
Surf Forecasts:
Poldhu Cove surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, WNW swell with 1,299 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 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Grab your board, but maybe leave it in the car for a bit. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for Poldhu Cove. We've got a solid stretch of poor surf quality and messy winds that'll have you checking the cams more than waxing your rails. The first real window of anything even remotely surfable doesn't show up until mid-next week, and even then, it's a skinny window.
Right now, Friday morning starts things off with a 5ft W swell, but it's crossed up by a 15 km/h NW wind. Energy is weak at 430, period is a short 9 seconds, so it's all chop and no push. That pattern holds through the weekend. Saturday brings onshore SW winds and a 4-5ft W swell, but the wind kills it. Sunday, the swell bumps to 6ft with a 10-second period and energy jumps to 644, but it's cross-onshore and choppy. It's all messy. We've got a good four to five days of this junk.
The first real glimmer shows up on Wednesday the 16th, actually. Morning sees an 8ft WNW swell, a 10-second period, and a massive energy reading of 2207. The wind is cross-offshore at 25 km/h with clean conditions. This is a strong, powerful swell, but with that size, it's strictly for the experienced crew. Beginners, sit this one out. The afternoon backs off to 6ft and the wind swings cross-shore, making it lumpy again. So, if you're an expert, that Wednesday morning session is your standout. That's your one.
After that, it falls apart again. Thursday and Friday get small and messy. There's a little whisper of hope on Saturday the 19th with a cross-offshore ESE breeze and clean 4ft waves, but the energy is weak at 327, so it's not exactly firing. That's about as good as it gets for the second week.
The end of the month is just a write-off, with strong onshore winds and a lot of blown-out, lumpy conditions. The 25th has some size – 6ft with a long 13-second period and 1200 energy – but the winds are onshore and strong, making it a complete mess for surfing. Honestly, that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The water temperature is 64°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least the wait won't be freezing. But as it stands, you're looking at a long, frustrating spell. Wednesday morning is the one. Keep your expectations low for the rest of it.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun night, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Mon afternoon, strong winds from the NW by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 8 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
430 | 304 | 187 | 201 | 335 | 694 | 637 | 426 | 288 | 189 | 181 | 165 | 598 | 542 | 1055 | 1234 | 749 | 432 | 279 | 85 | 238 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 5:44PM5.04m | 6:05AM4.85m | 6:22PM5.09m | 6:41AM4.89m | 6:58PM5.01m | 7:16AM4.81m | 7:33PM4.82m | 7:51AM4.64m | 8:08PM4.53m | 8:25AM4.38m | 8:44PM4.18m | 9:02AM4.05m | 9:23PM3.81m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:07PM0.01m | 00:31AM-0.16m | 12:46PM-0.08m | 1:08AM-0.15m | 1:23PM-0.04m | 1:43AM-0.01m | 1:58PM0.11m | 2:17AM0.23m | 2:33PM0.36m | 2:50AM0.54m | 3:07PM0.67m | 3:24AM0.88m | 3:44PM1.01m | ||||||||
6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | S 15 | S 14 | SW 13 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 |
430 | 304 | 187 | 201 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 426 | 288 | 189 | 181 | 165 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 973 | 749 | 432 | 279 | 85 | 238 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 16 | — | W 15 | S 15 | — | — | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | W 12 | S 11 | S 11 | — | — | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | — | W 12 |
— | 5 | — | 17 | 4 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 25 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | 130 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 15 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | — | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | S 13 | — | — | S 13 |
— | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 3 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | S 3 | WNW 10 | WNW 8 | W 9 | WNW 10 | NNW 6 | — | — | WNW 6 | — |
— | — | — | 3 | 335 | 694 | 637 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 598 | 542 | 1055 | 1234 | 8 | — | — | 56 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 68 | 13 | 22 | 23 | 189 | 45 | 183 | 200 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 726 | 1533 | 192 | 107 | 107 | 189 | 394 | 192 | 191 |
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.










