Surf Forecasts:
Widemouth Bay surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, W swell with 463 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Widemouth Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Widemouth Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Widemouth Bay in the next 16 days are 1.7m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Widemouth Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s heading our way over the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it’s a bit of a rough patch for Widemouth Bay to kick things off. For the first several days, the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the wave quality is just not there. We’re looking at a stretch from Tuesday the 18th right through to the end of the weekend with nothing worth paddling out for. The swell is there, but the wind is messing it up – keep the board in the van for a bit.
We finally see a little hope on Friday morning, the 21st. A tiny 2.3ft swell from the west, but the wind swings around to a cross-offshore from the NNE at 9 mph, and the conditions clean right up. It’s only got weak energy (80), so it’s not going to be pumping, but the clean surface means you could get a few grovelly ones if you’re desperate.
Saturday morning the 22nd is glassy, with light offshore wind from the ESE at 9 mph and clean conditions, but the swell has dropped right off to just 1.3ft (42 weak energy). Perfect for a longboard or a SUP, but not really a proper surf day.
Then the pattern gets a bit more interesting. Tuesday the 25th shows a bit of promise. Both morning and afternoon see clean conditions with a cross-offshore wind from the SSE at 16 mph. Swell builds to 2.6ft in the morning (182 moderate energy) and then 4.3ft in the afternoon (307 moderate energy). The wind is clean, the swell is from the west with a 10-second period, so there’s a bit of shape there. It’s still not a standout, but it’s the first time the conditions and a bit of size line up.
Later on, Saturday the 29th morning has clean conditions again with a cross-offshore wind from the SSE at 16 mph and a 3.9ft west swell (152 moderate energy). It’s surfable, but the afternoon gets sloppy with a fresh cross-shore and lumpy chop as the wind picks up.
Now, the one that catches my eye is Tuesday the 1st of September. That’s the best on offer. We’ve got a solid 7.2ft swell from the west with a 10-second period, and the combined energy is strong at 913. The wind is cross-onshore from the SW at 16 mph, which will chop it up a bit, but that’s a proper amount of water moving. The afternoon is a little better on the wind front, with a cross-shore breeze at 12 mph from the SSW and a 6.9ft swell (847 strong energy). This is expert-level stuff, way too big for beginners. It’s the only real power window in the whole outlook.
The week after that sees a drop-off again. Wednesday the 2nd of September morning still has a 6.6ft swell (715 strong energy), but with a cross-onshore wind that will keep it messy.
So here’s the deal: if you’re an experienced surfer, circle Tuesday the 1st of September on your calendar. That’s the only day with real size and punch. For the rest of it, it’s mostly small, weak, or blown out. The water temp is about average for the time of year at Widemouth Bay. Hang tight, it’s just a quiet spell.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon night, min 16°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). 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 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | N 4 | W 9 | NNW 4 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
147 | 115 | 143 | 81 | 161 | 315 | 285 | 363 | 160 | 66 | 46 | 36 | 29 | 25 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 5 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:06AM6.84m | 10:25PM6.68m | 10:44AM6.32m | 11:05PM6.07m | 11:27AM5.79m | 11:54PM5.50m | 12:24PM5.31m | 1:03AM5.07m | 1:47PM5.04m | 2:38AM4.97m | 3:22PM5.17m | 4:01AM5.24m | 4:29PM5.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:10PM1.17m | 4:31AM1.47m | 4:49PM1.71m | 5:11AM2.01m | 5:36PM2.24m | 6:04AM2.51m | 6:42PM2.68m | 7:23AM2.84m | 8:19PM2.85m | 9:02AM2.82m | 9:49PM2.63m | 10:17AM2.47m | 10:49PM2.20m | ||||||||
6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 17 | W 17 | W 17 | W 9 | W 16 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | NNW 4 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | NNW 4 | W 8 | W 8 | W 3 |
6 | 6 | 6 | 39 | 5 | 28 | 136 | 363 | 160 | 66 | 46 | 11 | 29 | 25 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 2 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 16 | — | SW 16 | W 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | N 4 | W 16 | W 9 | NNW 4 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 8 | NNW 3 | W 14 | W 8 |
— | — | — | 5 | — | 10 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 36 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 16 | W 13 | W 16 | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | W 14 | — | W 12 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | 5 | 9 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 4 | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | — | NNW 5 | — | NNW 4 | — | ENE 3 | N 5 | NNW 4 | N 4 | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — |
147 | 115 | 143 | 81 | 161 | 315 | 285 | — | 39 | — | 6 | — | 1 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 5 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 226 | 242 | 92 | 272 | 242 | 226 | 87 | 231 | 77 | 0 | 98 | 7 | 9 | 97 | 298 | 298 | 115 | 231 | 415 | 479 | 236 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Widemouth Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Widemouth Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Widemouth Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Widemouth 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 (Widemouth 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 Widemouth 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.
Widemouth Bay is 4 km (2 miles) from Bude. If you plan a holiday in North Cornwall, look for hotels and other accommodation in Bude. Bude has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











