Skip to main content

Regional Forecast

Cornwall Surf Forecast

Live wave heights, wind conditions, and 7-day surf predictions for 10 surf spots across Cornwall. AI-powered forecasts updated every 6 hours with GFS data.

Best swell SW to NW
Best wind SE to S
Water temp 8–18°C
Best season Sep–Nov

Cornwall Spots

10 spots
Sennen Cove Beach · Faces SW · Offshore
Good
2-3ft Waves
9s Period
17mph Wind NE
7°C Gusts 14mph

Sennen Cove sits at the tip of the Penwith Peninsula near Land's End, facing south-west into the Atlantic. One of Cornwall's most consistent…

2-8ft All tide
Porthleven Reef · Faces SW · Offshore
Fair
1-2ft Waves
7s Period
13mph Wind ENE
9°C Gusts 15mph

Porthleven is Cornwall's premier reef break, producing powerful, hollow waves that break over a rocky shelf in front of the harbour wall. Fa…

3-10ft High tide
Fistral Beach Beach · Faces W · Cross-off
Poor
2-3ft Waves
8s Period
16mph Wind NNE
9°C Gusts 14mph

Fistral is the spiritual home of British surfing and for good reason — it's one of the most consistent beaches in the country. Facing northw…

2-8ft Mid tide
Perranporth Beach · Faces NW · Cross-shore
Poor
2-3ft Waves
8s Period
16mph Wind NNE
7°C Gusts 11mph

Perranporth is a vast three-mile beach on Cornwall's north coast with consistent surf and far fewer crowds than Newquay. Facing north-west, …

2-10ft Low-Mid tide
Porthtowan Beach · Faces NW · Cross-shore
Poor
2-3ft Waves
8s Period
16mph Wind NNE
8°C Gusts 14mph

Porthtowan is a consistent north-coast beach break that picks up more swell than many nearby spots. The beach faces north-west and produces …

2-8ft Mid tide
Constantine Bay Beach · Faces NW · Cross-shore
Poor
2-3ft Waves
8s Period
16mph Wind NNE
10°C Gusts 15mph

Constantine Bay is a stunning crescent of sand on Cornwall's north coast, known for powerful, hollow waves that attract experienced surfers.…

3-10ft Mid tide
Watergate Bay Beach · Faces NW · Cross-shore
Poor
2-3ft Waves
8s Period
16mph Wind NNE
8°C Gusts 14mph

Watergate Bay is a dramatic two-mile stretch of sand just north of Newquay. The bay faces north-west and catches any Atlantic swell going, p…

2-8ft All tide
Polzeath Beach · Faces NW · Cross-shore
Poor
2-3ft Waves
6s Period
16mph Wind NNE
10°C Gusts 18mph

Polzeath is one of Cornwall's most popular family-friendly surf beaches. Facing north-west on the north Cornish coast, it picks up plenty of…

2-8ft Low-Mid tide
Widemouth Bay Beach · Faces NW · Cross-shore
Poor
2-3ft Waves
9s Period
19mph Wind NE
7°C Gusts 10mph

Widemouth Bay is a wide, flat beach south of Bude on the north Cornwall/Devon border. Faces north-west and catches plenty of Atlantic swell.…

2-10ft All tide
Crooklets Beach Beach · Faces NW · Cross-shore
Poor
2-3ft Waves
9s Period
19mph Wind NE
8°C Gusts 10mph

Crooklets is Bude's town beach, a reliable north-west-facing break that picks up Atlantic swells and produces quality beach break waves on s…

2-8ft Mid tide

Surfing in Cornwall

Cornwall is the UK's premier surfing destination, with over 100 miles of Atlantic-facing coastline producing world-class waves year-round. From Sennen Cove at the southwestern tip to the legendary breaks of Newquay, Cornwall's beaches have shaped British surf culture for decades.

Best time to surf in Cornwall

Autumn (September–November) delivers the most consistent swells with milder water temperatures around 14–16°C. Winter brings the biggest waves but colder conditions requiring a 5/4mm wetsuit. Summer offers smaller, cleaner surf perfect for beginners, with water temperatures peaking at 17–18°C.

Swell & wind

Cornwall picks up SW–NW Atlantic swells, with the north coast being most exposed. Offshore winds blow from the south and southeast. The south coast spots like Porthleven need big SW swells to work but can produce heavy, powerful waves when they do.

Getting around

The A30 connects most of north Cornwall's surf beaches. Newquay has its own airport with flights from across the UK. Parking is plentiful but can fill up in summer — arrive early for dawn sessions at popular spots like Fistral and Watergate Bay.

Cornwall Surf FAQ

When is the best time to surf in Cornwall?

Autumn and winter (September to March) typically deliver the biggest and most consistent swells to Cornwall. Spring can also produce excellent conditions with lighter winds. Summer tends to be smaller but cleaner, ideal for beginners.

What is the water temperature in Cornwall?

Water temperatures range from around 8-10°C in winter to 16-18°C in summer. A 5/4mm wetsuit is recommended from October to April, and a 3/2mm from May to September. Boots, gloves and a hood are advisable in winter.

How accurate are the Cornwall surf forecasts?

MysticSwell uses GFS global forecast model data updated every 6 hours, providing reliable predictions up to 5 days ahead. Forecasts are most accurate within 48 hours. Our AI analysis factors in local beach characteristics for each spot.

What swell direction works best for Cornwall?

Most Cornwall spots work best on westerly to south-westerly swells (SW-W), which are the predominant swell directions from the North Atlantic. Some spots also pick up northerly and north-westerly swells, offering variety depending on conditions.

Explore more UK surf spots

Browse all 32 spots or check the full forecast.