Surf Forecasts:
Tolcarne surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, WNW swell with 341 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 4s. 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 1.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tolcarne over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, let's be real with you. The next two weeks are a desert. We’re looking at a whole heap of small, junky surf, with the wind messing things up more often than not. There are a couple of tiny windows, but you’ll need to be keen.
Your first and best shot is Friday, August 21st. Tolcarne (Newquay) is the only game in town. The morning is dead glassy, no wind at all. We've got a weak 3ft swell from the west at 8 seconds, with the combined energy at 158. It’s not a bomb, but it will be the cleanest the water gets. The water temp is sitting at 66°F, which is a good 4°F warmer than normal – a nice bonus if you're getting in.
After that, it’s a long, dry spell. From the 22nd right through to the 29th, there’s almost nothing to work with. The swell drops out and the wind just won’t quit. We do have a tiny bump on Saturday the 22nd—a 2ft cross-off swell with a 10-second period—but it's super weak and just plain ordinary. Not worth the drive.
Your last possible look is Thursday, August 27th. The afternoon turns glassy again, with a small 2ft west swell and a 10-second period. The energy is weak at 94, but it could be a fun little longboard session. Then Friday the 28th has a clean morning with a light offshore breeze, but again, the swell is a tiny 2ft. It’s all just knee-biters.
So, here’s the deal: there are two chances for a clean, small-wave surf, but nothing with any power. The rest is a blank. This has been a rough stretch, but things can change. Keep your head up and your board waxed.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 16°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
74 | 54 | 17 | 25 | 8 | 28 | 101 | 79 | 139 | 112 | 143 | 149 | 115 | 285 | 341 | 283 | 160 | 140 | 88 | 35 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:58PM6.95m | 8:18AM6.55m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:22AM0.10m | 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 | ||||||||
— | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | W 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
74 | 54 | 17 | 25 | 8 | 28 | 101 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 23 | 341 | 283 | 160 | 140 | 88 | 35 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 8 | W 18 | W 18 | WNW 9 | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | WSW 14 | N 4 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 11 |
— | — | 6 | 7 | 6 | 26 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 11 | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
— | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | N 5 | N 4 | N 4 | WNW 4 | — | — | W 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | — | — | — | N 4 | NNW 5 | N 4 |
47 | 34 | 9 | 3 | 5 | — | — | 79 | 139 | 112 | 143 | 149 | 115 | 285 | — | — | — | 1 | 58 | 20 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 246 | 242 | 243 | 343 | 244 | 282 | 218 | 294 | 282 | 272 | 147 | 71 | 218 | 275 | 138 | 214 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 55 |
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.











