Portreath Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, grab a brew, let’s have a look at what’s happening for Portreath over the next couple of weeks.

Overall, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The start of the period is a write-off, but there’s a small window of clean, glassy surf this weekend if you’re keen. Beyond that, the ocean gets a bit messy with some real chunky, unmanageable swell, and then a few promising pulses right at the end that are worth keeping an eye on.

The first real chance to get wet is on Saturday morning, the 5th of September. The wind is glassy, and it’s clear skies. We’re looking at 5ft of swell out of the west, with a solid 12-second period pushing through. That’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy is sitting at 628 (moderate) – enough to get you moving. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 64°F. This is a good window for an intermediate surfer, with clean conditions. The swell is a bit long in period for a beach break, so it might be a bit straight, but on the right tide, it’ll be fun.

Saturday afternoon drops off a touch to 4ft, and the wind goes light offshore from the WNW, so it’ll stay clean. Period drops to 11 seconds, still decent. It’s a bit marginal, but after the morning, it’s worth a paddle.

Then we hit a dry spell. Sunday the 6th is tiny, with poor conditions. The following week is a write-off. Monday the 7th sees a big jump to 8ft of west swell, but it’s onshore and choppy, with a massive 1635 combined energy (strong). That’s awful for a paddle. Tuesday the 8th is even bigger at 8ft, with onshore winds and 1027 energy – that’s a messy, dangerous beach break for experts only, and even then, it’s not good. Wednesday the 9th drops off but stays onshore. The whole week is a mess.

Thursday the 10th offers a slight glimmer. The morning is a bit ugly with a fresh offshore wind from the SE, but the swell is 7ft at a short 7-second period. However, the afternoon shows promise: 6ft WSW swell, with a clean cross-offshore breeze from the ENE and a combined energy of 461 (moderate). This is worth a look if the wind holds.

The next real standout is a long way out, on Tuesday the 15th of September. The swell jumps up to 5ft in the morning, but the wind is cross-shore and messy. The afternoon is bigger at 6ft, and the period is a massive 16 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. The combined energy hits 1519 (very strong). However, the wind is cross-on and choppy. This is a classic case of heavy, powerful groundswell that’s going to be unruly and straight at a beach break. It’s not a surfer’s friend.

Wednesday the 16th of September morning could be the one to watch. The swell drops to 5ft from the WNW with a 13-second period, combined energy of 703 (moderate). The wind is light cross-on from the west, with just small ripples. It’s marginal, but it’s the cleanest of the late period. If you have to pick a day, this is it, but don’t expect perfection.

For the rest of the run, it’s too small, too onshore, or too messy. The 18th of September sees tiny, clean offshore conditions, but with only 1ft of swell, it’s a lake.

So, in short: Saturday morning, the 5th of September, is your best bet. The glassy conditions and clean 5ft west swell will be the most fun you’ll see. Wednesday the 16th of September is a distant second, but treat it as a hopeful punt.

Rusty.

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