Polzeath
United Kingdom · Atlantic Europe
Right now
FoggyWind and swell direction
Swell: 0.4m WNW
Wind: 14 km/h NNE (cross-onshore)
Beach faces: NW
Cross-onshore wind. Wave faces are getting chopped up, conditions are average.
Swell is arriving at a great angle for this beach.
Today hour by hour
Updated 08:37Expected crowds
Prediction model v16amDawn patrol territory
7amMidweek quiet
Next 7 days
Forecast via Open-MeteoWhat to pack
- 4/3mm wetsuit recommended for 12°C water.
- Small waves expected. Longboard or fish to make the most of it.
- Strong winds on some days. Check the forecast each morning.
Today's briefing
0.5m swell at 7s. Onshore wind creating some chop. Water temperature 13°C.
AI-generated summary for Polzeath. Always check local reports before heading out.
Forecast accuracy at Polzeath
Not enough data yet. Log a session to help build the accuracy score.
Best time to go
No great windows in the next 2 days
Best available option is Today around 6am (score: 6). Conditions are below the Good threshold but may still be surfable.
Nearby spots right now
Crowd report
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Session journal
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Create free accountTide
Approximate modelSwell forecast
7-day forecastWater quality
5 nearby outfallsUpdated 08:37
Daily score breakdown
This week is looking above average for late April.
Comparing the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Polzeath.
What's driving it
Recent form
Last 4 days of logged conditions.
About Polzeath
Polzeath is a highly popular, semi-sheltered beach break located on the north coast of Cornwall, United Kingdom. The bathymetry features an incredibly flat, wide expanse of compacted sand nestled deep within the Camel Estuary headlands. This geographical configuration heavily filters incoming wave energy, requiring a robust westerly groundswell to push into the bay. An easterly offshore wind provides the optimal surface conditions. Due to the exceedingly flat bathymetric gradient, the waves that reach the inner bay break with a very soft, spilling profile rather than pitching into steep shorebreaks. This highly forgiving wave architecture renders Polzeath an exceptional, low-consequence environment for beginner surfers. The slow-rolling whitewater provides a highly stable platform for mastering pop-ups, whilst the unbroken green faces offer extended, manageable walls for practising fundamental trim techniques. The gentle, rolling nature of the surf ensures maximum wave count and safety for novices.
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Create Profile →Frequently asked questions
How often is this page updated?
Current conditions refresh every 6 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.
What is the luck factor?
We compare the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Polzeath. The delta tells you whether conditions are shaping up better, worse, or about the same as a typical late April.
How is 'best session' picked?
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Where does the data come from?
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Does the score capture local knowledge?
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.
When is the best time to surf Polzeath?
Check our timing score heatmap above for a week-by-week breakdown combining surf conditions with crowd pressure.