Surf Forecasts:
Watergate Bay surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, N swell with 199 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period with NNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Watergate Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Watergate Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Watergate Bay in the next 16 days are 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 1AM. 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 2s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Watergate Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this forecast for Watergate Bay is a quiet one. The next 16 days are looking pretty grim for a proper paddle. There’s decent swell on the horizon, but the wind just won’t play ball, keeping things messy. We’re looking at a long stretch of poor conditions, so don’t get your hopes up for any fireworks.
The water temp is sitting at 64 °F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Nice for a dip, but you’ll be doing more of that than surfing.
The first real glimpse of something surfable doesn’t come until Tuesday the 21st of July. It’s a small window, with a 2 ft swell from the NNW, but the wind goes light easterly, turning it cross-offshore. The combined energy is weak (67), so it’s not going to have much punch, but it’ll be clean. That’s about the only highlight across the whole run. For a beginner, it’s a safe little wave, but don’t expect much push.
After that, it’s back to the grind. From Wednesday the 22nd through to the end of the month, the wind stays stubbornly cross-on or onshore, mostly from the north. The swell tries to build, but it’s just a messy, choppy affair. Saturday the 26th of July and Sunday the 27th see a jump in size, with 5 ft and 7 ft swells from the WNW, and the combined energy gets into the moderate range (170 and 514). But that wind is still a problem. The 7 ft on the 27th is too big for beginners and only for the experienced, and with onshore winds, it’s going to be a battle. That setup is more interesting for a kite surfer than a guy on a log.
The first week of August kicks off on the 1st with a 5 ft swell from the WNW, but again, it’s cross-on or onshore. The pattern is the same: the swell is there, but the wind ruins it. There’s no standout session here. The surf quality is just poor across the board.
So, honestly, there’s not much to get excited about. If you’re desperate, Tuesday the 21st for a clean, tiny wave is your best bet. Otherwise, the next 16 days are a write-off. Let’s hope the forecasts change, because it can’t stay this bad forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri night, min 15°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the N by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 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) | N 5 | NNW 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 5 | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 28 | 78 | 77 | 33 | 15 | 18 | 29 | 40 | 49 | 40 | 43 | 47 | 65 | 74 | 199 | 62 | 24 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 7 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:47AM6.34m | 9:08PM6.57m | 9:31AM6.06m | 9:52PM6.19m | 10:15AM5.70m | 10:37PM5.73m | 11:02AM5.33m | 11:26PM5.27m | 11:54AM4.98m | 00:23AM4.88m | 12:56PM4.72m | 1:30AM4.63m | 2:08PM4.63m | 2:43AM4.60m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:05PM0.43m | 3:34AM0.50m | 3:48PM0.75m | 4:17AM0.88m | 4:32PM1.13m | 5:01AM1.29m | 5:19PM1.53m | 5:49AM1.68m | 6:13PM1.88m | 6:45AM2.00m | 7:18PM2.13m | 7:54AM2.18m | 8:34PM2.18m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 6 | W 7 | W 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | N 5 | NNW 4 | W 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | 12 | 11 | 4 | 33 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 24 | 38 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | W 7 | SW 19 | W 12 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 16 | W 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 14 | W 8 | W 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 12 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | — | W 21 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 18 | W 16 | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 13 | N 5 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 1 | — | 9 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 2 | 7 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | NNW 5 | N 6 | ESE 2 | N 5 | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 5 | — | — | N 3 | — |
| kJ | 28 | 78 | 77 | 1 | 13 | 18 | 29 | 40 | 49 | 40 | 43 | 47 | 65 | 74 | 199 | 62 | 24 | — | — | 1 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 402 | 563 | 58 | 393 | 46 | 389 | 386 | 389 | 253 | 0 | 46 | 330 | 330 | 220 | 244 | 58 | 525 | 481 | 400 | 418 | 405 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Watergate Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Watergate Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Watergate Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Watergate Bay 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 (Watergate Bay) 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 Watergate Bay 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 Watergate Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in North Cornwall, consider staying in Newquay which is 5 km (3 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 13 km (8 miles) away, Truro, Bodmin and Saint Austell.
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