Surf Forecasts:
Porthtowan surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 5s period, NNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, N swell with 100 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 5s period with NNW 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Porthtowan in the next 16 days are 1.3m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 1AM. 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 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Porthtowan over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab a coffee, let’s talk about Porthtowan. The next 16 days are looking pretty lean, so don’t rush to wax up.
The first real chance of anything surfable isn’t until Friday, July 17th. We’re looking at a tiny 2ft swell from the NNW with a short period of 5 seconds, and a weak combined energy of just 57. The morning is the better part of the day with a light offshore breeze from the SSE, so the waves will be clean, but the size and energy are just not there. The conditions are described as “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” which is about right. The water temperature is 64°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
After that, we slide back into a long stretch of poor surf. From the 18th through the 28th of July, the swell stays small, the winds are mostly cross or cross-onshore, and the wave quality is just not there. The standout in this period is a bit of a washout, but if you’re desperate, Sunday, July 27th morning shows a 3ft swell from the west with an 8-second period and a combined energy of 103 - that’s the first time we see the energy tick over into the low triple digits. But the wind is cross-onshore from the north, so it’ll be choppy. Not a day for the log.
The next window of hope comes Wednesday, July 29th. The morning session shows a 4ft swell from the WNW with a 6-second period and a combined energy of 184. That’s moderate energy. The wind is a cross-off from the SSW, so the surf will be clean. Again, it’s “surfable but very ordinary.” Still, it’s the best we’ve seen in a while.
Thursday, July 30th has a bigger swell pushing 5ft to 5ft from the west, with a 7-second period and combined energy climbing to 224 and 246. The wind, however, is cross-shore from the SW and WSW, which will put a cross-chop on the face. This one is a bit of a mixed bag - the size is there for a beginner/intermediate, but the wind isn’t doing it any favours. The morning is slightly better than the afternoon.
Overall, the best bet in this 16-day window is the morning of Wednesday, July 29th. It’s the cleanest of the bigger swells, and the energy is the highest we’ll see. For the rest of the time, it’s a waiting game. The spot is fairly consistent, so it’s more of a lull than a full shut-down, and forecasts can change. Keep an eye on it.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 14 | SW 7 | N 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 5 | N 4 | N 5 | N 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 15 | 14 | 15 | 21 | 14 | 29 | 29 | 20 | 25 | 50 | 64 | 100 | 56 | 21 | 48 | 13 | 20 | 41 | 39 | 32 | 17 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross | on | off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:46PM6.67m | 7:11AM6.39m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:47PM0.24m | 1:17AM0.04m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:25 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:23 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 19 | 24 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 23 | 23 | 20 |
Feels °C | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | N 5 | N 4 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 6 | NNW 5 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 5 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | N 6 | N 5 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 13 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 29 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 56 | 21 | 48 | 11 | 12 | 21 | 39 | 20 | 17 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | SE 6 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | SSW 13 | SW 5 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | W 7 | SE 6 | SE 5 | WNW 11 | W 8 | SW 18 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SE 4 |
| kJ | 15 | 9 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 4 | 13 | 5 | 12 | 33 | 32 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | W 9 | ESE 6 | SSW 14 | ESE 6 | SW 15 | SSW 13 | SW 6 | SW 11 | SW 14 | S 21 | S 21 | W 10 | W 7 | W 9 | W 8 | SW 18 | W 7 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 10 | 14 | 4 | 21 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | E 6 | — | N 5 | N 4 | N 5 | — | NNW 5 | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | E 3 | E 6 | — | — | N 4 | N 5 | E 3 | SE 3 | N 5 |
| kJ | 9 | 101 | — | 11 | 12 | 29 | — | 20 | 25 | 50 | 64 | 100 | 4 | 141 | — | — | 20 | 41 | 5 | 2 | 12 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 38 | 38 | 280 | 36 | 244 | 82 | 0 | 1785 | 416 | 416 | 586 | 75 | 15 | 38 | 394 | 390 | 387 | 118 | 15 | 10 | 22 |
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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