
Surf Forecasts:
The Breakwater-St Ives surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, N swell with 125 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Breakwater-St Ives this week:
The most powerful waves expected at The Breakwater-St Ives in the next 16 days are 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Breakwater-St Ives over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, look, I'm not gonna lie to you, this is a grim 16-day forecast for The Breakwater-St Ives. It's a point break, and it's inconsistent even in the best of times, but the whole window is just a write-off. There is genuinely nothing to get excited about here. The first proper surf on offer doesn't even show up until... well, let's just say there's a long, frustrating gap of nothing.
The water's sitting about 63°, which is about average for the time of year, but that's where the good news ends.
From Thursday 16th July right through to the end of July, every single session is stamped "poor surf conditions." The swell is tiny and weak, rarely breaking 3 ft, and when it does, it's from the North with a short, choppy period around 5 or 6 seconds. The wind is almost always onshore or cross-onshore, blowing straight into the face or ruining what little shape there is. The combined energy is pathetic, barely cracking 100 (the highest early on is a measly 76), so you're looking at weak, wobbly lines at best.
There's a bit of a pulse around the 23rd of July with a 4 ft North swell, but the combined energy is only 111 and it's still blowing onshore at 19 mph. That's not surf, that's a washing machine. By the 25th, the swell swings around to the WNW, but it's still cross-onshore. The 26th and 27th show a bit more size, with 4 ft and 4 ft, and the energy climbs to 142 and 152, but the wind is still rubbish. The 28th of July gives you a moment of glassy conditions, but the swell is a pathetic 2 ft – it's a paddle float, not a wave.
The only real standout, if you can call it that, is the 29th of July. The swell jumps to 5 ft from the West with a 7-second period, and the combined energy surges to 298. It's a moderate energy window, but it's still a windswell. The problem? The wind is a fresh cross-onshore at 19 mph. At 5 ft, it's getting a bit too big for beginners, and with that wind, it's a lumpy, choppy mess. For a point break, the quality will be terrible. It's honestly more interesting for a kiteboarder than a surfer.
The end of the window, the 31st of July, is another onshore, 4 ft day with a weak 7-second period.
Honestly, save your energy. This is a blank run, and for a spot that's inconsistent anyway, it's not a surprise. Forecasts can change, but as it stands, there's nothing to recommend.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Thu night, fresh winds from the N by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | WNW 10 | W 10 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 49 | 60 | 89 | 44 | 20 | 30 | 28 | 59 | 59 | 40 | 33 | 17 | 38 | 34 | 90 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 7:25PM6.30m | 7:50AM5.91m | 8:11PM6.21m | 8:35AM5.74m | 8:55PM5.97m | 9:19AM5.47m | 9:40PM5.61m | 10:04AM5.16m | 10:26PM5.20m | 10:51AM4.82m | 11:15PM4.79m | 11:45AM4.52m | 00:13AM4.44m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:59AM0.01m | 2:14PM0.18m | 2:44AM0.15m | 2:58PM0.36m | 3:27AM0.41m | 3:41PM0.65m | 4:10AM0.75m | 4:25PM1.00m | 4:54AM1.14m | 5:12PM1.37m | 5:41AM1.51m | 6:05PM1.70m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | |
— | 9:25 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:23 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | SW 6 | N 4 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 6 | SE 6 | SE 5 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | N 6 | N 5 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 |
11 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 44 | 14 | 4 | 12 | 24 | 37 | 40 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | SSW 13 | SW 5 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | W 7 | WNW 7 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
14 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 33 | 33 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | SW 15 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 11 | SW 5 | — | S 21 | W 10 | SW 19 | WNW 12 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 7 | — | — | S 16 | S 15 | — |
3 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 1 | — | 9 | 2 | 15 | 14 | 1 | 12 | 12 | 1 | — | — | 5 | 4 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | N 4 | — | NNW 4 | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | ESE 6 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | — | ESE 2 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 |
5 | 13 | — | 12 | 14 | 49 | 60 | 89 | 17 | 20 | 30 | 28 | 59 | 59 | — | 1 | 11 | 38 | 34 | 90 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 243 | 271 | 271 | 1524 | 403 | 393 | 599 | 225 | 387 | 10 | 387 | 376 | 378 | 91 | 19 | 15 | 526 | 566 | 689 | 576 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Cornwall | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the The Breakwater-St Ives Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Breakwater-St Ives provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Breakwater-St Ives can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Breakwater-St Ives 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 (The Breakwater-St Ives) 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 The Breakwater-St Ives 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.
The Breakwater-St Ives is 11 km (7 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.










