Praa Sands
United Kingdom · Atlantic Europe
Right now
OvercastWind and swell direction
Swell: 0.3m NW
Wind: 15 km/h NNE (offshore)
Beach faces: SW
Offshore wind (blowing from land to sea). Ideal conditions, holding up wave faces for cleaner surf.
Swell direction is not well aligned with this beach. Expect reduced wave quality.
Today hour by hour
Updated 08:41Expected crowds
Prediction model v16amDawn patrol territory
7amMidweek quiet
Next 7 days
Forecast via Open-MeteoWhat to pack
- 4/3mm wetsuit recommended for 13°C water.
- Small waves expected. Longboard or fish to make the most of it.
- Strong winds on some days. Check the forecast each morning.
Today's briefing
0.5m swell at 7s. Onshore wind creating some chop. Water temperature 13°C.
AI-generated summary for Praa Sands. Always check local reports before heading out.
Forecast accuracy at Praa Sands
Not enough data yet. Log a session to help build the accuracy score.
Best time to go
No great windows in the next 2 days
Best available option is Today around 6am (score: 5). Conditions are below the Good threshold but may still be surfable.
Nearby spots right now
Crowd report
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Session journal
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Create free accountTide
Approximate modelSwell forecast
7-day forecastWater quality
4 nearby outfallsUpdated 08:41
Daily score breakdown
This week is looking slightly above average for late April.
Comparing the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Praa Sands.
What's driving it
Recent form
Last 4 days of logged conditions.
About Praa Sands
Praa Sands is a powerful, highly dynamic beach break located on the south coast of Cornwall, United Kingdom. The seafloor is comprised of a remarkably steep gradient of compacted white sand that drops off rapidly into deeper water. Facing south-west, the beach captures groundswells funnelling up the English Channel, and acts as a vital haven when the north coast is overwhelmed by massive winter storms. A northerly offshore wind is necessary to groom the wave faces. When conditions align, the steep bathymetry forces the ocean to jack up rapidly, producing fast, punchy, and frequently hollow A-frame waves that break relatively close to the shoreline. Due to the speed of the wave, the powerful shorebreak mechanics, and the sheer volume of water moving across the steep banks, Praa Sands is suited primarily for intermediate to advanced surfers. It demands swift take-offs and decisive turning abilities to navigate the brief, intense rides.
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Create Profile →Frequently asked questions
How often is this page updated?
Current conditions refresh every 6 hours when the cron runs. Hourly data updates every 30 minutes. The 7-day forecast, luck factor, and packing notes are all pre-computed at the same time.
What is the luck factor?
We compare the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Praa Sands. The delta tells you whether conditions are shaping up better, worse, or about the same as a typical late April.
How is 'best session' picked?
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Where does the data come from?
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Does the score capture local knowledge?
Honestly, no. Every break has tide windows, swell directions and reef contours that a global model cannot see. Treat the score as a starting point, then check a local cam.
When is the best time to surf Praa Sands?
Check our timing score heatmap above for a week-by-week breakdown combining surf conditions with crowd pressure.