Portreath Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 50.26° N 5.30° W

Portreath Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Portreath Beach sea temperature is
18.2° C
1.1° 

Portreath Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Portreath Beach surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, WNW swell with 589 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Portreath Beach this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Portreath Beach in the next 16 days are 1.8m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 4PM (Thu 20th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Portreath Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty. Alright, let’s be straight with you—this outlook for Portreath Beach is a bit of a tough one. The next 16 days start real quiet, and for the first week and a half, there’s nothing worth paddling out for. The surf is either too small, wind-chopped, or just plain messy. The water’s sitting at 65°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t be shivering, but you’ll be waiting.

From Monday 17 August through to the morning of Wednesday 26 August, it’s a long stretch of poor surf conditions. Swell heights barely reach 4 ft, with short periods around 6–8 seconds, and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore from the WNW, NW, or N, blowing at 12–19 mph. The combined wave energy stays weak to moderate (115–169), and the wave comment is consistently “poor surf conditions.” Even Thursday 20 August shows a bit more size (7 ft, 9-second period, 613 energy), but the wind is still onshore, so it’s lumpy. There’s a gap of about nine days with no real recommendations.

The first glimmer of hope shows up on Wednesday 26 August morning. We get a 7 ft swell from the WSW with a short 8-second period, light cross-shore wind at 6 mph, and combined energy of 983—moderate. The wave comment says “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions,” so it’s only a maybe. Not a standout.

But then, hold onto your board—Friday 28 August morning is the real standout. That morning, the swell jumps to 10 ft from the WSW with a 10-second period, combined energy of 1561 (strong to very strong), and the wind goes glassy from the west at just 3 mph. The wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s the one to circle. This is a long-period groundswell, so it’s got good shape and energy, but at 10 ft, it’s big—only for experienced surfers. The glassy wind means clean, perfect waves. It’s a short window, but it’s the best on offer.

Saturday 29 August sees the swell drop to 7–7 ft from the W with 11-second period, but the wind swings onshore again from the NW at 19 mph, so it’s messy. Sunday 30 August afternoon gets a second chance: 8 ft from the W, 9-second period, combined energy 1006, and glassy calm wind. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s another solid option, again for experienced surfers due to the size. After that, Monday 31 August brings strong cross-onshore winds and a risk of thunderstorms, so it’s a no-go.

Portreath Beach is a fairly exposed beach break, best with a NW swell direction. The standout sessions on Friday 28 August morning and Sunday 30 August afternoon line up with that optimum direction. Crowds are often an issue here, so expect company if you go for the good stuff. The forecast in the second week is less certain, but that Friday 28th morning looks like a ripper if you’re skilled enough to handle it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WNW
6
1.1
W
8
1.1
W
6
1.3
WNW
6
1.3
WNW
6
1.4
WNW
7
1.4
WNW
9
1.6
W
7
2.2
WNW
8
1.8
WNW
9
1.8
WNW
9
1.3
W
9
1
W
8
0.9
W
8
0.6
W
8
0.5
W
10
0.5
W
9
0.4
W
9
0.3
SW
14
0.8
N
5
0.8
N
5
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
60
138
75
134
134
175
326
247
570
540
589
300
136
100
47
45
41
25
34
31
34
Wind (km/h)
20
WNW
25
WNW
20
W
25
WNW
25
WNW
20
W
25
W
25
W
25
W
25
NW
20
NW
15
N
20
N
20
N
15
NNE
15
NE
15
E
15
NE
20
NE
30
NNE
20
NE
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
9:09PM6.08m
9:28AM5.72m
9:48PM5.59m
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
Low Tide
3:07PM0.57m
3:29AM0.78m
3:44PM0.99m
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
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:13
6:15
6:16
6:18
6:18
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:37
8:35
8:32
8:30
8:29
8:27
8:24
 mm
2
1
1
1
1
Temp °C
20
19
19
19
19
17
19
19
17
18
18
15
17
17
15
19
19
17
18
18
17
Feels °C
19
17
18
17
16
14
15
14
13
14
14
13
13
13
12
16
15
14
12
12
12
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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.

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