Surf Forecasts:
Porthtowan surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, W swell with 388 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Porthtowan in the next 16 days are 1.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
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 cards for Porthtowan.
To be brutally honest, the next ten days or so are looking pretty flat and frustrating. The models are showing scraps of swell, but the wind is just not playing ball for most of it. You’re looking at a long stretch of tiny, weak waves and onshore slop. Things get a little more interesting in the second week, but it’s a test of patience.
The first real glimmer of hope comes around Wednesday, 12th August. The morning sees a pulse of 4ft swell from the W, with a period of 10 seconds and moderate wave energy (226). It's still cross-onshore, but it's the first sign of life. The afternoon builds slightly to 4ft from the WSW, with a period of 9 seconds and energy up to 238. The wind is still cross-onshore, but at least it’s not a total washout. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, coming in at 66°F.
Things clean up a bit for Thursday, 13th August. The morning offers 4ft swell from the W with a 10-second period and solid energy (332) – that’s the most energy we’ve seen. The wind is offshore out of the NW, so the morning session could be the standout of the whole two weeks. That’s the one to circle on the calendar.
After that, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The swell drops off again for the weekend, but the wind stays messy. Into the second week, Monday, 17th August has a decent 4ft swell from the W with a 9-second period and strong energy (289), but the wind is cross-onshore from the NNE, so it’ll be bumpy. The afternoon sees the energy jump to 301, but the wind picks up to 16 mph from the N, making it choppy.
The only real glassy moment comes on Tuesday, 18th August morning. There’s a tiny 3ft swell from the N with a short 6-second period (140 energy), but the wind is dead calm. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. After that, the whole forecast fizzles out into tiny, wind-affected dribble.
So, the best bet is Thursday morning, 13th August. That’s the pick. Get on it because the rest of the window is a write-off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 18°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | W 6 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 11 | W 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 77 | 30 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 22 | 30 | 32 | 15 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 33 | 19 | 18 | 84 | 226 | 238 | 202 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | cross | off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:00AM5.27m | 11:30PM5.22m | 12:05PM5.02m | 00:44AM4.96m | 1:26PM4.93m | 2:09AM4.95m | 2:49PM5.12m | 3:28AM5.21m | 4:00PM5.54m | 4:32AM5.62m | 4:57PM6.03m | 5:25AM6.02m | 5:47PM6.47m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:17PM1.42m | 5:53AM1.54m | 6:29PM1.65m | 7:13AM1.71m | 7:59PM1.68m | 8:42AM1.63m | 9:25PM1.41m | 9:58AM1.29m | 10:34PM0.96m | 10:59AM0.85m | 11:30PM0.50m | 11:49AM0.44m | 00:17AM0.14m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 20 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | W 6 | N 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 11 | W 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 |
| kJ | 77 | 30 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 15 | 22 | 30 | 32 | 15 | 25 | 26 | 13 | 9 | 33 | 19 | 18 | 84 | 226 | 238 | 202 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | N 5 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 5 | W 9 | WSW 7 | SW 7 | WSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | W 9 | WNW 7 | E 4 | E 6 | W 11 |
| kJ | 7 | 7 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 23 | 22 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 123 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | SW 6 | N 5 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 7 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 6 | SW 6 | WNW 4 | W 10 | WSW 6 | SW 6 | — | — | E 5 |
| kJ | 18 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 2 | N 2 | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 23 | 228 | 401 | 401 | 392 | 197 | 38 | 38 | 22 | 385 | 40 | 281 | 40 | 219 | 22 | 38 | 197 | 0 | 16 | 34 | 17 |
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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