
Surf Forecasts:
Tolcarne surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, W swell with 475 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tolcarne this week:
The surf forecast for Tolcarne over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tolcarne in the next 16 days are 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tolcarne over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, folks, Rusty here. Let’s cut through the noise and have a proper look at this stretch of coast. It’s one of those periods where you’ll be spending more time watching the horizon than actually riding, I’m afraid. The opening days are a real mixed bag, and honestly, the surf quality is pretty disappointing for a while.
We kick off on Monday, the 3rd of August. Tolcarne has a tiny 3ft swell from the WSW, but the real kicker is the wind. It’s a light offshore from the SE, and the conditions are described as clean. The water is sitting at 65°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The combined energy is weak, just 99, so you’ll be scratching for anything decent. Don’t get your hopes up. By the afternoon, it drops to 2ft and the wind shifts, making it poor.
Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th are a write-off. The swell builds to 7ft on Wednesday, with moderate wave energy (453), but it’s accompanied by strong, lumpy cross-onshore winds at 19 mph. The waves will be a mess. That size is more than 5ft, so it’s already getting too big for beginners, and the quality is just not there for anyone. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The rest of the first week and into the second is a brutal run of poor surf conditions. We see a bump of 5ft from the NW on the afternoon of Sunday the 16th of August, with moderate energy (200), but the wind is onshore and the period is a short 6 seconds. It’s just not going to be a fun paddle.
The only true stand-out, if you can call it that, is the morning of Friday the 7th of August. The swell is tiny at 1.0ft, but the wind is glassy – dead calm – and the wave period is a longer 9 seconds. The combined energy is a paltry 30. It’s not a surf session, it’s a meditation session. Perfect for a beginner just wanting to wobble around on a foamie in clean, tiny conditions. The break is a beginner-friendly spot, and it’s fairly consistent, but it’s also often busy, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.
For the rest of the 16-day window, there are long gaps of nothing worthwhile. The forecast points to a lot of small, wind-affected, and short-period slop. It’s one of those runs where the ocean just isn’t giving us a break. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s looking pretty grim.
Stay patient, and keep an eye on the horizon.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Warm (max 23°C on Mon morning, min 16°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the W by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | W 6 | W 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | W 5 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | NNW 5 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
99 | 58 | 94 | 111 | 108 | 213 | 446 | 285 | 277 | 155 | 75 | 21 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 49 | 23 | 34 | 49 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:10PM6.24m | 9:31AM5.93m | 9:50PM6.01m | 10:14AM5.70m | 10:37PM5.70m | 11:05AM5.42m | 11:35PM5.36m | 12:10PM5.16m | 00:49AM5.10m | 1:31PM5.06m | 2:14AM5.08m | 2:54PM5.26m | 3:33AM5.35m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:05PM0.74m | 3:29AM0.78m | 3:43PM0.93m | 4:08AM1.00m | 4:26PM1.18m | 4:56AM1.30m | 5:21PM1.47m | 5:56AM1.60m | 6:33PM1.72m | 7:16AM1.78m | 8:03PM1.75m | 8:46AM1.70m | 9:29PM1.47m | ||||||||
5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:58 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 19 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | W 9 | W 15 | W 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 5 | W 5 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 6 | WNW 8 |
99 | 58 | 94 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 49 | 23 | 18 | 49 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 15 | — | — | — | — | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | NNW 4 | W 9 | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 9 | WNW 4 | WSW 7 | SW 6 | WSW 6 |
— | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 18 | 9 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 16 | — | W 10 | N 5 | — | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 8 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 16 | 2 | — | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 13 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 2 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | W 6 | W 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | — | — | WNW 5 | — | — | W 4 | — | NW 4 | NNW 5 | N 4 |
— | — | 1 | 111 | 108 | 213 | 446 | 285 | 277 | 155 | 75 | — | — | 7 | — | — | 1 | — | 11 | 34 | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 218 | 299 | 232 | 218 | 232 | 405 | 241 | 42 | 402 | 418 | 220 | 42 | 43 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 6 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Tolcarne Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Tolcarne provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tolcarne can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tolcarne 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 (Tolcarne) 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 Tolcarne 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.
Are you planning a holiday in North Cornwall? If you are looking for accommodation near Tolcarne, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in North Cornwall, consider staying in Newquay which is 2 km (1 miles) away. Other places in and around North Cornwall where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Padstow which is 17 km (11 miles) away, Truro, Saint Austell and Bodmin.











