Little Fistral
Little Fistral sits at the southern end of its more famous neighbour, offering a more technical reef/point setup that rewards local knowledge.
Little Fistral surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (260°)
- Direction range
- 230° - 290°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 2.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 13s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (135°)
- Offshore range
- 90° - 170°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
Water temp
13°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
6/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Little Fistral?
Little Fistral is a reef break in Newquay, Cornwall, UK, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Little Fistral?
Little Fistral picks up swell from the SW round to the WNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the W. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 2 to 2.6m. Period matters too: aim for 13s or longer, as anything under 9s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Little Fistral?
A SE wind is dead offshore at Little Fistral, and anything from the E round to the S keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Little Fistral?
Little Fistral is at its best around the low to mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Little Fistral?
The most reliable run of swell at Little Fistral comes Sep to Mar. There's a second window in Apr to May and Aug too. Year-round with best quality autumn-winter.
How cold is the water at Little Fistral?
The water at Little Fistral averages around 13°C, so you'll want a 4/3mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Little Fistral good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (6/10) when it's on. Rocky reef on the south side of Fistral. Can be crowded when good.
How do I get to Little Fistral?
The nearest airport on our list is NQY, then it's roughly a 5-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Little Fistral?
The closest breaks we track are Fistral Beach (0.2 km), The Cribbar (0.4 km) and Tolcarne Wedge (1.0 km), handy when Little Fistral isn't working. We track 4 spots around Newquay, Cornwall in total.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, May, Aug
Year-round with best quality autumn-winter
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Fistral Beach
England's surfing capital - Year-round waves - Ground zero for UK surf
The Cribbar
England's big wave beast - Breaks a few times per year - Expert only
Tolcarne Wedge
Newquay wedge • Bodyboard barrel window • Tide-sensitive setup
The Zorba
Cornwall's un-ridden big wave - Pentire reef - Last frontier
St Agnes
Cornish village vibes - Reef and beach mix - Strong local crew
Porthtowan
Punchy Cornwall beach - Hollow low tide peaks - Cliff-flanked cove