
Surf Forecasts:
Tolcarne surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period, W swell with 287 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s period with W 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 6s. 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 1.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tolcarne over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, the long-range picture for the next couple of weeks is a bit of a flat spell for Tolcarne. We’ve got a lot of days with small, weak swell and a persistent onshore or cross-onshore wind that’s going to mess things up. Hang in there.
Starting from Sunday, August 9th, it’s just not worth paddling out. The swell is tiny, only 0.7 ft to 1.0 ft, with a combined energy of just 15 to 23. That’s barely a ripple, and the wind is cross-on so it’s a bumpy mess. That carries right through Monday and Tuesday, with nothing over 3 ft and periods all over the place. The wind is all over the shop too—on, cross-on, and cross-off—but the waves are too weak to ride anyway.
Wednesday, August 12th, we finally see a little pulse. Morning swell builds to 3 ft from the W, period 10 seconds, and the combined energy hits 125. That’s moderate energy, and the wind turns cross-off with a light breeze. The afternoon is similar, with 3 ft waves. It’s surfable, but the conditions are very ordinary. Still, it’s a bit of a tease.
Thursday, August 13th, the swell pushes up to 4 ft from the W with a 11-second period, and the energy jumps to 274. That’s solid moderate swell, but the wind is onshore, making it choppy and poor. Not the one.
Friday, August 14th, drops back to 3 ft and the wind stays on. No good.
Saturday, August 15th, the swell turns from the N at 3 ft, but the period is a short 5 seconds. That’s weak windswell, energy only 72. Cross-shore wind with slight chop. Not great.
The rest of that week, right through to Friday, August 22nd, is a grind. We see swell heights between 2 ft and 4 ft, but the wind is almost always onshore or cross-onshore, keeping the surface bumpy. The energy levels are weak to moderate, topping out at 226 on Thursday, August 20th, but it’s not enough to make up for the chop.
Now, here’s the one that catches my eye. Sunday morning, August 23rd. We’ve got 3 ft swell from the WNW with an 8-second period, combined energy of 140, which is moderate. But the wind goes glassy. Absolutely glassy with the slightest air. That’s a rare treat. The conditions description says “glassy.” That’s the standout of the whole forecast. Get on it early because by Sunday afternoon the wind swings onshore at 30 km/h and it’s gone again.
Monday, August 24th, we’re back to 3 ft swell with onshore wind and rain showers. A mess.
So, if you’re a beginner, almost all of this is fine—the waves never get above 5 ft. But for everyone else, you’re chasing that Sunday, August 23rd morning window. That’s your best shot.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 13 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
7 | 16 | 21 | 31 | 23 | 33 | 20 | 13 | 116 | 125 | 139 | 133 | 272 | 242 | 188 | 129 | 97 | 65 | 40 | 37 | 64 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 2:54PM5.26m | 3:33AM5.35m | 4:05PM5.69m | 4:37AM5.77m | 5:03PM6.19m | 5:30AM6.18m | 5:52PM6.64m | 6:17AM6.50m | 6:37PM6.94m | 7:00AM6.68m | 7:19PM7.04m | 7:40AM6.69m | 7:58PM6.95m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:46AM1.70m | 9:29PM1.47m | 10:02AM1.35m | 10:38PM1.02m | 11:03AM0.90m | 11:34PM0.54m | 11:53AM0.48m | 00:21AM0.17m | 12:37PM0.18m | 1:04AM-0.04m | 1:19PM0.04m | 1:44AM-0.06m | 1:57PM0.07m | 2:22AM0.10m | |||||||
5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 8:51 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:39 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 24 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 19 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | N 4 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 |
7 | 16 | 15 | 31 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 11 | 116 | 125 | 139 | 133 | 272 | 242 | 188 | 129 | 97 | 65 | 30 | 28 | 11 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 6 | WNW 8 | W 8 | N 4 | W 9 | S 6 | — | — | WNW 12 | — | — | — | W 13 | — | W 13 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 7 |
6 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 23 | 33 | 1 | 7 | 1 | — | — | 50 | — | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SW 12 | — | WNW 9 | SW 6 | SW 7 | W 10 | W 13 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 |
2 | 6 | — | 15 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 4 | N 5 | N 4 | — | SE 3 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | N 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | N 3 | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 |
— | — | 21 | 10 | 10 | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 14 | 50 | 40 | 37 | 64 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 403 | 232 | 232 | 42 | 43 | 13 | 389 | 211 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 31 | 60 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 92 | 2 | 292 | 1 |
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.











