Porthleven Surf Forecast and Surf Reports

(South Cornwall, UK)

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Porthleven Surf Guide

Porthleven in South Cornwall is an exposed reef break that has pretty consitent surf, although summer tends to be mostly flat. Ideal winds are from the northeast. Most of the surf here comes from groundswells and the optimum swell angle is from the southwest. There is no beach break as well as a right hand reef break.. When the surf is up, crowds are likely Beware of rips and rocks.

Porthleven Spot Info

Type:	Rating:	Reliability:	Todays Sea Temp*:
Reef	4	fairly consistent	12.2°C*ocean temperature recorded from satellite

Surfing Porthleven:

The best conditions reported for surf at Porthleven occur when a Southwest swell combines with an offshore wind direction from the Northeast.

Hourly Forecast

16 Day Forecast

What's the best time of year to surf Porthleven (for consistent clean waves)?

aprilBest Season: spring

The best time of year for surfing Porthleven with consistent clean waves (rideable swell with light / offshore winds) is during Spring and most often the month of April. Clean surfable waves are typically found 29% of the time in April while 51% of the time it tends to be blown out. For the remaining 20% of the time it is considered too small by most surfers but may still be OK for beginners and groms at times.

clean

29%

Surfable waves that hold up well for longer rides in prevailing cross-offshore, offshore or light wind conditions.

blown out

51%

Surfable sized waves that are of poorer quality due to prevailing onshore, cross-onshore or windy conditions (may be preferable for kitesurfing).

too small

20%

Waves usually considered too small for good surf. Some wave-magnet breaks may still work though if conditions are right (on occasion).

Explore Porthleven Location Map

Interactive Porthleven surf break location map. View information about nearby surf breaks, their wave consistency and rating compared to other spots in the region. Current swell conditions from local buoys are shown along with live wind speed and direction from nearby weather stations. Click icons on the map for more detail. The closest passenger airport to Porthleven is St Mawgan (Newquai) Airport (NQY) in England, 46 km (29 miles) away (directly). The second nearest airport to Porthleven is Plymouth Airport (PLH), also in England, 95 km (59 miles) away.

Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)

Please note that some surf spot locations are approximate to protect their exact location while others are not shown at close zoom level.

Porthleven Surf Forecasts:

Hourly Forecast

16 Day Forecast

Todays Surf Summary
Wednesday, 6 May 2026, 04:52 Local Time

m, °C	Wednesday 06
ft, °F	4AM	7AM	10AM	1PM
Wave (m)	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW
Period (s)	8	8	8	8
Wind (km/h)
Wind State	cross- off	cross- off	cross- off	cross- off

What does Porthleven look like?

Latest photos from Porthleven. Upload your own or view all photos on the gallery page.

Credit: JC Photography - Jason Crouch Credit: Jason Crouch Credit: Jason Crouch Credit: Jacky Hildick-Smith

Tides at Porthleven

Current tide and informaton

For Church Cove, 7 km from Porthleven.

Next High Water: 08:04am | 4.03m

Next Low Water: 02:47pm | 0.93m

NEXT	IS AT (local time)	remaining
high tide
low tide

Porthleven Sea Temperature

The water temperature (12.2 °C) at Porthleven is quite cold. If the sun shines as forecast, it should feel warm enough to get away with a good sealed spring wetsuit but you won't overheat in a winter wetsuit, gloves boots and a hood. Effective windchill factor of (11.0 °C).

Today, many surfers would wear a spring wetsuit, a neoprene hood, gloves and boots.

Current Temp*: 12.2°C*ocean temperature recorded from satellite

View Sea Temp Map

Swell History at Porthleven

Surf stats for Porthleven, see the swell variation by month or season on the history page here.

Average Swell

View Swell Statistics

Wind History at Porthleven

Wind stats for Porthleven, see the variation in direction and stength by month or season on the history page here.

Average Wind

View Wind Statistics

Porthleven Reviews:

Interactive Porthcawl Point location map. View nearby buoy information, live wind conditions and surrounding roads, paths and locations to help find new breaks. Click the buoys or wind icon to view more information.

Ratings

Based on 4 votes.

Overall:4.0
Quality on a good day:4.7
Consistency of Surf:3.0
Difficulty Level:4.0
Wind and Kite Surfing:1.0
Crowds:3.0
...

See all 18 ratings

Review

Impartial reviews submitted by Surf-Forecast users.

Dave Burr from United Kingdom

“I am a local Porthleven Surfer and while we don't mind (much) other competent surfers visiting, please remember to take all litter away with you and if you pitch up for a dawny please respect the local house owners by not "blasting" drum and base from your Vans massive sound systems. Oh also, remember that the "short Cut" to the Reef through a private garden should be respected and not abused or we will loose the "Privelidge" and the Property owner (a really cool Guy) will close and lock the gates. Lets all enjoy this special "Surf Break" get on together without surfers Dropping in at will, and we can all have fun. One further note to Students - Go to PRAA Sands !!!! or get a JOB IN LONDON !!”

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