
Surf Forecasts:
Poldhu Cove surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, W swell with 1,004 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period with WSW 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 (Sep 11) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 10s period. 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 (Sep 10) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s cut through the noise and get to what matters – the surf for our stretch of coast.
The next 16 days are a real mixed bag. We’ve got a long stretch of blown-out, messy conditions right at the start, so don’t get your hopes up for a quick paddle out. It’s not until later in the first week that we see a real change. The standout window is right at the end of the period, around the 20th, with a big, powerful groundswell, but it’s a way off so we’ll have to keep our fingers crossed that the forecast holds.
The first real glimmer of hope shows up on Friday morning, the 11th. A light NNW cross-offshore breeze should clean things up. We’re looking at a 5ft swell from the W with a 9-second period, and wave energy is moderate at 380. It’s the best we’ve seen up to that point, but more of a sign of things to come than a full-on classic. It’s a small window, so if you can, get on it early.
We then fall back into that same onshore funk through the 12th, 13th, and 14th, with SW and W winds ruining what could be decent waves. There’s energy around in the 300-400 range at times, but it’s all chop and blown-out. Not worth the rubber.
The morning of the 16th looks cleaner on paper with a strong N cross-offshore wind, but the swell is still a bit jumbled and mixed. The same can be said for the morning of the 18th, which is a little less strong and a touch cleaner. Still, we’re just trying to find something rideable.
But the one to circle on the calendar is Sunday the 20th. Look at this: a big, powerful W swell with a 15-second period out of the west-northwest. The energy is in the very strong range at 2032. This is the one. The wave height is a chunky 6ft, and with the light WNW cross-shore wind in the morning, it could be proper. The period is long, which means it's a groundswell with real push and shape, best handled at a reef or point break rather than a beach break that might close out. This is a standout and worth waiting for, even if it's over a week away.
Now, this being Poldhu Cove, it’s a break that doesn’t fire all that often, so when it does, you want to make the most of it. It’s exposed to the swell but is inconsistent, so patience is key. The water is sitting at a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you might get away with a slightly thinner suit.
The 19th and 21st are a bit more everyday, with WSW winds making things messy. The 22nd and 23rd see a shift to offshore E winds, which will clean things up but the swell drops way off. That’s the trade-off we often get around here.
So, my call is simple: don’t waste your energy on the first week unless you’re desperate. The real focus is on that Sunday the 20th. That’s the one that has the size, the period, and the potential to be a proper session. It’s a long way out, so we’ll see, but it’s got my attention.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu night, min 15°C on Wed afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Thu morning, light winds from the W by Fri night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun night, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WSW 5 | W 8 | WSW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
222 | 101 | 38 | 459 | 790 | 380 | 263 | 157 | 239 | 347 | 826 | 459 | 325 | 225 | 164 | 157 | 133 | 122 | 378 | 460 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:20PM4.57m | 4:46AM4.47m | 5:04PM4.86m | 5:27AM4.71m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:08PM0.24m | 11:25AM0.23m | 11:51PM-0.02m | 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 | |||||||
— | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
7:49 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WSW 8 | W 11 | WSW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 15 | W 13 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | W 12 |
222 | 101 | 19 | 22 | 790 | 380 | 263 | 157 | 17 | 32 | 826 | 459 | 325 | 225 | 164 | 157 | 133 | 122 | 378 | 103 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | S 16 | W 18 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SW 12 | W 12 | W 11 | S 11 | S 6 |
84 | 54 | 22 | — | — | — | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 59 | 2 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 15 | — | W 12 | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | S 15 | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | — | S 11 |
4 | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 5 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 |
— | — | 38 | 459 | — | — | — | — | 239 | 347 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 460 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 22 | 254 | 188 | 18 | 0 | 13 | 22 | 23 | 168 | 189 | 13 | 13 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 11 | 89 |
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.










