Surf Forecasts:
Portreath Beach surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, WNW swell with 933 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Portreath Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Portreath Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 1.7m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Portreath Beach in the next 16 days are 2.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Portreath Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, listen up. It’s Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for our stretch of coast, and I’ve got to be straight with you: it’s a grim picture for the next couple of weeks. We’re looking at a long stretch of onshore slop and junky wind, with hardly a decent wave to be found. It’s the kind of forecast that makes you want to hang up the wettie and take up gardening.
The first real hope on the horizon is for Thursday the 27th of August. There’s a pulse of WNW swell coming in at a solid 8ft, but it’s a bit of a tease. The wind is going to be cross-onshore and it’s only getting a 1 out of 10 from me. The combined energy is up there at 1245, so there’s plenty of push, but it’s going to be messy and lumpy. Not worth the hassle, in my book.
The following days just get worse. We’ve got a proper blow-up on Sunday the 30th, with a big W swell jumping to 10ft and 13ft by Monday the 31st. The energy readings are through the roof – 2253 on Sunday and a huge 4196 on Monday morning. But the wind is howling onshore, and at that size, Portreath Beach is just a washing machine. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s going to be a punishing, ugly session. It's way over 8ft, so keep the beginners well away.
After that big pulse, things ease off but the wind stays a problem. It’s not until Wednesday the 2nd of September that we finally see a change. The swell drops to a more manageable 7ft from the west, and the wind swings around to a cross-off. By the afternoon, we get a light breeze and the word “clean” finally appears in the forecast. This is our standout, no question. The combined energy is a solid 715, and it’s the first time the conditions are aligning. It’s still going to be a powerful wave, but it should have some shape to it.
So there you have it. Don't hold your breath for the next week. The only real window of hope is the afternoon of Wednesday the 2nd of September. It’s a long way off, so treat it as promising but not set in stone. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so the rubber’s fine once you get in. Until then, it’s a beach for dog walkers and kite surfers, not for us.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue night, min 13°C on Fri morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 9 | W 6 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | NNW 6 | N 6 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
254 | 160 | 634 | 933 | 807 | 347 | 165 | 90 | 39 | 67 | 88 | 34 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 59 | 192 | 276 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:08AM5.28m | 10:29PM5.07m | 10:52AM4.83m | 11:20PM4.59m | 11:51AM4.44m | 00:32AM4.24m | 1:16PM4.23m | 2:06AM4.17m | 2:47PM4.35m | 3:25AM4.40m | 3:52PM4.70m | 4:18AM4.77m | 4:39PM5.13m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:05AM1.23m | 4:23PM1.44m | 4:45AM1.69m | 5:10PM1.88m | 5:37AM2.10m | 6:16PM2.23m | 6:55AM2.37m | 7:50PM2.36m | 8:32AM2.35m | 9:20PM2.18m | 9:47AM2.05m | 10:19PM1.81m | 10:37AM1.64m | 11:02PM1.39m | |||||||
6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | NNW 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | N 4 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 10 | W 10 | SW 8 |
24 | 24 | 36 | 21 | 807 | 347 | 165 | 90 | 28 | 47 | 22 | 6 | 24 | 13 | 12 | 2 | 14 | 12 | 59 | 192 | 587 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | — | — | — | SW 14 | N 5 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 8 | E 5 | W 9 |
24 | — | — | — | 33 | 11 | 17 | 17 | 37 | 24 | 23 | 14 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 5 | 5 | 164 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | NW 4 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | SSW 14 | — | WNW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
— | — | — | — | — | 19 | 10 | 25 | 39 | 21 | 21 | 33 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 19 | — | 12 | 17 | 17 | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | W 6 | W 8 | WNW 9 | — | — | N 5 | N 6 | — | NNW 6 | N 6 | N 5 | N 4 | N 4 | N 4 | — | N 3 | — | S 3 | SSW 5 | W 9 |
254 | 160 | 634 | 933 | — | — | 40 | 49 | — | 67 | 88 | 34 | 9 | 12 | 7 | — | 1 | — | 5 | 126 | 276 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 555 | 211 | 157 | 152 | 161 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 229 | 79 | 165 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 36 | 278 | 398 | 217 | 13 | 13 | 50 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Portreath Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Portreath Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Portreath Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Portreath Beach 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 (Portreath Beach) 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 Portreath Beach 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.
Portreath Beach is 5 km (3 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.











