Surf Forecast  Porthleven

Porthleven surfspot characteristics

More about Porthleven surfspot

Fast, hollow, crowded reef peak to the west of the harbour. A short right barrel that gets very shallow on the inside and good lefts on certain swell directions. Cornwall’s best reefbreak is always busy when on with a large local crew, pros and media. Dangerous at high and low tide – experts only. Also another hollow right reef in front of the pier popular with lids.

General: To the west of the harbour sits a Cornish gem, one of the few classic reefs in the county. This quality A frame serves up hollow rights and lefts for a frothingly committed crew of hard charging locals and pros from around the region who descend whenever it breaks. Always packed with a mix of shortboarders, bodyboarders and a couple of world-class longboarders. Definitely experts only. Works through the tide. Parking is an issue here. There's a heavy, slabby right to the east of the harbour channel popular with bodyboarder. Tides: Best at mid but works on all tides. Size: Shoulder high to double overhead. Wind: NE Swell: SW Bottom: Rock reef. Paddling: Easy paddle round. Spot Rating: Short and hollow reef that can get epic in big swells.

Heavy, hollow, shallow, competitive plus a tiny take off spot means this is a wave for advanced surfers.

Off the rocks, there is no nearby car park so street park respectfully - has become an issue with local residents; use footpaths - don't access the break over private land.

September - February are best when the big swells roll into the Channel.

Crowd Factor: Insanely busy for such a compact spot. Local Vibe: Cornwall's most competitive line-up; feisty.

Limited parking on narrow residential street above the break and more parking in the village. Facilities around the harbour.

Pretty clean.

Shallow reef, especially at low tide; crowds.