Surf Forecasts:
Poldhu Cove surf forecast from 19 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, 1PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period, W swell with 912 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 2.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 10PM.
| 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 | 1PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – this 16-day window for Poldhu Cove is a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of nothing special, with a whole lot of “poor surf conditions” in the data. The water is sitting at 66°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least the temperature’s on your side.
The first real chance of anything surfable doesn't pop up until Saturday the 22nd, and even then it’s a small one. Saturday morning you’ll find tiny 2ft waves from the west with a gentle offshore breeze, making for clean conditions. Combined energy is only at 72 (weak), so it’s more of a longboard or foiling session than anything with punch. That window fades fast and by the afternoon the swell drops to 1ft, so don’t sleep in.
After that, we hit a big dead zone. From Sunday the 23rd right through to the end of the month, it’s a blank run. The swell goes flat, with waves under 2ft and clean but weak conditions. The wind stays cross-off or offshore, but there’s simply no energy to work with. Combined energy readings are in the 20s and 30s – basically a lake.
We do get a pulse of size around Wednesday the 3rd of September when the swell jumps to 13ft from the southwest (combined energy of 2937 – strong), but unfortunately that’s paired with a fresh cross-onshore breeze and lumpy surf. At that size, it’s an expert-only beast, and the wind is going to make it a mess. It’s a long-range call, so take it with a grain of salt, but if you’re a big-wave charger hoping for a clean window, you’ll be disappointed.
Honestly, this stretch is more interesting for the kite surfers than paddle surfers – decent wind, not much in the way of quality waves. For now, the best you’ll get is that Saturday morning window, but don’t expect much.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Thu morning, light winds from the NNE by Fri night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the E by Mon night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WSW 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | S 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 414 | 659 | 865 | 836 | 529 | 220 | 140 | 94 | 51 | 26 | 42 | 19 | 40 | 40 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 31 | 104 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | 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 | on |
High Tide | 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 | 4:14PM3.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:25AM1.22m | 10:53PM1.02m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | |  | |  |  | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:20 | — |
mm | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 6 |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | E 4 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 14 | SE 4 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | E 7 | WNW 10 | S 6 |
| kJ | 24 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 529 | 220 | 140 | 94 | 51 | 9 | 24 | 14 | 40 | 5 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 198 | 31 | 104 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | NNW 6 | WSW 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | W 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | W 9 | W 11 | WNW 10 | SW 8 | SSW 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 18 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 11 | 26 | 42 | 19 | 12 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 20 | 9 | 71 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | SSW 14 | W 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SSW 13 | W 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 10 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 3 | 3 | — | 40 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 17 | 43 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | — | N 3 | NNW 4 | — | ENE 2 | — | ENE 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 | NE 2 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | E 7 | — | ESE 7 | — |
| kJ | 414 | 659 | 865 | 836 | — | 7 | 10 | — | 1 | — | 6 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 102 | 310 | 619 | — | 73 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 189 | 530 | 186 | 189 | 0 | 89 | 201 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 224 | 172 | 400 | 400 | 189 | 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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