
Surf Forecasts:
Portreath Beach surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s period, N swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, N swell with 139 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s period with N 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Portreath Beach in the next 16 days are 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Portreath Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks at Portreath Beach.
To be straight with you, the first week is a bit of a write-off. We’re looking at a long stretch from Friday the 17th right through to the end of that week with nothing worthwhile on offer. The swell is tiny, mostly under 3 ft, with short-period windswell and messy cross-onshore winds. It’s flat, it’s choppy, and you’re better off checking the tide pools. The water is sitting at 63°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s about the only highlight.
Now, we start to see a pulse of energy kicking in around Sunday the 26th. The combined energy climbs to moderate (103) by the morning and then to 111 in the afternoon, with a 4 ft swell from the WNW. The wind is light and cross-off in the morning, so it should be clean. Monday the 27th sees that swell building further to 5 ft (combined energy 211) in the morning, with a gentle cross-shore breeze. It’s still not a standout, but it’s the best we’ve seen so far.
The real action, and I mean the *real* action, is looking like it’s going to hit on Wednesday the 29th into Thursday the 30th. The swell is going to go absolutely mental. On Wednesday afternoon, we’re looking at a 13 ft swell from the W with a 10-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 3140. That is serious, serious power. The wind is onshore, so it’ll be a bumpy, raw, heavy beast. This is expert-only territory. The swell direction is a solid match for the break’s optimum (NW), so it’s heading right in.
Then Thursday the 30th is the real standout. The swell hangs around 13 ft in the morning from the WNW, combined energy of 3703, but the wind is light from the NNE. The file says wind and tide are favorable, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. This is a rare, dangerous, and powerful day. If you’re a seasoned charger who knows this stretch, it could be a once-in-a-season session. The crowd factor is listed as “often” so expect a few others who have the same idea. After that, Friday the 31st drops to a still-sizeable 8 ft, with clean cross-off winds, but the energy is still high (622). It’s cleaner, but the sets will be powerful.
So, to sum it up: the first week is cooked. The second week has a slow build, but the standout is undoubtedly Thursday the 30th of July. That’s your day, if you’ve got the bottle. Get out there, be smart, and respect the ocean.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the N by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | WNW 10 | N 6 | WNW 10 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 5 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
12 | 12 | 12 | 47 | 77 | 92 | 44 | 14 | 28 | 15 | 29 | 62 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 62 | 73 | 138 | 40 | 19 | 6 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 11:50AM4.83m | 00:18AM4.74m | 12:52PM4.59m | 1:26AM4.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:45AM1.62m | 6:09PM1.82m | 6:41AM1.93m | 7:14PM2.05m | ||||||||
5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:23 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:17 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 21 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 22 | 17 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 20 | 20 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 6 | SE 6 | SE 5 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | N 5 | N 6 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | N 6 | N 5 | W 8 |
6 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 4 | 44 | 13 | 4 | 12 | 24 | 38 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 40 | 19 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | SSW 6 | SW 5 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | W 9 | SE 5 | SSE 4 |
12 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 33 | 33 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 14 | 4 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SSW 13 | SW 11 | SW 5 | — | S 21 | W 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 12 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 7 | SW 16 | — | S 16 | S 15 | — | SW 15 | W 8 | NW 4 |
5 | 16 | 5 | 1 | — | 9 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 1 | 12 | 12 | 1 | 10 | — | 5 | 4 | — | 8 | 13 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 4 | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | ESE 3 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | — | — | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | E 4 | — | N 5 |
— | 5 | 8 | 47 | 77 | 92 | 7 | 14 | 28 | 15 | 29 | 62 | — | — | 27 | 62 | 73 | 138 | 12 | — | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 278 | 925 | 408 | 400 | 590 | 234 | 393 | 19 | 385 | 383 | 385 | 383 | 1 | 13 | 383 | 738 | 211 | 190 | 1 | 19 | 544 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










