Surf Forecasts:
Poldhu Cove surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 13s period, W swell with 1,634 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Poldhu Cove this week:
The surf forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Poldhu Cove in the next 16 days are 2.2m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s chew the fat about Poldhu Cove. It’s a bit of a mixed bag at the start, and I’ll be honest, the first week looks like a washout.
We’re starting today, Monday the 31st of August, with a solid 10ft west swell that’s got some serious grunt, but the wind is a cross-shore mess. The water is a touch warmer than the norm at 64°. This is big stuff, over 8ft, so it’s for the experienced crew only, and even then, it’ll be a battle. The afternoon drops to about 8ft, but the wind doesn't let up.
The entire first week into the second is a bust. Swell heights bounce from 3ft to 6ft, but the wind is constantly onshore or blowing across the wave face, making everything choppy. The swell periods are short, mostly in the 6 to 9 second range, so the waves are weak and crumbly. It’s a tough stretch with no real windows.
The first real glimmer comes on Monday the 7th of September. Swell drops right off, but we get a 5ft, 12-second period groundswell from the west in the afternoon. The wind is cross-shore, so it’s not clean, but it’s a step in the right direction.
The true standout, and the one to wake up early for, is two weeks out: Monday the 14th of September. The morning is the pick of the entire forecast. We’re looking at a 5ft west swell, but the period is a monster 17 seconds. That’s a very long-period groundswell, and the energy is massive. With a light cross-shore breeze, it could be absolutely firing. The waves will have incredible power and shape, but with that long period, it might break a little straight across the beach, so look for the points of the bar. The afternoon of that same day gets blown out by a stronger cross-onshore wind, so it’s a dawn patrol mission.
The following Tuesday, the 15th, sees another big 10ft swell, but it’s accompanied by a strong onshore wind, turning it into a washing machine for the surfers and a playground for the kite crew.
So, the bottom line: the first week is a write-off. The second week has a few so-so days, but the absolute standout is the morning of Monday the 14th of September. If that holds, it’ll be the session of the month. For the rest, keep your board in the van.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Mon night, fresh winds from the SW by Wed morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the NE by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1581 | 1184 | 463 | 225 | 153 | 134 | 107 | 426 | 316 | 318 | 346 | 422 | 440 | 679 | 1634 | 1045 | 628 | 296 | 148 | 79 | 51 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | off | cross | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 7:34PM4.92m | 7:53AM4.71m | 8:11PM4.78m | 8:31AM4.57m | 8:52PM4.54m | 9:15AM4.34m | 9:40PM4.21m | 10:08AM4.04m | 10:41PM3.85m | 11:20AM3.76m | 00:07AM3.59m | 12:55PM3.67m | 1:45AM3.60m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:01PM0.14m | 2:23AM0.14m | 2:39PM0.26m | 3:01AM0.32m | 3:19PM0.46m | 3:43AM0.58m | 4:06PM0.73m | 4:32AM0.90m | 5:02PM1.02m | 5:34AM1.19m | 6:15PM1.25m | 6:56AM1.35m | 7:48PM1.26m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | | | | | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:54 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | SW 17 | SW 16 | W 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | W 13 | SSW 14 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 |
| kJ | 1581 | 1184 | 463 | 225 | 12 | 10 | 29 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 45 | 22 | 20 | 125 | 20 | 1045 | 628 | 296 | 148 | 79 | 51 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 6 | S 18 | SW 17 | S 11 | SSW 16 | S 10 | S 18 | S 9 | — | S 9 | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 6 |
| kJ | — | — | 26 | 6 | 12 | 2 | 25 | 2 | 6 | 2 | — | 1 | — | 20 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 18 | — | — | — | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 5 | — | SW 12 |
| kJ | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 8 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 13 | — | — | — | SE 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 153 | 134 | 107 | 426 | 316 | 318 | 346 | 422 | 440 | 679 | 1634 | — | — | — | 3 | 6 | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 192 | 192 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 189 | 254 | 23 | 45 | 254 | 13 | 224 | 192 | 189 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 23 | 32 | 26 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
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