Surf Forecasts:
Porthtowan surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, W swell with 830 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period with W 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period. 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 2.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) 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 0.5m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Porthtowan over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let's have a look at what's on the cards for the next couple of weeks here at Porthtowan. Straight off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – it’s a bit of a slow burner. The first week and a half is pretty grim, with a whole lot of choppy, cross-shore slop and onshore winds making a mess of things. We’re looking at a run of poor surf conditions right through until late on the 21st of September. It's not until the final few days that things finally start to look interesting.
For the bulk of that first stretch, we've got swell but it's rubbish. The wind is all over the shop – mostly cross, cross-on, or onshore – and the wave period is short, under 10 seconds, so there's no real power or shape. The combined swell energy is moderate, ranging from 121 to 646, but it's all for nothing with the wind ruining it. The water temp is around 65°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
Now, hold on to your board, because the final few days are the real deal. The standout session is shaping up for the 23rd of September. Wednesday afternoon is looking absolutely firing. We've got a clean, offshore breeze from the East at a light 6 mph, and the swell is going to be a solid 10 ft from the West. That's groundswell territory with a 10-second period. The combined energy hits a massive 1569, which is strong to very strong. This is big, clean surf, but at over 8 ft, this is for experienced surfers only. The morning of the 23rd is also very good, with a clean 8 ft West swell from an offshore breeze, so that's a close second.
The 24th of September (Thursday) is another excellent day for experienced crew. We've got an offshore wind from the ESE at 16 mph, so the surf will be clean, and the swell is a solid 8 ft from the WNW with a long 12-second period. That's proper groundswell with serious push. The combined energy is again very strong at 1512.
So, to wrap it up: don't even bother for the first ten days. The waiting game is on. The clear winner is the afternoon of the 23rd of September for the biggest, cleanest waves, but only if you've got the skills. The 24th is also a top-tier option. It’s a long-range call, but the signs are all pointing to a proper swell, so keep your fingers crossed the forecasts hold.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Sun night, fresh winds from the WNW by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 6 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 417 | 292 | 156 | 235 | 323 | 708 | 502 | 369 | 246 | 157 | 153 | 109 | 443 | 654 | 630 | 725 | 620 | 356 | 98 | 83 | 372 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:53AM6.36m | 6:11PM6.74m | 6:31AM6.55m | 6:48PM6.80m | 7:07AM6.57m | 7:24PM6.68m | 7:41AM6.44m | 7:59PM6.41m | 8:15AM6.17m | 8:33PM6.00m | 8:49AM5.79m | 9:08PM5.53m | 9:25AM5.34m | 9:45PM5.02m | |||||||
Low Tide | 12:14PM0.13m | 00:37AM-0.05m | 12:50PM0.01m | 1:11AM-0.04m | 1:25PM0.06m | 1:44AM0.13m | 1:58PM0.25m | 2:16AM0.43m | 2:30PM0.57m | 2:47AM0.82m | 3:03PM0.97m | 3:19AM1.26m | 3:39PM1.43m | 3:56AM1.72m | |||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — |
 | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 14 | NW 13 | S 14 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | S 5 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | 417 | 292 | 156 | 20 | 40 | 4 | 502 | 369 | 246 | 157 | 153 | 109 | 17 | 12 | 1 | 725 | 620 | 356 | 98 | 64 | 372 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 16 | — | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WNW 12 | SW 11 | S 11 | — | — | S 13 | N 6 | N 6 | N 5 | SW 13 |
| kJ | — | 5 | — | 8 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 5 | 2 | — | — | 4 | 26 | 5 | 2 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 15 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | S 13 | — | — | S 18 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | WNW 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | N 6 | N 6 | — | W 6 | W 6 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 235 | 323 | 708 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 443 | 654 | 630 | 85 | 69 | — | 72 | 83 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 58 | 23 | 5 | 17 | 194 | 218 | 17 | 150 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 742 | 317 | 104 | 747 | 218 | 83 | 257 | 208 | 17 |
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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