
Surf Forecasts:
Tolcarne surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 13s period, W swell with 1,632 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s period with WNW 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tolcarne in the next 16 days are 2.2m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tolcarne over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. The next couple of weeks are a bit of a mixed bag for us. We’ve got a long stretch of poor conditions to get through first, with the wind and swell not playing ball at all. It’s a proper waiting game. The good news is that there is a standout window, but you’ve got to be patient for it. The first real opportunity doesn’t show up until Tuesday, 15 September.
For the first week and a bit, from Monday the 7th right through to Sunday the 13th, it’s mostly rubbish. We’ve got a strong wind from the west and northwest, blowing onshore or cross-onshore, making a mess of things. The swell is there, around 1.1m to 2.2m, with a period of 6 to 13 seconds, but the conditions are just too choppy and lumpy to be any fun. The wave energy is moderate to strong, with readings of 1632 down to 78, but it’s all blown out. There’s also rain and some fresh breezes to deal with. Keep your board in the car for now.
Things start to look up briefly on the morning of Tuesday, 15 September. This is our standout. Tolcarne wakes up with a clean, glassy morning and a solid 1.8m swell rolling in from the WNW at a quality 12 seconds. The wind is almost nothing, just a slight breeze from the WSW, so the surface will be perfect. The combined swell energy hits 872, which is moderate and punchy. This is the session to aim for if you’re a beginner looking for a clean wave without the chaos. It won’t be too intimidating, just a nice, manageable size. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing weird going on there. The afternoon wave drops to 1.6m and the wind picks up a little to a light cross-shore, so it’s still okay, but that morning is the clear winner.
After that high point, the conditions get wild again. The 17th and 18th see some serious size come in, with swells hitting 3.5m to 4.0m from the WNW with a solid 11 seconds period. That’s massive energy too, peaking at a huge 4046. But here’s the thing – for a beginner spot like Tolcarne, that’s just too big. It’s expert-only territory, and the wind is messy as well, so it’s not a great call.
The last few days of the forecast then drop back into poor conditions, with strong onshore winds and messy waves from the 19th to the 22nd. There’s a brief moment on the 20th where the swell is 3.0m and the wind is clean, but again, it’s too big for a proper session here.
So, to sum it up: the first week and a half is a write-off. The only real standout is the morning of Tuesday, 15 September at Tolcarne. Get on it if you can. The rest of the window is either messy or too big. Don’t hold your breath for anything else.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun night, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Tue morning, light winds from the WNW by Wed afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | W 12 | W 11 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WSW 6 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | WSW 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1632 | 1106 | 980 | 694 | 613 | 819 | 360 | 181 | 75 | 33 | 46 | 587 | 348 | 191 | 96 | 177 | 306 | 305 | 251 | 152 | 116 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:52PM5.18m | 3:32AM5.24m | 4:00PM5.69m | 4:31AM5.74m | 4:52PM6.23m | 5:18AM6.20m | 5:36PM6.65m | 5:59AM6.54m | 6:16PM6.92m | 6:36AM6.73m | 6:54PM6.99m | 7:12AM6.75m | 7:29PM6.87m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:47AM1.83m | 9:32PM1.48m | 9:59AM1.38m | 10:33PM0.96m | 10:53AM0.87m | 11:22PM0.49m | 11:38AM0.44m | 00:03AM0.14m | 12:17PM0.15m | 00:40AM-0.03m | 12:54PM0.03m | 1:15AM-0.02m | 1:28PM0.07m | 1:48AM0.15m | |||||||
6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | 18 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | W 12 | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WSW 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | WSW 8 | WNW 15 | W 15 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | — |
1632 | 1106 | — | — | — | — | 360 | 181 | 75 | 33 | 10 | 587 | 348 | 191 | 96 | 21 | 4 | 305 | 251 | 152 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 6 | WSW 8 | N 5 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | N 3 | — | — | — | SW 13 | WNW 12 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 43 | 34 | 2 | 6 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 7 | 15 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 8 | N 6 | W 12 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 13 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | 18 | 11 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 11 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | N 6 | — | — | WSW 8 | WSW 6 | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 7 | — | — | — | W 8 |
— | — | 980 | 694 | 613 | 819 | 91 | — | — | 32 | 46 | — | — | — | — | 177 | 306 | — | — | — | 116 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 31 | 37 | 1 | 141 | 232 | 95 | 32 | 14 | 0 | 37 | 203 | 1 | 1 | 31 | 0 | 1 | 205 | 1 | 232 | 203 | 0 |
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.










