Porthtowan Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer for Porthtowan over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, it’s a tough start. We’ve got a solid run of poor conditions through the first four days, with a messy mix of cross-shore and onshore winds from the west and southwest. The swell is there, but it’s not doing us any favours. The morning of the 5th of September is the first real glimmer of hope. The wind goes glassy from the north, and we’ve got a 4ft west swell with a 10-second period. The combined energy is moderate (297), and the water is a touch warmer than usual at 64°. It’s clean, but it’s not a standout. The afternoon gets blown out again.

The morning of the 6th of September sees a clean offshore breeze from the southeast, but the swell is small – only 2ft from the west, with weak energy (73). It’s surfable, but ordinary. The same goes for the afternoon.

The 7th of September brings a bigger pulse, with a 7ft west swell on the Monday morning, but the wind is onshore from the west-northwest and the energy is very strong (1036). The conditions are marginal at best, and the afternoon is no better. After that, we’re looking at a long, frustrating gap. From the 8th through to the 13th, the wind is mostly cross or onshore, and the surf quality is poor. There’s a lot of lumpy, choppy, and generally messy water. The 13th of September does see a 3ft west swell with a 12-second period and moderate energy (301), but the cross-onshore wind from the north ruins it.

The real standout – and the only one I’d actually get excited about – is the morning of the 14th of September. We’ve got clear skies, a light offshore breeze from the southeast, and a clean 4ft west swell with a long 12-second period. The combined energy is strong (675), and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions”. For a beginner-friendly spot like Porthtowan, this is as good as it gets. The afternoon goes glassy with zero wind, but the swell is the same size. That morning is the one to aim for.

The morning of the 15th is still clean with an offshore, but the swell drops to 3ft and the energy is weaker (231). It’s ordinary. The 16th sees a bit more size from the west-northwest (3ft, 12-second period, 379 energy), but the wind is cross-on, so it’s not going to be the same quality.

Honestly, it’s a two-week window with a lot of dross. The 14th of September is the only true standout. The rest is waiting for clean windows that don’t quite line up with the swell. Hang in there.

Rusty.

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