
Surf Forecasts:
Poldhu Cove surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period, WNW swell with 440 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Poldhu Cove this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Poldhu Cove in the next 16 days are 2.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Poldhu Cove has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I’ve got to be straight with you – the next week and a half is looking pretty flat. There’s a real gap in the surf here. The first week is basically a write-off for any kind of decent wave. We’re looking at tiny, weak swells, mostly around 0.7 ft to 1 ft, with combined swell energy barely cracking 30 (weak). It’s just not enough to paddle for. The water temperature is sitting at 66°, which is a notable 5° warmer than usual for this time of year – feels like a bath out there, but don’t get your hopes up for the waves.
The first real pulse of energy shows up on Saturday, the 25th of July. That morning, we see a jump in the swell to 7 ft from the WNW, with a short period of 7 seconds. The combined energy climbs to 445 (moderate to strong). That’s a lot of moving water, but with that short period, it’s going to be a bit of a washing machine. The wind is a cross-shore from the NW at 15 mph, which will keep it a bit lumpy. This is expert territory at that size, but it’s the only real swell on offer.
If you’re looking for a standout, I’d hold out for the morning of Saturday, the 25th. It’s the biggest swell of the whole outlook, and while the conditions won’t be perfect, it’s the only time we see any significant swell height. The combined energy is 445, which is a massive jump from the rest of the period. The direction is a solid WNW, which is right in the zone for Poldhu Cove. The downside is the short period (7 seconds) and the onshore/cross-shore wind, so don’t expect glassy perfection. This is a window for experienced surfers only.
After that, it drops back down quickly. The 26th and 27th have some 3 ft to 4 ft waves, but the energy falls off (down to 107 and 102) and the wind stays messy. By the 30th and 31st of July, we get some glassy mornings and light offshore winds, which is a treat, but the swell is back to 1.0 ft to 1 ft. It’s clean, but there’s no power.
Honestly, for the first nine days, I’d say leave the board at home unless you’re a beginner happy to bob around on nothing. The 25th is the only window that gets my heart beating, and even then, it’s a short, punchy groundswell that might be more of a challenge than a pleasure. The rest of the time, it’s a waiting game. Keep an eye on the forecasts, these things can change.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 17°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the N by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
12 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 22 | 35 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 114 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:37PM4.81m | 9:02AM4.36m | 9:23PM4.53m | 9:49AM4.12m | 10:11PM4.21m | 10:40AM3.88m | 11:04PM3.88m | 11:38AM3.66m | 00:06AM3.62m | 12:43PM3.52m | 1:14AM3.47m | 1:50PM3.49m | 2:20AM3.45m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:56PM0.17m | 3:25AM0.18m | 3:39PM0.42m | 4:08AM0.48m | 4:23PM0.72m | 4:50AM0.81m | 5:08PM1.04m | 5:36AM1.12m | 5:58PM1.32m | 6:29AM1.38m | 7:01PM1.53m | 7:35AM1.54m | 8:19PM1.59m | ||||||||
5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:15 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 19 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | E 5 | E 4 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | NNW 4 | E 5 | E 5 | W 8 | W 8 | SW 12 |
12 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 13 | 3 | 22 | 35 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | SW 11 | — | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | W 11 | NNW 6 | ESE 4 | NW 5 | NW 6 | — | — | S 15 | SW 14 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | E 4 | — | W 11 |
1 | 5 | — | 4 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 8 | — | — | 4 | 8 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 2 | — | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 5 | SW 12 | W 10 | W 10 | W 12 | NNW 4 | W 8 | W 8 | E 4 | — | S 16 | S 16 | — | — | SW 14 | S 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 13 | — |
5 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | 5 | 5 | — | — | 8 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 3 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | NNW 3 | — | — | NNW 6 | — | — | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NE 3 | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | — | WNW 3 | WNW 6 |
3 | 10 | 25 | 17 | 32 | 3 | — | — | 18 | — | — | 10 | 21 | 19 | 25 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 114 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 430 | 612 | 98 | 412 | 313 | 409 | 31 | 31 | 201 | 31 | 11 | 380 | 412 | 672 | 201 | 41 | 551 | 525 | 430 | 763 | 295 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Poldhu Cove Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Poldhu Cove provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Poldhu Cove can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Poldhu Cove surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Poldhu Cove) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Poldhu Cove may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Poldhu Cove is 12 km (7 miles) from The Lizard. If you plan a holiday in South Cornwall, look for hotels and other accommodation in The Lizard. The Lizard has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










