Surf Forecasts:
Poldhu Cove surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, WNW swell with 979 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 10s 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 2.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break down the situation at Poldhu Cove for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a rough stretch. We’ve got a huge gap, nearly two weeks, where there’s nothing worth getting excited about. Just a lot of flat, blown-out days.
The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting around 66°F, which is about 3°F above average. Feels alright, but the waves won’t.
The only real light at the end of the tunnel is on September 4th. For that Friday morning, we’re looking at a solid 10ft swell out of the west with a 9-second period, packing some strong energy. The wind finally plays ball – a light offshore breeze from the northeast at 9 mph, which will clean everything right up. That afternoon gets even better, with the same 10ft west swell, stronger energy, and a light offshore from the north-northeast. This is expert territory only – that’s a big wave, over 8ft, and it’ll need someone who knows what they’re doing.
Before that? Forget it. Even when we get some size, like a 10ft to 13ft bump around August 29th, the winds are onshore or cross-onshore, shredding any chance of a decent wave. That kind of setup is more for kite surfing than a surfboard. It’s a long dry spell, but it’s pretty normal for this area to have these quiet periods. Keep the board waxed, but don’t expect much until that first week of September.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Thu morning, light winds from the N by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Mon morning, light winds from the S by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | WNW 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | WSW 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 9 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 8 | SSW 8 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 847 | 979 | 529 | 215 | 140 | 68 | 52 | 27 | 42 | 38 | 38 | 39 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 33 | 42 | 56 | 257 | 394 | 325 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on |
High Tide | 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 | 4:14PM3.91m | 4:34AM3.89m | 4:52PM4.21m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:25AM1.22m | 10:53PM1.02m | 11:06AM0.90m | 11:30PM0.70m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:17 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 3 | 4 | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | WSW 9 | E 5 | SSW 14 | SW 11 | ESE 5 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | E 6 | W 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | W 9 |
| kJ | 21 | 755 | 529 | 215 | 140 | 68 | 52 | 27 | 11 | 38 | 30 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 33 | 26 | 56 | 257 | 394 | 325 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | NW 8 | NNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 14 | SW 9 | SW 9 | W 9 | WNW 11 | SW 8 | W 9 | SSW 8 | W 9 | W 8 | SSW 8 |
| kJ | — | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 36 | 15 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 38 | 22 | 13 | 6 | 12 | 17 | 42 | 45 | 56 | 240 | 145 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | NNW 6 | SSW 15 | NW 6 | W 6 | SSW 14 | W 9 | SW 9 | SW 8 | W 8 | SSW 8 | E 5 | SW 12 | W 10 | SE 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 5 | 10 | 24 | 21 | 6 | 42 | 2 | 1 | 39 | 6 | 13 | 11 | 5 | 23 | 2 | 6 | 72 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | WNW 9 | — | N 3 | NNW 4 | NNE 3 | — | E 5 | — | E 4 | ESE 5 | — | ESE 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | WSW 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 847 | 979 | — | 7 | 10 | 2 | — | 20 | — | 9 | 17 | — | 122 | 360 | 196 | 113 | 4 | 34 | 240 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 530 | 189 | 0 | 89 | 13 | 0 | 16 | 26 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 394 | 165 | 223 | 24 | 32 | 25 | 188 | 145 | 23 |
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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