Praa Sands
Praa Sands is south Cornwall's most popular beach break--a south-facing cove that catches SW groundswell.
Praa Sands surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (210°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 250°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 13s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNE (20°)
- Offshore range
- 350° - 60°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
Water temp
12°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
7/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Praa Sands?
Praa Sands is a beach break in South Cornwall, UK, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Praa Sands?
Praa Sands picks up swell from the S round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. 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 Praa Sands?
A NNE wind is dead offshore at Praa Sands, and anything from the N round to the ENE 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 Praa Sands?
Praa Sands is at its best around the low to mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Praa Sands?
The most reliable run of swell at Praa Sands comes Oct to Apr. There's a second window in May and Sep too.
How cold is the water at Praa Sands?
The water at Praa Sands 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 Praa Sands good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Dangerous rips. Heavy board-breaking shore dump at high tide. Often very crowded.
How do I get to Praa Sands?
The nearest airport on our list is NQY, then it's roughly a 55-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Praa Sands?
The closest breaks we track are Porthleven Reef (5.1 km), Porthtowan (22 km) and Sennen Cove (23 km), handy when Praa Sands isn't working. Fun fact: it's the third most southerly break we track in UK.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Secondary: May, Sep
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Porthleven Reef
Cornwall's heavy reef - Harbour wall barrels - SW swell magnet
Porthtowan
Punchy Cornwall beach - Hollow low tide peaks - Cliff-flanked cove
Sennen Cove
Land's End beach break - Exposed to all swells - All abilities
St Agnes
Cornish village vibes - Reef and beach mix - Strong local crew
Tolcarne Wedge
Newquay wedge • Bodyboard barrel window • Tide-sensitive setup
Little Fistral
South Fistral reef - More technical than main beach - Local knowledge rewarded