Beach break · Cornwall · Beginner → Advanced
Forecast for Monday 31 August
Intermediate : Nothing special today. — Best window: 17h–19h
Today's score by level (at the day's best, out of 100)
An exposed south Cornwall beach that rarely crowds — a quiet alternative when other spots are packed.
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.
Praa Sands 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.
Praa Sands 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 Praa Sands comes broadly from West: it's offshore, which helps shape and hold the waves. A strong onshore wind generally degrades conditions.
Around Praa Sands, you can also check conditions at Sennen, Porthtowan, Fistral. Compare the scores, wind and swell direction before choosing where to surf.