Porthtowan Beach

Porthtowan Beach is a large sandy beach popular with both surfers (good for beginners) and families. A small dune area also backs the beach, and as the tide goes out, you have some rockpools to explore.

To the northeast of the bay, you have a concrete dam in the rocks, creating a nice tidal rock pool, although you need to be very cautious of the tides as you could be cut off.

At low tide, you can take a 15-minute walk along the beach to neighbour Chapel Porth, alternatively, lots of cliff-top walks. This walk takes you below the Towanroath engine house at Wheal Coates, which is one of the iconic locations of this tin and copper mining county.

Porthtowan Beach has seasonal dog restrictions, prohibiting dogs from 15th May to 30th September between 10 am – 6 pm.

Facilities at the beach include a large car park, shop, wetsuits and board hire, cafe, pub, toilets and lifeguards in summer.

The name “Porthtowan” comes from the Cornish words “porth” meaning port or harbour and ‘tewyn” meaning dune.