Porthleven
Cornwall's most powerful reef: a hollow right by Porthleven harbour.
Porthleven is a right that breaks over a flat reef by the harbour entrance, on Cornwall's south coast. With a south-west swell and a north-east wind it produces hollow, powerful barrels, and it's considered England's best reef wave.
It doesn't work often, and when it does it's packed with the region's best surfers.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Reef |
|---|---|
| Direction | Right |
| Level | Expert |
| Best swell | SW, W |
| Best wind (offshore) | NE, N, E |
| Tide | Mid |
| Size | 1.5–3 m |
| Best season | Autumn and winter |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Localism | High |
Surf forecast
Loading the forecast…
Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A performance shortboard. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Porthleven
Keeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonThe three-fin set for a shortboard.
View on AmazonRock or urchins on the bottom: protect your feet going in and out.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
There's localism and a high level. If you're not at barrel level, watch from the pier.
Surfing style
Reef barrels.
Hazards
Shallow reef and crowds.
Map
Shapers near Porthleven
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
St Ives Bay (Cornwall)
The St Ives Bay beaches, facing Godrevy lighthouse.
Porthtowan (Cornwall)
A small surf village between cliffs, with powerful banks.
Land's End (Cornwall)
Next to Land's End: Cornwall's swell magnet, for when everything else is flat.
Perranporth (Cornwall)
A 3 km beach with dunes, very consistent and with room for everyone.
All spots in Cornwall and Devon →
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.