Surf Forecasts:
Porthtowan surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, N swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, WNW swell with 449 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with N 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Porthtowan in the next 16 days are 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Porthtowan over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mate, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Porthtowan over the next couple of weeks. Straight up – it’s a bit of a bummer. This stretch runs from Saturday morning the 18th of July all the way through to Sunday the 2nd of August, and there isn’t a single moment that’s worth paddling out for. That’s a solid 16-day gap with no decent surf. Now, Porthtowan is usually a fairly consistent little beginner spot, so this kind of blank run isn’t typical – it’s more of a weird spell. The water’s sitting at 64°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for July – feels a bit bath-like, but that’s about the only positive.
Let’s run through the days. From Saturday the 18th through to Thursday the 23rd, we’ve got tiny swell – maxing out around 3ft – coming from the north, with periods between 4 and 6 seconds. That’s short-period, weak energy. The combined energy is barely scraping 36 to 93 – all two-digit numbers, so weak. Winds are mostly cross-on or onshore, making things choppy. The whole time it’s flagged as “poor surf conditions.” Even the clean moments on Sunday morning the 19th and Monday morning the 20th with offshore or cross-off winds don’t save it because there’s hardly any swell to work with.
Then Saturday the 25th sees a sudden jump in swell size – 7ft on the morning, coming from the WNW with a period of 7 seconds. Energy hits 411 – moderate now. But the wind is onshore from the NNW at 16 mph, so it’s messy. That size is too big for beginners anyway, and with onshore wind it’s just lumpy. The afternoon drops to 6ft, still onshore. Not a great window.
After that, from Sunday the 26th through to the 2nd of August, it’s back to small stuff – under 4ft – with occasional cross-on or onshore breezes. A few cleaner windows appear around the 29th of July and 1st of August, but the swell is tiny (2–3ft) and energy is weak. The last few days have some offshore wind from the ESE, but the swell is pathetic.
So, bottom line – nothing worth waxing up for. But forecasts change, and Porthtowan usually delivers more often than this, so don’t lose hope entirely. For now, save the board.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 4 | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 5 | WNW 12 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 5 | N 6 | WNW 10 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 18 | 36 | 78 | 41 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 34 | 62 | 37 | 49 | 34 | 64 | 59 | 111 | 52 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 227 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 9:02PM6.40m | 9:26AM5.89m | 9:47PM6.02m | 10:10AM5.54m | 10:32PM5.58m | 10:57AM5.17m | 11:21PM5.12m | 11:50AM4.83m | 00:18AM4.74m | 12:52PM4.59m | 1:26AM4.50m | 2:03PM4.50m | 2:39AM4.47m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:02PM0.40m | 3:31AM0.46m | 3:45PM0.71m | 4:14AM0.83m | 4:29PM1.08m | 4:58AM1.24m | 5:16PM1.47m | 5:45AM1.62m | 6:09PM1.82m | 6:41AM1.93m | 7:14PM2.05m | 7:50AM2.10m | 8:30PM2.11m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 15 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 6 | N 5 | SSE 5 | N 5 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | N 5 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | N 5 | W 8 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 12 | 11 | 10 | 41 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 24 | 38 | 37 | 33 | 31 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | WNW 11 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | W 8 | N 5 | W 11 |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 33 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | SW 5 | S 21 | W 10 | SW 19 | WNW 12 | W 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | — | — | — | SW 14 | SW 14 | — | SW 13 | SW 13 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 8 | 8 | — | 7 | 7 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | N 5 | N 6 | SE 3 | SE 5 | N 4 | — | N 5 | N 6 | — | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | NNW 4 | — | WNW 3 | WNW 6 |
| kJ | 18 | 36 | 78 | 4 | 8 | 13 | — | 34 | 62 | — | 49 | 34 | 64 | 59 | 111 | 52 | 21 | 6 | — | 3 | 227 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 416 | 586 | 75 | 394 | 299 | 394 | 38 | 38 | 228 | 15 | 22 | 353 | 394 | 696 | 228 | 15 | 543 | 505 | 416 | 790 | 280 |
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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