- Best for
- Improvers, lessons in season
- Break
- Exposed cove break
- Lifeguards
- Seasonal
- Dogs
- Not allowed 15 May–30 Sep, 10am–6pm
- Parking
- Village car park
- After-surf
- Bars and cafés on the beach
Cornwall beach guide
Porthtowan at a glance
Porthtowan is a small surf village in a valley on Cornwall's north coast, about two miles south-west of St Agnes. The beach is right at the bottom of the village, so the car park, toilets, cafés and beach bars are only a short walk from the sand. Sandstone and slate cliffs frame the bay, and it all sits within the Godrevy Head to St Agnes heritage coast and the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.
The tide changes everything here. At high water the beach shrinks, a steep bank can build against the promenade and waves break hard close to the shore. As the sea drops back, a wide sweep of firm sand and rock pools opens up, and on a low tide you can walk along the shore to Chapel Porth, below the Wheal Coates engine house. Check tide times before you set off, as the sea can cut off the stretches under the cliffs.
The name is usually translated from Cornish as 'landing place at the sand dunes'. The valley was busy copper country in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Wheal Towan was one of the county's most productive copper mines. By Victorian times Porthtowan had become a bank holiday outing for people from Redruth. Today it holds a Blue Flag, has seasonal RNLI lifeguards and draws a mix of families and surfers.
Surf guide
Surfing Porthtowan
Porthtowan is an exposed beach break that takes Atlantic swell from the west and north-west, and forecast sites rate it fairly consistent and surfable year-round. Peaks break both left and right off sandbanks that move around, and mid to low tide usually gives the best shape. South-easterly winds are offshore, and the cliffs give a little shelter from south-westerlies.
It gets busy, and it has a serious side. The RNLI has dealt with sudden flash rips here in rough surf, and rip currents are common around gutters in the sand and near the rocks. At higher tides the beach shelves into a fast shorebreak. On bigger days it's one for confident surfers; if you're newer, pick small days, stay between the black and white flags or book a lesson.
Improvers to intermediates
Best for surfers who can handle punchy peaks. Beginners should stick to small days or lessons.
Rips, rocks and shorebreak
Rips form around gutters and the rocks, and flash rips can appear in rough surf. Watch the shorebreak at high tide.
Mid to low tide, SE wind
Mid to low tide usually works best, with south-easterly winds offshore. Shifting banks mean the best peak moves around.
Learn & hire
Surf lessons and hire at Porthtowan
Surf schools marked 'Listed on Surfbooker' have profiles on this site with lesson formats and current-price guidance; Surfbooker passes enquiries on but has not reviewed them in person.
Parking, facilities & safety
Know before you go
Porthtowan Beach Car Park
A large pay-and-display car park just off Beach Road, right beside the sand. There's more paid parking in the village; don't block lanes when it's full.
Toilets, showers and a play park
Public toilets on the seafront with seasonal showers, a children's play park at the top of the beach, and beach bars and cafés close by. Ramps give mostly level access, though soft sand and the high-tide bank are harder going.
Seasonal RNLI patrol
RNLI lifeguards patrol from spring to autumn, daily through the summer. Check the RNLI website for this year's dates, then swim between the red and yellow flags and surf between the black and white.
Summer daytime ban
Cornwall Council bans dogs from the beach from 15 May to 30 September, 10am to 6pm. They're allowed outside those times.
From Truro or Redruth
Visit Cornwall lists the 304 from Truro and the 315 from Redruth. Redruth and Truro have mainline stations; check current timetables before you travel.
Accommodation
Where to stay near Porthtowan
Holiday lets and an eco campsite are close to the village.
On Surfbooker
The Rose in Vale Country House Hotel
Rose in Vale is an adults-only country house hotel set in ten acres of gardens in the hamlet of Mithian, inland from St Agnes. It has 22 rooms and suites.
View accommodationThe Unicorn on the Beach (rooms)
Surf House is the self-contained accommodation at The Unicorn on the Beach in Porthtowan, sleeping 12 across three bedrooms. It has an open-plan kitchen.
View accommodationMount Pleasant Eco Park
Mount Pleasant Eco Park is an off-grid-style campsite between Porthtowan and St Agnes with grass pitches, electric hardstandings, Shepherd's Huts and Eco.
View accommodationThe Perranporth Inn (nearby)
View accommodationThe Towan Valley holiday homes
Towan Valley is a cluster of holiday homes on the edge of Porthtowan, let individually through agencies. No. 11, for example, sleeps six with a private.
View accommodationChapel Porth Farm Campsite
View accommodationSurfbooker only marks a stay as reviewed when we have stayed there ourselves. Other listings are researched or owner-supplied; check rates, board storage and cancellation terms directly.
Beyond the surf
Things to do around Porthtowan
Chapel Porth & Wheal Coates
Walk the coast path north to the National Trust cove and engine houses.
Travel
Getting to Porthtowan
From the A30
About 10 minutes from the A30 near Redruth.
Worth the short drive
Nearby beaches and places
FAQs
Porthtowan: quick answers
Can dogs go on Porthtowan beach?
Not between 10am and 6pm from 15 May to 30 September, under Cornwall Council's rules. Outside those hours and dates, dogs are allowed.
Can you walk from Porthtowan to Chapel Porth?
Yes, along the beach at low tide, or at any time on the coast path over the cliffs. If you go by the shore, check tide times first, as the rising tide can cut off the beach below the cliffs.
Is Porthtowan good for beginners?
On small, clean days and inside the lifeguard flags, yes. It's an exposed beach with rips and a heavy shorebreak at high tide, so on bigger or windy days it's better left to experienced surfers or a lesson.
Where do you park at Porthtowan?
Porthtowan Beach Car Park, off Beach Road, is right next to the beach. There's also paid parking in the village.
Sources
How we checked this guide
Surfbooker desk research, checked October 2026. This guide is based on official and operator sources listed below, not on a personal visit. Parking charges, lifeguard dates, dog rules and opening times change — always check the latest information before you travel.
- Cornwall Council: dogs on beaches (restrictions table)
- RNLI: find a lifeguarded beach
- RNLI: lifeguards rescue 12 people at Porthtowan (July 2020)
- Visit Cornwall: Porthtowan Beach
- Cornish Secrets: Porthtowan Beach
- Cornwall Beaches: Porthtowan
- Wikipedia: Porthtowan
- Surf-forecast.com: Porthtowan
Photo: Joe Pritchard, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. All image credits.