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Polzeath

Cornwall · Beach · Faces NW · Updated 2h ago
3-4ft
Next 24 hours
Swell 1.03m 6.21s W
Wind 17mph 22mph WNW · Onshore
Weather 18°C Light drizzle · 1018mb
Tide 21:42 6.3m Low 15:36 (1.9m) · Light 05:03–20:56
Water 18°C 2mm wetsuit
Sand Low-Mid tide 2-8ft All levels — gentle inside waves for beginners, more powerful peaks further out Best swell W - NW

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 Atlantic swell and offers gentle, forgiving waves ideal for beginners and intermediates. The wide sandy beach works best at low to mid tide. Protected from southerly winds by the headland. Busy in summer but a reliable spot year-round.

AI Surf Overview

Conditions look mixed today with moderate onshore wind and a dropping swell period through the afternoon. Best bet is the early morning push before the wind picks up. Tomorrow looks cleaner with a slight shift in direction.

Today's Tide
09:16 6.3m 21:42 6.3m 03:21 1.6m 15:36 1.9m
Hourly Breakdown
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
07:00
2-3ft
0.47m 6.7s
0.0m 0.0s
Onshore
18mph 27mph
17°C
13:00
3-4ft
1.03m 6.21s
0.0m 0.0s
Onshore
17mph 22mph
18°C 0.1mm
19:00
4-5ft
0.601m 7.37s
0.4m 4.47s
Onshore
17mph 30mph
16°C 0.2mm
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
07:00
3-4ft
0.74m 6.91s
0.37m 4.76s
Onshore
15mph 20mph
16°C
13:00
2-3ft
0.752m 5.38s
0.39m 3.92s
Onshore
9mph 22mph
18°C
19:00
2-3ft
0.548m 5.04s
0.26m 5.11s
Onshore
8mph 10mph
17°C
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
07:00
1-2ft
0.363m 4.96s
0.152m 4.84s
Cross-off
3mph 7mph
13°C
13:00
1-2ft
0.278m 4.78s
0.12m 6.5s
Cross-on
6mph 15mph
20°C
19:00
1-2ft
0.264m 6.69s
0.22m 4.0s
Cross-on
6mph 12mph
20°C
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
07:00
1ft
0.234m 7.53s
0.13m 3.14s
Offshore
5mph 18mph
16°C
13:00
1-2ft
0.268m 7.13s
0.144m 7.11s
Onshore
6mph 25mph
22°C
19:00
1-2ft
0.312m 6.86s
0.134m 6.48s
Cross-on
9mph 8mph
19°C 0.3mm
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
07:00
1-2ft
0.298m 6.23s
0.262m 7.74s
Cross-shore
10mph 13mph
17°C 0.3mm
13:00
1-2ft
0.385m 7.64s
0.2m 6.1s
Cross-on
11mph 24mph
20°C
19:00
2-3ft
0.425m 7.68s
0.2m 5.8s
Onshore
10mph 28mph
18°C 0.5mm
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
01:00
2-3ft
0.485m 7.8s
0.22m 5.7s
Onshore
9mph
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Polzeath Surf Spot Guide

Everything you need to know before paddling out at Polzeath, England.

Break typeBeach
SeabedSand
Best swell directionW - NW
Optimal wave size2-8ft
Best tideLow-Mid
Ability levelAll levels — gentle inside waves for beginners, more powerful peaks further out

Hazards & Safety

Rips on bigger days, especially near the rocks at the south end. Strong currents at low tide around Pentire headland.

Local Tips

Best at low to mid tide when the sandbars create multiple peaks. South end near the rocks has more shape. Sheltered from southerly winds by Pentire headland. The Doom Bar can create a wedge on bigger swells.

Getting There

Large car park behind the beach, 3 minute walk down. Lifeguarded May-September.

Parking: Pay & display car park. National Trust members free. Fills quickly in summer — arrive before 10am.

Facilities: Toilets, showers, surf hire and schools, cafes, shops in village.

Crowds

Very busy in summer and school holidays. Quieter mornings and autumn/winter.

No webcam currently available for this spot. Know of one? Get in touch and help us improve.

Water Temperature by Month

Seasonal Overview
Jan 9°C 5/4
Feb 8°C 5/4
Mar 9°C 5/4
Apr 10°C 5/4
May 11°C 4/3
Jun 13°C 4/3
Jul 15°C 3/2
Aug 16°C 3/2
Sep 15°C 3/2
Oct 14°C 3/2
Nov 12°C 4/3
Dec 10°C 5/4

Water temperatures and recommended wetsuit thickness by month

Polzeath Tides

Tide data from Polzeath

2026-08-05
09:16 6.3m 21:42 6.3m 03:21 1.6m 15:36 1.9m
2026-08-06
10:04 6.0m 22:37 6.0m 04:04 1.9m 16:25 2.2m
2026-08-07
11:08 5.7m 23:51 5.7m 05:00 2.3m 17:35 2.5m
2026-08-08
12:34 5.6m 06:23 2.5m 19:17 2.5m
2026-08-09
01:22 5.7m 14:04 5.9m 08:01 2.4m 20:48 2.1m
2026-08-10
02:47 6.0m 15:19 6.4m 09:19 2.0m 21:58 1.6m
2026-08-11
03:55 6.5m 16:19 6.9m 10:20 1.4m 22:56 1.0m
Recent Conditions

Average daily wave height and wind speed from past forecast data. Updates as more data is collected.

Photos
No photos of Polzeath yet

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Local Knowledge

Know Polzeath? Share tips on tides, wind shelter, hazards, or best conditions.

Home › Forecast › Polzeath
Polzeath
Cornwall · Beach · Faces NW
3-4ft
Current surf height
2-4ft today
Next 24 hours

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 Atlantic swell and offers gentle, forgiving waves ideal for beginners and intermediates. The wide sandy beach works best at low to mid tide. Protected from southerly winds by the headland. Busy in summer but a reliable spot year-round.

Swell
1.03m 6.21s
W
Wind
17mph / 22
WNW · Onshore
Weather
18°C
Light drizzle
Tide
21:42
Low 15:36
Water
18°C
2mm
AI Surf Overview

Conditions look mixed today with moderate onshore wind and a dropping swell period through the afternoon. Best bet is the early morning push before the wind picks up.

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Today
2-4ft
Tomorrow
2-4ft
Best
Friday
1-2ft
Saturday
Flat
Sunday
1-2ft
Monday
2ft
Rating
Surf
Swell
Wind
7am
2-3ft
0.47m 6.7s
18 / 27 Onshore
17°
10am
1-2ft
0.4m 6.9s
18 / 21 Onshore
17°
1pm
3-4ft
1.03m 6.21s
17 / 22 Onshore
18°
4pm
3-4ft
0.822m 6.47s
18 / 25 Onshore
19°
7pm
4-5ft
0.601m 7.37s
17 / 30 Onshore
16°
10pm
4-5ft
0.674m 6.9s
20 / 22 Onshore
16°
Tides
High 09:16 6.3m High 21:42 6.3m Low 03:21 1.6m Low 15:36 1.9m
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Polzeath Tides

Tide data from Polzeath

2026-08-05
09:16 6.3m 21:42 6.3m 03:21 1.6m 15:36 1.9m
2026-08-06
10:04 6.0m 22:37 6.0m 04:04 1.9m 16:25 2.2m
2026-08-07
11:08 5.7m 23:51 5.7m 05:00 2.3m 17:35 2.5m
2026-08-08
12:34 5.6m 06:23 2.5m 19:17 2.5m
2026-08-09
01:22 5.7m 14:04 5.9m 08:01 2.4m 20:48 2.1m
2026-08-10
02:47 6.0m 15:19 6.4m 09:19 2.0m 21:58 1.6m
2026-08-11
03:55 6.5m 16:19 6.9m 10:20 1.4m 22:56 1.0m
Seasonal Overview
Jan 9° 5/4
Feb 8° 5/4
Mar 9° 5/4
Apr 10° 5/4
May 11° 4/3
Jun 13° 4/3
Jul 15° 3/2
Aug 16° 3/2
Sep 15° 3/2
Oct 14° 3/2
Nov 12° 4/3
Dec 10° 5/4

Water temp & wetsuit by month

Recent Conditions

Average daily wave height and wind speed from past forecast data

Spot Guide
Break Beach
Seabed Sand
Best swell W - NW
Best tide Low-Mid
Size 2-8ft
Level All levels — gentle inside waves for beginners, more powerful peaks further out
Hazards

Rips on bigger days, especially near the rocks at the south end. Strong currents at low tide around Pentire headland.

Local Tips

Best at low to mid tide when the sandbars create multiple peaks. South end near the rocks has more shape. Sheltered from southerly winds by Pentire headland. The Doom Bar can create a wedge on bigger swells.

Photos

No photos of Polzeath yet

Local Knowledge
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