Surf Forecasts:
Tolcarne surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, WNW swell with 812 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tolcarne this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Tolcarne in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tolcarne over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
We’ve got a pretty grim run for the next week or so, I’m not gonna lie. The surf is poor for days on end with a messy cross-onshore wind messing up what little swell is around. The water is sitting at 66°F which is a touch warmer than normal for the time of year, but that’s about the only positive. We’re looking at a long dry spell with no real surf to speak of from now until the tail end of the month.
The first real window of opportunity shows up around Wednesday the 26th of August. The morning picks up some 5ft swell from the west with a light cross-offshore breeze from the southwest, and the sea state cleans right up. The wave energy is moderate (317) and the conditions are clean. It’s not a standout, but it’s the first rideable wave we’ve seen in a while. The swell is a bit short in period at 8 seconds, so it’s not going to have much grunt, but it’s clean and that counts for a lot around here.
The best session on offer is shaping up for Friday the 28th of August in the afternoon. The swell picks up to 7ft from the west-southwest with a period of 9 seconds, and the wind swings light and cross-off from the southwest again. The bay cleans right up, and the wave energy is strong (838). This is the one to circle on the calendar. The swell is a touch soft for the size, but it’s clean and lined up. It’s a solid intermediate-to-advanced wave, but at 7ft it’s a bit much for beginners.
Then we get a repeat performance on Sunday the 30th of August, with the afternoon going glassy flat. The swell is 8ft from the west with a period of 9 seconds, and the wind is dead calm. The wave energy is very strong (908). That’s a big, clean, powerful wave. Only for experienced surfers, because over 8ft it’s serious water. If you’re not comfortable in heavy surf, sit this one out.
The rest of the forecast is a write-off, with lumpy onshores and junky swell. The 28th and 30th are the real standouts, but the 30th is still a week away, so keep an eye on it.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 16°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 15°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 | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | N 5 | W 9 | NNW 6 | N 6 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 14 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 60 | 121 | 92 | 160 | 130 | 285 | 310 | 397 | 812 | 225 | 380 | 157 | 65 | 64 | 24 | 98 | 74 | 26 | 25 | 19 | 14 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 2:52PM4.47m | 3:30AM4.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:37AM2.43m | 9:24PM2.25m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 19 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 8 | W 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | 40 | 121 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 23 | 199 | 380 | 157 | 65 | 45 | 24 | 47 | 45 | 26 | 25 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 18 | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 11 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 |
| kJ | 6 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 20 | 19 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 5 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | — | SW 12 | W 5 | — | WSW 14 | N 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 10 | 10 | — | 6 | 1 | — | 19 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | — | W 7 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | N 5 | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | N 6 | N 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | — |
| kJ | 60 | — | 92 | 160 | 130 | 285 | 310 | 397 | 812 | 225 | 18 | 54 | 29 | 64 | 22 | 98 | 74 | 15 | 10 | 10 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 405 | 505 | 232 | 270 | 831 | 275 | 293 | 241 | 132 | 132 | 43 | 43 | 6 | 232 | 232 | 204 | 275 | 1 | 42 | 392 | 282 |
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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