Porthtowan
Porthtowan is a punchy Cornish beach break that packs more power than many visitors expect.
Porthtowan surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (285°)
- Direction range
- 265° - 330°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.5m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (120°)
- Offshore range
- 90° - 170°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
Water temp
12°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
7/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Porthtowan?
Porthtowan is a beach break in North Cornwall, UK, with peaks that run both left and right. It's also a renowned bodyboarding wave.
What swell works best at Porthtowan?
Porthtowan picks up swell from the W round to the NNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WNW. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.5 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 7s 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 Porthtowan?
An ESE wind is dead offshore at Porthtowan, 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 Porthtowan?
Porthtowan is at its best around the low to mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Porthtowan?
The most reliable run of swell at Porthtowan comes Sep to Mar. There's a second window in Apr to May and Aug too.
How cold is the water at Porthtowan?
The water at Porthtowan averages around 12°C, so you'll want a 5/4mm with boots. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Porthtowan 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. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Strong rips. Rocks at southern end. Pollution issues. Very crowded in summer.
How do I get to Porthtowan?
The nearest airport on our list is NQY, then it's roughly a 30-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Porthtowan?
The closest breaks we track are St Agnes (3.6 km), Little Fistral (18 km) and Tolcarne Wedge (18 km), handy when Porthtowan isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, May, Aug
Getting There
Nearby Spots
St Agnes
Cornish village vibes - Reef and beach mix - Strong local crew
Little Fistral
South Fistral reef - More technical than main beach - Local knowledge rewarded
Tolcarne Wedge
Newquay wedge • Bodyboard barrel window • Tide-sensitive setup
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
The Zorba
Cornwall's un-ridden big wave - Pentire reef - Last frontier