Surf Forecasts:
Poldhu Cove surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, SW swell with 1,716 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Poldhu Cove in the next 16 days are 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Poldhu Cove for the next 16 days. I’m not gonna lie, it’s a tough stretch for most of the period. The water’s sitting at 66°, which is a touch warmer than usual for the time of year, but that’s about the only thing that’s friendly.
The first few days are a no-go. Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th are a mess – strong cross-onshore winds up to 19 mph, lumpy, choppy, poor surf. Thursday the 20th brings a bit more size, with swell around 7ft to 7ft out of the west, but the wind is still cross, and the energy is moderate (804 in the morning), though all it does is make it a choppy, lumpy mess. Not worth it.
We finally get a break on Friday morning, the 21st. Now this is more like it. The wind swings to the northeast, blowing offshore at 12 mph, and with a 4ft west swell moving at a 9-second period, the conditions finally turn clean. The energy is weak (199), but it’s surfable. It’s not a standout, but it’s your first real chance.
Then we hit a massive gap. From Friday afternoon right through the end of the first week and into the second, it’s tiny, weak, or blown out. Saturday the 22nd drops to 2ft, and by Sunday the 23rd we’re down to 0.7ft. That’s a solid 5-day lull with nothing worth your time.
Now, the real standout is on Thursday the 27th of August. This is the one to circle. Thursday morning, we’ve got a 8ft west swell rolling in with a 9-second period, and the wind is light, coming from the north at 6 mph. That’s a clean, offshore flow. The energy is pumping in at 1412 – that’s strong stuff. The water’s still a touch warmer than normal. This is excellent surf, but at 8ft, it’s for experienced surfers only. The direction is from the west, which is a bit off the optimum SW for Poldhu Cove, but with that clarity and power, it’s still the best session on offer by a long shot. This is your day.
The rest of the second week fades out. Friday the 28th is back to cross-winds and lumpy, Saturday the 29th is glassy in the morning but tiny at 4ft, and by Sunday the 30th we’re down to 3ft onshore. The first few days of September don’t bring any redemption either, with more cross-onshore winds and mediocre swell.
Bottom line: Poldhu Cove is suffering from a long, flat spell with a few small windows of cleanliness. The one true standout is Thursday the 27th – get on it if you’re an experienced surfer looking for some power. The rest of the time, you’re better off waiting for the next swell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the N by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 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 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | WNW 10 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WSW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | NW 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 5 | WSW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
161 | 148 | 146 | 287 | 370 | 453 | 783 | 700 | 388 | 177 | 111 | 26 | 41 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 47 | 1385 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 9:25PM4.22m | 9:47AM3.98m | 10:10PM3.84m | 10:36AM3.66m | 11:06PM3.49m | 11:42AM3.40m | 00:25AM3.26m | 1:09PM3.29m | 1:52AM3.23m | 2:28PM3.38m | 3:01AM3.38m | 3:28PM3.62m | 3:53AM3.62m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:44PM0.66m | 4:05AM0.83m | 4:23PM1.01m | 4:44AM1.18m | 5:07PM1.34m | 5:31AM1.50m | 6:05PM1.62m | 6:38AM1.72m | 7:29PM1.75m | 8:12AM1.74m | 9:05PM1.64m | 9:33AM1.53m | 10:08PM1.35m | ||||||||
6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 8:34 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | 3 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | W 9 | SSW 16 | WSW 10 | SSW 14 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WSW 9 | W 9 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 5 | W 9 | W 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | W 9 |
27 | 11 | 29 | 287 | 24 | 30 | 21 | 700 | 388 | 177 | 111 | 26 | 41 | 50 | 28 | 5 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 786 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 16 | — | SSW 15 | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | NNW 5 | WNW 6 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | — |
— | — | — | 24 | — | 22 | — | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 2 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 | E 4 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | W 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | E 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | NW 8 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | — | WNW 10 | W 8 | W 9 | — | — | NNE 6 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | E 4 | — | NNW 5 | NW 4 | NW 6 | N 3 | SW 2 | SW 5 | WSW 9 |
161 | 148 | 146 | — | 370 | 453 | 783 | — | — | 12 | 23 | 19 | 23 | — | 13 | 4 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 47 | 1385 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 256 | 408 | 183 | 183 | 192 | 189 | 177 | 186 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 98 | 8 | 11 | 106 | 180 | 11 | 31 | 31 | 24 | 22 |
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.











