Reef right · Cornwall · Advanced → Charger
Forecast for Tuesday 1 September
Advanced : Nothing to surf today. Rest those arms.
Today's score by level (at the day's best, out of 100)
England's best reef, right outside the harbour mouth. A short, hollow, very shallow right — experts only.
Autumn and winter give the best swells but water is cold. Summer = smaller waves, max crowd.
For experts only. Powerful waves, strong currents or technical bottom. Ask locally first.
Direct access from the beach, but mind the rocky bottom. Wetsuit + booties recommended, do not surf at low tide.
Wear an appropriate wetsuit. Scout the currents before you paddle out. Respect the locals and right-of-way. Check weather and tides.
Porthleven usually works best around mid-falling. The tide shapes the sandbanks and the depth over the reef, so check the day's tide times before your session.
Porthleven is rather recommended for advanced surfers. If you're a beginner, prefer a surf school, a small swell and a suitable tide, or look for a more sheltered nearby spot.
The ideal wind at Porthleven comes broadly from North-East: it's offshore, which helps shape and hold the waves. A strong onshore wind generally degrades conditions.
Around Porthleven, you can also check conditions at Praa Sands, Porthmeor, Porthtowan. Compare the scores, wind and swell direction before choosing where to surf.