
Surf Forecasts:
Poldhu Cove surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, W swell with 111 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period with WNW 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 (Jul 31) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s 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 0.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the window ahead for Poldhu Cove.
To be straight with you, the next week and a half is a bit of a struggle. The run of small, weak swell and messy winds just doesn't want to let go. We’ve got a long stretch here with barely anything to get excited about. The water is sitting at 67° which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, which is nice when you’re sitting out there waiting, but you’ll be doing a lot of waiting.
Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th are write-offs. Tiny swell around 2ft to 2ft, cross-shore winds, and poor surf conditions. Friday morning the 31st offers a brief glimmer with a 3ft swell from the WNW, a light cross-off breeze making it clean, and a touch of energy (84). But it’s only surfable, not good, and it’s inconsistent. The afternoon gets messy again. Saturday and Sunday, August 1st and 2nd, stay poor even though Sunday afternoon goes glassy – still, there’s barely a wave on those 1ft to 2ft blips.
Monday the 3rd through to Thursday morning the 13th is just a long, drawn-out run of tiny surf (mostly 1ft to 3ft) with light to fresh breezes and poor conditions flagged for almost every session. There’s the odd clean window, like on the 2nd and 3rd, but the swell is just too weak – combined energy is mostly below 100. It’s a frustrating stretch for anyone trying to get wet.
Now, there is something on the horizon. Friday the 7th of August sees a big pulse of swell arrive – we’re talking 8ft to 10ft from the WSW, with combined energy shooting up to 828 and 1271. That is serious power. But it’s all cross-onshore wind and poor surf conditions, so that’s a miss for us paddlers. If you’ve got a kite, that Friday might be more your scene.
The real standout, and the only one I’d mark on the calendar, is Saturday the 8th of August. The morning session looks good. We get a 5ft swell from the W, nice and clean under a light cross-off breeze from the east. The energy is strong at 595, the period is a solid 9 seconds, and winds are light. This will be the best the cove looks in the whole run. The swell direction is a touch off the optimum (SW), but the size and clean conditions make it the clear winner. Exposed as it is, when the wind is right, it works. It’s inconsistent here, but when it comes in clean like that, it’s worth the wait. Expect a few others out there too – crowds are sometimes a thing at Poldhu.
After that, Sunday the 9th to Wednesday the 13th drops back into poor and small conditions, with energy falling away. Thursday the 13th morning gives a “surfable” nod with a 3ft swell and clean winds, but energy is low (70). It’s not the same quality as that Saturday morning.
If you’re a beginner, the 5ft on Saturday is doable, but keep in mind the inconsistent nature means you’ll be paddling around a lot. The bigger stuff on the 7th is for experts only, but the wind ruins it anyway. So, for everyone, circle Saturday 8th August morning – that’s your window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WSW 11 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
73 | 71 | 111 | 48 | 31 | 31 | 78 | 18 | 37 | 42 | 57 | 49 | 36 | 24 | 41 | 40 | 48 | 45 | 14 | 14 | 12 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 5:48PM4.37m | 6:05AM4.22m | 6:22PM4.53m | 6:39AM4.34m | 6:55PM4.64m | 7:11AM4.41m | 7:27PM4.70m | 7:44AM4.43m | 8:01PM4.68m | 8:20AM4.41m | 8:37PM4.60m | 8:58AM4.32m | 9:18PM4.44m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:08PM0.69m | 00:32AM0.57m | 12:43PM0.51m | 1:07AM0.41m | 1:18PM0.40m | 1:41AM0.32m | 1:52PM0.35m | 2:16AM0.30m | 2:28PM0.38m | 2:52AM0.34m | 3:04PM0.47m | 3:29AM0.46m | 3:44PM0.62m | ||||||||
5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 17 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | W 8 | S 5 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WSW 11 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | E 5 | E 6 | SW 7 | E 7 | E 7 |
73 | 71 | 1 | 48 | 31 | 31 | 78 | 18 | 37 | 42 | 57 | 49 | 36 | 24 | 41 | 40 | 23 | 37 | 14 | 96 | 31 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 6 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | — | S 12 | WNW 7 | S 12 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | NW 4 | NW 6 | SW 8 | W 10 | NNW 5 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | W 9 | SW 7 | SW 7 |
1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 17 | 8 | 2 | 48 | 45 | 7 | 14 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | — | — | — | W 12 | W 12 | W 7 | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | E 7 | NNW 4 | N 5 | W 9 | W 9 |
3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 2 | W 8 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | NNW 2 | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | — | — | NNW 4 | E 3 | — | — | E 6 | — | — |
— | 1 | 111 | 28 | 29 | 20 | — | 1 | 30 | 17 | 9 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 98 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 189 | 189 | 192 | 231 | 193 | 0 | 231 | 13 | 24 | 29 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 256 | 11 | 31 | 11 | 295 | 129 | 276 |
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.










