Watergate Bay
United Kingdom · Atlantic Europe
Right now
OvercastWind and swell direction
Swell: 0.6m NW
Wind: 11 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 08:41Expected 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. Moderate winds. Water temperature 13°C.
AI-generated summary for Watergate Bay. Always check local reports before heading out.
Forecast accuracy at Watergate Bay
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 Tomorrow around 7am (score: 7). 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 08:41
Daily score breakdown
This week is looking slightly above average for late April.
Comparing the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Watergate Bay.
What's driving it
Recent form
Last 4 days of logged conditions.
About Watergate Bay
Watergate Bay is an expansive, highly exposed beach break located just north of Newquay on the Cornish coast. The bathymetric profile relies entirely on a vast, two-mile stretch of mobile silica sandbanks that shift continuously under the influence of strong Atlantic currents and a massive tidal range. Because the beach faces directly west, it acts as a primary receptor for unimpeded groundswells, capturing significant wave energy. An easterly offshore wind, blowing down from the surrounding cliffs, is essential to groom the wave faces and hold up the steep sections. The wave mechanics produce fast, punchy A-frame peaks offering carveable left and right-hand walls. Due to the high volume of water moving across the shallow sandbars, it generates substantial hydraulic force and creates shifting rip currents. It provides excellent training grounds on smaller days but demands the spatial awareness and paddling strength of an intermediate surfer during heavier winter storm cycles.
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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 Watergate Bay. 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 Watergate Bay?
Check our timing score heatmap above for a week-by-week breakdown combining surf conditions with crowd pressure.