Surf Forecasts:
Porthtowan surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, WNW swell with 482 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s 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 28) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
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 Porthtowan over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – this is a tough stretch. We've got a real patchy run of swell, and the wind gods aren't playing nice for most of it. The first proper chance to get wet doesn't come until Tuesday the 28th of July, and even then, it's nothing to write home about. We're looking at about a week of waiting before that.
The only real window of opportunity in this whole 16-day outlook is Tuesday morning, the 28th of July. The water's a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 65°.
That Tuesday morning, we've got a tiny 3ft groundswell rolling in from the WNW with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is weak (110). But here's the kicker: the wind is glassy. Pure, clean, glassy conditions. For a spot like Porthtowan that's often getting worked by the wind, this is a rare treat. The waves will be small, clean, and perfect for a beginner session. The break is fairly consistent, so you'll get a few, but with crowds being 'often', expect some company. This is the standout, and it's a short-lived one.
After that morning, it's back to the struggle. The wind swings onshore or cross-onshore for the rest of the week, and the swell stays small and weak. The end of the first week into the second week sees a bit more size, like Saturday the 1st of August with a 5ft cross-shore mess, but the wind is blowing 16 mph, ruining any chance of quality. It's more of a kite-surfing scene than a paddle-surfing one.
The only other notable event is way out on Sunday the 9th of August. We've got a solid 7ft swell from the WNW, but it's short period at 7 seconds – that's windswell, not groundswell. The onshore wind is 16 mph. That's a choppy, blown-out mess for experienced surfers only. The combined energy is moderate (414), but it's just not worth it unless you're desperate for a beatdown.
So, in short: aim for that Tuesday morning glass-off. The rest of the run is a write-off. It's a tough time of year, but forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sat night, calm by Mon night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 67 | 247 | 482 | 411 | 261 | 110 | 71 | 150 | 110 | 84 | 61 | 51 | 50 | 28 | 160 | 139 | 94 | 79 | 58 | 55 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:43AM4.63m | 4:10PM4.85m | 4:35AM4.88m | 4:57PM5.16m | 5:18AM5.17m | 5:37PM5.49m | 5:56AM5.44m | 6:14PM5.78m | 6:32AM5.67m | 6:48PM6.01m | 7:05AM5.84m | 7:22PM6.17m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:40PM1.97m | 10:06AM1.88m | 10:37PM1.71m | 10:56AM1.59m | 11:22PM1.41m | 11:37AM1.29m | 00:02AM1.11m | 12:14PM1.00m | 00:37AM0.86m | 12:49PM0.78m | 1:12AM0.67m | 1:22PM0.63m | 1:44AM0.57m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — |
 | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 25 | 24 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 25 | 23 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 16 | SW 16 | WNW 9 | W 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | S 13 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | W 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 113 | 110 | 71 | 150 | 110 | 84 | 61 | 51 | 50 | 21 | 3 | 139 | 94 | 79 | 58 | 55 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | — | S 16 | S 12 | S 12 | WNW 9 | N 5 | N 5 | — | S 14 | SW 14 | SE 4 | SE 4 | W 10 | — | S 13 | — | — | — | W 12 |
| kJ | 6 | — | 5 | 3 | 3 | 110 | 7 | 2 | — | 4 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 17 | — | 3 | — | — | — | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 5 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | — | — | S 13 | S 6 | S 6 | S 13 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 5 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | — | W 6 | — | — | SE 2 | — | — | W 3 | W 5 | WNW 6 | — | — | — | S 3 | — |
| kJ | 67 | 247 | 482 | 411 | 261 | — | 66 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | 28 | 160 | — | — | — | 2 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 392 | 626 | 742 | 218 | 104 | 218 | 197 | 17 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 210 | 249 | 158 | 218 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 0 |
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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