Surf Forecasts:
Porthtowan surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, WNW swell with 380 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Porthtowan this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Porthtowan in the next 16 days are 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Porthtowan over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, with a look at what's on the cards for our stretch of coast. Let’s be straight with each other.
Right now, the forecast is looking a bit quiet. The first real window of opportunity won't arrive for about a week and a half. We’ve got a long stretch of small, messy, and mostly cross-shore or onshore wind ahead, so don’t bother checking the surf cam until we get closer to the 24th of August. That’s where our one true standout lies.
For a quick session before then, the afternoon of the 12th of August at Porthtowan is about as good as it gets in the near term. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, and with a light offshore breeze from the SSE and clean 3ft waves from the west, you could get a few fun ones. The water's sitting at 66°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The energy is weak at 139, so don’t expect any power, but it’s surfable. Crowds are often here, so you won't be alone, but it's a good chance to get wet.
After that, the 13th through the 23rd is a write-off. We’re looking at a solid 11-day gap where conditions are poor, with mostly onshore or cross-onshore wind and choppy, lumpy surf. There's a small bump on the 19th of August with 5ft swell and some moderate energy (360), but the onshore wind ruins it. It’s just not worth paddling out.
Now, the real standout is the 24th of August. Mark it. On Monday morning and afternoon, we finally get the combo we’ve been waiting for. Porthtowan will see a clean 7ft swell from the west with a light, glassy offshore wind from the southeast. The combined energy jumps up to a solid 532-544, giving the waves some proper push. This size (7ft) is a little punchy for total beginners, but it’s prime for anyone with a bit of experience. It's a fairly exposed break, so it'll handle that west swell well, with the optimum direction being WNW. This is the best on offer by a long shot.
Everything after that drops back into the doldrums. The 25th of August sees onshore wind again, and by the 27th we're back to small, weak, and messy conditions.
So, hang tight, clean your wetsuit, and keep your eyes on Monday the 24th. That's the day to be in the water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the N by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Sat afternoon, light winds from the N by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 5 | W 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 139 | 180 | 319 | 284 | 181 | 159 | 185 | 132 | 120 | 98 | 62 | 32 | 35 | 16 | 8 | 113 | 171 | 124 | 78 | 104 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:47PM6.47m | 6:11AM6.33m | 6:31PM6.76m | 6:54AM6.50m | 7:13PM6.86m | 7:34AM6.51m | 7:53PM6.76m | 8:13AM6.37m | 8:31PM6.49m | 8:51AM6.09m | 9:09PM6.08m | 9:28AM5.72m | 9:48PM5.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:17AM0.14m | 12:34PM0.15m | 1:00AM-0.06m | 1:15PM0.01m | 1:40AM-0.08m | 1:54PM0.05m | 2:18AM0.07m | 2:31PM0.25m | 2:54AM0.38m | 3:07PM0.57m | 3:29AM0.78m | 3:44PM0.99m | ||||||||
 |  | | | |  | |  | | | |  | | | | |  | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:38 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 28 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 25 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | SW 18 | SW 16 | W 7 | SW 17 | SSW 17 |
| kJ | 139 | 180 | 319 | 284 | 181 | 159 | 185 | 132 | 120 | 98 | 55 | 16 | 35 | 16 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 124 | 11 | 29 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | E 5 | E 4 | E 4 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 13 | — | — | SW 12 | WSW 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | N 4 | — | S 19 | SSW 17 | — | — |
| kJ | 43 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | — | — | 6 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 1 | — | 7 | 28 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | S 11 | S 13 | — | S 10 | — | S 12 | S 20 | S 12 | S 18 | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | — | 3 | 7 | 3 | 7 | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | — | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 4 | N 4 | — | W 8 | W 7 | — | W 6 | W 6 |
| kJ | 6 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 11 | 50 | 35 | 62 | 32 | 9 | 4 | — | 113 | 171 | — | 78 | 104 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 20 | 218 | 17 | 17 | 40 | 23 | 282 | 262 | 23 | 248 | 22 | 381 | 401 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 281 | 249 |
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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