Surf Forecasts:
Tolcarne surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, W swell with 646 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period with NNW 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tolcarne in the next 16 days are 2.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) 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 0.4m 2s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tolcarne over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here.
We’re staring down a pretty bleak run of surf. For the next week and a half, the wind and swell are just not playing ball. It’s going to be a long, frustrating stretch for anyone hoping to get wet.
First up, Tolcarne. The 18th of August starts us off with 5ft of swell from the WNW at a short 6 seconds, combined energy at 176 (moderate). But the wind is a fresh cross-onshore at 18 mph, making it lumpy. The afternoon drops a bit in size. Water temp is 66°F, which is a touch warmer than normal.
The 19th and 20th are more of the same: cross-onshore winds, with the swell hitting 7ft on the 20th (Thursday) from the west at 9 seconds, energy up to 654 (strong). It’s got size, but with a moderate cross-onshore, it’s just choppy.
From the 21st, the swell fades. Friday the 21st has rain showers and a north wind. From the 22nd to the 25th, the surf is tiny. On the 24th, Monday morning, it goes glassy but there’s only 1.0ft of swell. Clean, but nothing to ride.
The first hint of something better hits Tuesday the 25th in the afternoon. We see 5ft from the west at 10 seconds, and the wind goes offshore from the SSE at 18 mph. The combined energy is 369 (moderate to strong). It’s clean, but the outlook says it’s marginal — the best we’ve got, but not a full winner.
The 27th of August has strong offshore winds at 28 mph and 5ft of swell, but it’s short period and hard to paddle into.
The 29th (Saturday) brings 5ft from the west at 8 seconds, energy at 409 (strong), but cross-shore winds at 21 mph kill it.
Finally, Tuesday the 1st of September shows some serious size: 8ft from the west at 8 seconds, energy hitting 795 (strong to very strong). But the wind is on the nose or cross-shore, and it’s messy. That’s big wave territory, only for experts, and even then, the wind is rough.
So, over this whole 16-day stretch, there’s no real standout. The 25th afternoon is the closest thing to a session, and it’s still questionable. For a beach break like Tolcarne, this is a tough period. If you’re into kiting, some of the bigger, windier days might be fun, but for a paddle surfer, it’s best to sit this one out. Things can change, but for now, it’s a waiting game.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | W 7 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | N 6 | N 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | W 9 | N 5 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 165 | 143 | 134 | 199 | 246 | 419 | 646 | 577 | 282 | 133 | 91 | 53 | 100 | 43 | 14 | 27 | 19 | 20 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:57PM4.83m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:51AM2.12m | 10:24PM1.87m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | |  | |  | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — |
mm | — | — | 3 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 17 | W 7 | W 9 | SW 16 | W 10 | SW 14 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 5 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 4 |
| kJ | 11 | 11 | 134 | 199 | 10 | 28 | 8 | 577 | 282 | 133 | 64 | 33 | 100 | 43 | 12 | 24 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 17 | SW 16 | — | WSW 15 | — | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 9 | WNW 6 | NW 5 | WSW 14 | W 6 | WNW 5 | N 4 | SW 13 | W 8 |
| kJ | — | — | 12 | 10 | — | 23 | — | 21 | 18 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 36 | 12 | 5 | 19 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | W 9 | W 9 | — | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | — | SW 13 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 10 | 10 | 21 | 24 | 14 | — | 19 | 20 | 7 | — | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | W 6 | — | — | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | — | N 4 | N 5 | N 6 | N 5 | — | — | — | N 5 | N 4 | N 4 | — | W 4 | — |
| kJ | 165 | 143 | — | — | 246 | 419 | 646 | — | 6 | 58 | 91 | 53 | — | — | — | 27 | 15 | 8 | — | 9 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 270 | 218 | 138 | 206 | 218 | 217 | 141 | 132 | 42 | 42 | 246 | 141 | 5 | 6 | 241 | 2 | 57 | 62 | 495 | 494 | 490 |
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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