Surf Forecasts:
Porthtowan surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, N swell with 89 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period with WNW 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 21) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Porthtowan in the next 16 days are 1.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
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 the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you: the next week and a half is pretty grim. There’s a big gap where the surf just isn’t doing us any favours. From the 16th of July right through to the 24th, we’re looking at tiny, weak waves or messy conditions. The swell is either too small, or the wind is blowing it all to bits. Even the few cleaner moments, like Sunday the 19th and Tuesday the 21st, have such tiny 1ft to 2ft surf that it’s barely worth paddling out for. The combo energy is weak, between 22 and 85 – it’s just not happening.
The real standout, the only time this window gets interesting, is around the 25th and 26th of July. That’s when we see a pulse of energy finally arrive. On Saturday the 25th, the swell bumps up to 4ft to 4ft, with a short period of 6 seconds. The energy jumps into the moderate zone (137 and 158). It’s not perfect, with onshore winds, but it’s the biggest push we’ve seen. The morning of Sunday the 26th holds at 4ft from the west, with a period of 7 seconds and a combined energy of 154. The wind is a cross-onshore, so it’ll be a bit lumpy, but for Porthtowan, this is the best we’ll get. After that, it drops off again.
The water temperature is sitting at 64°, which is a touch warmer than the long-term average for this time of year. Not a game-changer, but a nice little bonus.
So, my honest take? If you’re desperate for a paddle, the 25th and 26th of July are your only real shot. The rest of the period is a write-off for anything decent. Don’t force it – sometimes the ocean just needs a break.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the N by Sat afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 8 | SW 7 | N 5 | N 5 | SSW 13 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | N 4 | N 5 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 | N 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 12 | 14 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 35 | 50 | 89 | 30 | 20 | 41 | 19 | 44 | 38 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 15 | 19 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:33PM6.74m | 7:57AM6.34m | 8:18PM6.65m | 8:42AM6.17m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:34PM0.15m | 2:03AM0.03m | 2:18PM0.21m | 2:48AM0.18m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:23 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 22 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 21 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | SW 7 | SW 6 | N 5 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 6 | N 5 | SE 5 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | N 5 | N 5 | WNW 10 | N 4 | W 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | 3 | 11 | 6 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 30 | 20 | 4 | 12 | 24 | 38 | 20 | 13 | 30 | 9 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | SSW 13 | SW 5 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | W 7 | SE 6 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 16 | W 10 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 7 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 33 | 32 | 10 | 29 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | ESE 6 | SW 15 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 11 | SW 5 | — | S 21 | W 10 | W 7 | WNW 12 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 8 | SW 16 | SE 5 | SW 16 | S 15 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 12 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | 9 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 1 | 12 | 12 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | N 3 | N 5 | — | NNW 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | ESE 5 | — | N 5 | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | — | SE 3 | N 5 | — | N 4 | N 4 |
| kJ | 27 | 5 | 20 | — | 14 | 21 | 35 | 50 | 89 | 15 | — | 41 | 19 | 44 | 24 | — | 1 | 11 | — | 13 | 19 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 244 | 244 | 280 | 280 | 396 | 401 | 586 | 394 | 228 | 22 | 280 | 385 | 381 | 82 | 10 | 22 | 394 | 396 | 748 | 353 | |
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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