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Each location is refreshed once every three hours. The hourly view, 7-day forecast, luck factor and packing notes come from the same stored update.
We compare the 7-day forecast with the version-matched historical observations available for the same time of year at Porthtowan. The delta shows whether conditions look better, worse or about the same as a typical late July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Barely any swell. Not much to work with today. Short-period wind swell: expect weak, crumbly faces. Full onshore mess. Not worth the paddle unless you are desperate. Conditions improving through the afternoon.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Porthtowan is a highly concentrated, immensely powerful beach break situated in a deep valley on the north coast of Cornwall, United Kingdom. The bathymetry is entirely defined by exceptionally steep, shifting silica sandbanks heavily constrained by towering, rugged cliffs on either side of the bay. This specific geography captures raw westerly Atlantic groundswells, funnelling the energy directly onto the steep shoreline gradient. When the swell impacts the sudden vertical sandbars, the ocean heaves violently, producing incredibly thick, top-to-bottom plunging left and right-hand barrels, particularly at low tide. An easterly offshore wind is crucial to hold the heavy lips open. Due to the extreme hydraulic force, the immediate proximity of the break to the shallow sand, and the rapid, near-vertical take-offs, Porthtowan is primarily the domain of advanced surfers. It is a highly consequential, high-speed arena demanding absolute commitment and elite tube-riding proficiency to avoid severe shorebreak wipeouts.
Heads up: rip risk elevated, and jellyfish: high.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 76% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Significantly cleaner air than a typical city. Ideal for outdoor exercise with minimal respiratory strain.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NOโ 5, Oโ 3, PM10 2, SOโ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 15:24
Moderate water clarity: ~8m visibility
Updated 10:33
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Porthtowan
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
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Create Profile โPartly. The model uses stored spot geometry, swell ranges and tide preferences where configured. It cannot see changing banks, crowds, access, closures or everything visible on a local cam, so treat it as a starting point.
The best week for surf at Porthtowan is the week of 23 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
Local knowledge and community tips for Porthtowan
Porthtowan is a concentrated, powerful beach break in a deep valley on Cornwall's north coast. The beach is relatively short but the banks produce steep, punchy waves with real force. It faces west and receives full Atlantic swell. When the banks align, Porthtowan produces hollow barrels that rival Croyde for intensity. The setting is dramatic, with old mine workings on the cliffs and a pub literally on the beach.
Best on low to mid tide with a solid westerly groundswell and easterly offshore wind. The steep sand gradient creates hollow waves at the 4-8ft range. Above that it starts to close out across the bay. Works September through May. Even smaller swells produce fun, punchy waves here due to the steep banks.
The main peak shifts but generally forms in the centre of the relatively short beach. The take-off is steep and fast, similar to Croyde but on a smaller scale. On bigger days the outside bank produces a defined peak with a longer ride. The inside shorebreak is heavy and not a place to linger.
Heavy shorebreak that slams onto shallow sand. The steep gradient means waves hit hard and held-down time is real, even in moderate surf. Rip currents form on bigger days. The cliffs at either end are close, limiting the surfable area. Rocks exposed at low tide on the edges. Not a spot to underestimate.
Car park at the top of the valley with a walk (5 minutes) down a steep road to the beach. The Blue Bar sits directly on the sand. Limited parking in summer. Basic facilities at beach level.
Busy on good days. The proximity to Redruth and Camborne means a solid local population of surfers. The short beach concentrates everyone into a small area. Weekends can see 20-30 people fighting for peaks. Dawn sessions or midweek offer more space. The local crew are skilled and know the banks intimately.
Porthtowan punches above its weight for a small beach. The hollow sections near the Blue Bar can produce genuine barrels on the right swell. Do not sit too close to the shorebreak as sets can catch you out. The pub on the beach (Blue Bar) is an institution and the terrace has a direct view of the surf. If Porthtowan is closing out, Chapel Porth next door might be more manageable.
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Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 30 days of logged conditions.
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Porthtowan tend to be best between 06:00 to 09:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 40/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
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