United Kingdom · Atlantic Europe
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Create Profile →Current conditions refresh every 3 hours when the cron runs. Hourly data updates every 30 minutes. The 7-day forecast, luck factor, and packing notes are all pre-computed at the same time.
We compare the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Newquay/Fistral. The delta tells you whether conditions are shaping up better, worse, or about the same as a typical early July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Honestly, no. Every break has tide windows, swell directions and reef contours that a global model cannot see. Treat the score as a starting point, then check a local cam.
The best week for surf at Newquay/Fistral is the week of 23 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
Moderate swell providing fun waves for a session. Full onshore mess. Not worth the paddle unless you are desperate. Conditions improving through the afternoon.
Heads up: rip risk elevated, and jellyfish: high.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 70% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Significantly cleaner air than a typical city. Ideal for outdoor exercise with minimal respiratory strain.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NO₂ 5, O₃ 3, PM10 2, SO₂ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 21:00
Moderate water clarity: ~8m visibility
Updated 10:32
Local knowledge and community tips for Newquay/Fistral
Fistral is the UK's most famous surf beach, a powerful west-facing break in Newquay, Cornwall. It hosts professional competitions and produces consistent, quality waves year-round. The beach is divided into North Fistral, South Fistral, and the Cribbar (a big-wave outer reef). The sandbanks shift but generally provide well-shaped peaks with genuine power. On its day, South Fistral produces hollow barrels, while North Fistral offers more forgiving walls.
Picks up any westerly Atlantic swell. Best at low to mid tide when the banks are steepest. An easterly offshore wind creates classic conditions. The 3-8ft range is where Fistral excels. It is consistent year-round but autumn delivers the best combination of swell and weather. Summer produces smaller, fun waves that attract beginners.
South Fistral (near the headland) produces the hollower, more powerful waves but is also the most competitive section. North Fistral is more forgiving with multiple peaks spread across the wider beach. The middle section shifts constantly. On bigger days, the outside peaks at South Fistral produce long rides. Choose your section based on your ability.
Rip currents are strong, particularly between the peaks on bigger days. South Fistral can produce heavy waves with genuine power. Rocks at the south headland are exposed at low tide. The crowd itself is a hazard; collisions happen. Beginners should stay at North Fistral or in the whitewater. The Cribbar outer reef is experts only.
Large pay car parks at both North and South Fistral. Very short walks to the beach from both. Full facilities including surf hire, cafes, showers, and changing rooms. Could not be more accessible.
Heavily crowded. Fistral's fame means it attracts huge numbers year-round. Good days can see 100+ people in the water across the beach. South Fistral peak is highly competitive with experienced locals, visiting pros, and ambitious tourists all jostling. Dawn patrol offers slightly fewer numbers. Midweek autumn is your best chance at reasonable crowd levels.
If you want uncrowded Fistral, surf at 7am or in foul weather. South Fistral produces the best waves but demands the highest standard; do not paddle straight to the peak on your first visit. North Fistral is more democratic. If Fistral is too crowded, Crantock or Watergate Bay (both 10 minutes away) often have fewer people with similar quality. Check the webcam before driving; the crowd can be demoralising.
Surf at Newquay/Fistral
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Daily scores over the last 12 months at Newquay/Fistral
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Newquay/Fistral tend to be best between 06:00 to 09:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 48/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
View Best Time to Go →Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 31 days of logged conditions.
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