Surf Forecasts:
Tolcarne surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, W swell with 701 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tolcarne this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Tolcarne in the next 16 days are 2.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tolcarne over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the coming swell window.
It’s a pretty grim outlook for the next week and a half. From the 16th of August all the way through the 27th of August, the ocean is going to be blown out with onshore winds and messy, lumpy waves. There’s nothing worthwhile to paddle into. The first real sign of life comes right at the tail end of the forecast.
Tolcarne is our only break. It’s a beginner-friendly, fairly consistent beach break when it’s working, but conditions have to be right. That first real shot is Friday morning, the 28th of August. We finally get some clean lines with a 6ft groundswell from the WSW (9 second period) and a light cross-offshore breeze from the SSW. The combined wave energy hits 453 (moderate), and the water is sitting at a very unusual 67° – much warmer than normal for this time of year. That swell is over 5ft, so it’s a bit much for absolute beginners, but it’s the one true standout window in the whole 16 days. That Friday morning is your best bet.
After that, the wind swings onshore again. By Saturday the 29th, we’re looking at a 6ft WNW swell with a moderate onshore breeze, creating choppy, lumpy conditions. That swell has a longer period (11 seconds) and a strong combined energy of 750, but on a beach break like this, that longer period will likely make it close out and barrel through. Not a great wave for a long ride.
The final day, the 31st of August, is just more messy cross-shore junk. So the bottom line is: you get one solid morning on the 28th. If you can’t make that, you’re looking at a long stretch of poor surf.
Keep your head up.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun night, min 16°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | W 7 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 7 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | NNW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 17 | 25 | 8 | 55 | 127 | 77 | 134 | 104 | 160 | 176 | 320 | 701 | 662 | 603 | 230 | 117 | 76 | 49 | 35 | 48 | 39 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:37PM6.67m | 8:56AM6.26m | 9:15PM6.25m | 9:33AM5.88m | 9:53PM5.75m | 10:13AM5.43m | 10:34PM5.22m | 10:57AM4.97m | 11:25PM4.73m | 11:55AM4.57m | 00:36AM4.36m | 1:20PM4.36m | 2:10AM4.29m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:35PM0.27m | 2:58AM0.40m | 3:11PM0.60m | 3:33AM0.81m | 3:48PM1.02m | 4:08AM1.28m | 4:27PM1.49m | 4:48AM1.75m | 5:13PM1.94m | 5:40AM2.17m | 6:19PM2.31m | 6:58AM2.45m | 7:54PM2.45m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | |  |  | |  | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | N 3 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 9 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | NNW 5 | W 10 | NNW 5 |
| kJ | 17 | 25 | 8 | 55 | 127 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 49 | 10 | 23 | 8 | 20 | 230 | 117 | 76 | 49 | 21 | 48 | 39 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | W 18 | — | WNW 9 | SW 18 | W 16 | — | — | — | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | N 6 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 11 | W 8 | WSW 15 | W 9 |
| kJ | 6 | 7 | — | 26 | 12 | 5 | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | 21 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 20 | 21 | 26 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 18 | W 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 14 | SW 16 | W 12 | SW 16 | W 10 | SW 12 | WSW 15 |
| kJ | — | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 35 | 6 | 21 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | N 4 | W 4 | — | — | W 7 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 7 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | — | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | — | N 5 | — |
| kJ | 9 | 2 | 7 | — | — | 77 | 134 | 104 | 160 | 176 | 320 | 701 | 662 | 603 | — | 43 | 34 | 12 | — | 34 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 243 | 338 | 244 | 232 | 218 | 294 | 246 | 1144 | 299 | 542 | 218 | 591 | 141 | 232 | 43 | 232 | 232 | 42 | 265 | 275 | 231 |
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.
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