Beach break · Cornwall · Beginner → Advanced
Forecast for Tuesday 1 September
Intermediate : Not great, but surfable — right now. — Best window: 6h
Today's score by level (at the day's best, out of 100)
Known for powerful, sometimes very hollow waves, Porthtowan is a beach break tucked between steep cliffs in the former tin-mining region of Cornwall — a UNESCO World Heritage landscape.
Autumn and winter give the best swells but water is cold. Summer = smaller waves, max crowd.
Good level required. You can stand, paddle and read a peak. When it fires, better know what you're doing.
Easy beach access, parking usually nearby. Ask locally about seasonal currents.
Wear an appropriate wetsuit. Scout the currents before you paddle out. Respect the locals and right-of-way. Check weather and tides.
Porthtowan usually works best around mid-tide. The tide shapes the sandbanks and the depth over the reef, so check the day's tide times before your session.
Porthtowan is rather recommended for intermediate 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 Porthtowan comes broadly from East: it's offshore, which helps shape and hold the waves. A strong onshore wind generally degrades conditions.
Around Porthtowan, you can also check conditions at Fistral, Watergate Bay, Praa Sands. Compare the scores, wind and swell direction before choosing where to surf.