Surf Forecasts:
Porthtowan surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, WNW swell with 334 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Porthtowan this week:
The surf forecast for Porthtowan over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Porthtowan in the next 16 days are 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 18s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sun 26th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Porthtowan over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for Porthtowan over the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, the first week is a real struggle. From Thursday 23rd July right through to the end of the month, we’re looking at a long stretch of poor surf. The swell is small, weak, and the wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, making things choppy and messy. There’s no real reason to get wet until the very end of that period. You’ll be waiting a good while.
The first real glimmer of hope comes right at the start of August. Saturday 1st August things finally start to change. We’ve got a proper swell filling in from the WNW, building to 8ft on the Saturday morning with a period of 10 seconds, and the wind is looking clean, coming out of the S-SSW as a cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy jumps to 1374 (moderate wave energy) – that’s a proper pulse of energy. By Saturday afternoon, the swell pushes to 10ft, which is solid, expert-only territory. The water’s a touch warmer than average for this time of year, sitting at 65°F.
Now, the standout? Sunday 2nd August morning is your best bet. We’ve got a 7ft swell from the W, period of 10 seconds, and a light SSW wind, cross-offshore. The conditions are described as "clean" and the combined energy is a solid 867 (moderate wave energy). This is the one to circle. The swell direction is a perfect match for the optimum WNW direction for the break. It’s still a big swell, so only for the experienced crew, but the wave quality should be there. The wind is clean, the swell has some punch.
Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th August see the swell drop right back, with small, weak waves and fresh cross-shore winds making it lumpy. After that, it’s back to very small, poor conditions through to the end of the forecast. So, the window is tight. Focus on that Sunday 2nd August morning.
Stay tuned, forecasts can shift, but for now, that’s the story.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Sun afternoon, calm by Tue morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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) | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | N 4 | NNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 31 | 35 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 33 | 64 | 220 | 316 | 310 | 257 | 73 | 65 | 81 | 57 | 56 | 36 | 59 | 73 | 111 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | glassy | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:26AM4.50m | 2:03PM4.50m | 2:39AM4.47m | 3:12PM4.61m | 3:43AM4.63m | 4:10PM4.85m | 4:35AM4.88m | 4:57PM5.16m | 5:18AM5.17m | 5:37PM5.49m | 5:56AM5.44m | 6:14PM5.78m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:14PM2.05m | 7:50AM2.10m | 8:30PM2.11m | 9:03AM2.07m | 9:40PM1.97m | 10:06AM1.88m | 10:37PM1.71m | 10:56AM1.59m | 11:22PM1.41m | 11:37AM1.29m | 00:02AM1.11m | 12:14PM1.00m | 00:37AM0.86m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — |
 | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:08 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 23 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 20 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 23 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 9 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 6 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 13 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 257 | 73 | 36 | 81 | 57 | 56 | 36 | 59 | 73 | 111 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 10 | SW 12 | S 18 | — | S 16 | S 12 | SW 12 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | N 5 | — | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | S 13 | S 13 |
| kJ | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 6 | — | 5 | 3 | 6 | 62 | 65 | 2 | — | 3 | 10 | 20 | 3 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | — | SW 13 | W 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | N 5 | N 4 | S 15 | S 12 | — | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | — |
| kJ | 8 | — | 7 | 3 | 6 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 3 | 4 | 3 | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | N 4 | NNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | N 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 2 | NNE 3 |
| kJ | 31 | 35 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 33 | 64 | 220 | 316 | 310 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 737 | 503 | 416 | 745 | 521 | 749 | 392 | 553 | 218 | 235 | 23 | 22 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Cornwall | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Porthtowan Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Porthtowan provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Porthtowan can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Porthtowan 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 (Porthtowan) 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 Porthtowan 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.
Porthtowan is 8 km (5 miles) from Camborne. If you plan a holiday in North Cornwall, look for hotels and other accommodation in Camborne. Camborne has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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