Portreath Harbour Wall Reviews and Ratings
(North Cornwall, UK)
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Visitor reviews of Portreath Harbour Wall surf break
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“A reveiw of Portreath harbour wall. Well the wall is built out of locally quarried granite it has some very interesting pointing. The main feature of the wall is to protect the boats in the harbour from the open ocean swell. It's structure follows the contours of the large section of rocks on which it sits, among the rocks is a large sea water swimming pool. On the end of the wall is a white structure in which people used to shelter waiting for lines from boats going into the harbour. The wall has a kink in it and the prevailing waves tend to push into the wall making a very basic ride impossible. The angle of the wall combined with the swimming pool has the ability of causing the unaware a fright. Oh it's not a good place to duck dive either due to the lack of water that cover the rocks. But I love it. Oh did I mention the fact that it really is rubbish!!”
Steve from UNITED KINGDOM - 07 Aug 2012
Portreath Harbour Wall Ratings
Overall: 2.0. Based on 2 votes and 2 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 3.5(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 4.0(1: Portreath Harbour Wall is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 5.0(1: Portreath Harbour Wall is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in North Cornwall. 5: the best break in North Cornwall). |
Difficulty Level: 3.0(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 5.0(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Portreath Harbour Wall can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 5.0(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Portreath Harbour Wall, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 5.0(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Portreath Harbour Wall are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 3.5(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 3.5(1: Often too crowded. 5: Portreath Harbour Wall is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 5.0(1: Getting to Portreath Harbour Wall requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 5.0(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 5.0(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 5.0(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Portreath Harbour Wall for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 5.0(1: Camping at Portreath Harbour Wall is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 5.0(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Portreath Harbour Wall is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 5.0(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 5.0(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Portreath Harbour Wall, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 5.0(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Portreath Harbour Wall where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
“Have spent the best part of my life from the early 80's surfing this and seeing as Portreath has produced more top body boarders than any other beach in the UK I recon it's a very decent ride.”
steve from UNITED KINGDOM - 07 Aug 2012

