Porthleven
Porthleven, England (Cornwall), United Kingdom
Sports: Surfing
Best time to go: January–April, October–December
Porthleven is a fishing harbour on the south coast of Cornwall, west of Helston. Just west of the harbour entrance a flat rock reef turns south-west swells into heavy, hollow rights and shorter lefts. North-easterly and northerly winds blow offshore, and the wave is at its best in autumn and winter.
The reef is shallow, and the wave breaks hard over it, so wipeouts can mean injuries; the line-up is crowded and experienced. Paddle out from the harbour area, and watch for the rocks and the harbour entrance when coming in. Spectators can watch from the harbour wall and the clock tower, staying clear of the edge in big seas.
Month by month at Porthleven
- January: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 2.9 m, water 10°C, air 10°C (nights 5°C), 11 sunny days, 17 rainy days
- February: 16 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 14 knots, waves 2.8 m, water 10°C, air 11°C (nights 7°C), 13 sunny days, 17 rainy days
- March: 16 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 2.5 m, water 10°C, air 12°C (nights 7°C), 22 sunny days, 18 rainy days
- April: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 2 m, water 11°C, air 13°C (nights 8°C), 24 sunny days, 15 rainy days
- May: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 13°C, air 16°C (nights 11°C), 28 sunny days, 14 rainy days
- June: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 15°C, air 18°C (nights 13°C), 25 sunny days, 17 rainy days
- July: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 16°C, air 20°C (nights 15°C), 27 sunny days, 14 rainy days
- August: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 17°C, air 20°C (nights 15°C), 27 sunny days, 15 rainy days
- September: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 16°C, air 18°C (nights 13°C), 22 sunny days, 18 rainy days
- October: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 2.3 m, water 15°C, air 16°C (nights 12°C), 20 sunny days, 20 rainy days
- November: 17 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 14 knots, waves 2.8 m, water 13°C, air 13°C (nights 9°C), 14 sunny days, 19 rainy days
- December: 18 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 15 knots, waves 2.9 m, water 12°C, air 11°C (nights 7°C), 9 sunny days, 19 rainy days
When is the best time to go surfing at Porthleven?
January–April, October–December, when the waves are biggest.
How warm is the water at Porthleven?
10°C to 17°C over the year: a 4/3 full suit in the warmest month, a 5/4 with hood, boots and gloves in the coolest.
How windy is Porthleven?
About 153 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in December.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Porthleven
- Newquay – Fistral Beach (40 km)
- Croyde Bay (139 km)
- Freshwater West (176 km)
- Bournemouth – Boscombe (256 km)
- Cowes – the Solent (295 km)
More: All spots in United Kingdom · Surfing in United Kingdom
Compare with: Newquay – Fistral Beach vs Porthleven · Croyde Bay vs Porthleven