Porthtowan beach is a large sandy beach popular with both surfers (good for beginners) and families. The beach is also backed by a small dune area, 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.
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.
Porthtowan Beach is a Blue Flag Beach and has been awarded a regional Seaside Award.
Dog Friendly Beach?
Porthtowan beach has seasonal dog restrictions not allowing dogs from 15th May to 30th September between 10 am - 6 pm
Water samples are taken at regular intervals during the bathing season and at the end of the season the water quality is classified as: - Excellent: the highest classification meaning the water is cleanest - Good: generally good water quality - Sufficient: meets minimum standards - Poor: You are advised not to swim. The beach will stay open and an action plan should be in place to improve the water quality.
7 Day Weather Forecast
Today Expect a temp in the range 5.7℃ to 7.5℃ with wind speed 11.5 m/sec (NNE)
Friday, Jan 27 Expect a temp in the range 2.3℃ to 4.4℃ with wind speed 5.6 m/sec (NE)
Saturday, Jan 28 Expect a temp in the range 3.7℃ to 4.3℃ with wind speed 3.9 m/sec (ESE)
Sunday, Jan 29 Expect a temp in the range 5.1℃ to 7.2℃ with wind speed 2.6 m/sec (SSW)
Monday, Jan 30 Expect a temp in the range 7.4℃ to 9.9℃ with wind speed 7.5 m/sec (WNW)
Tuesday, Jan 31 Expect a temp in the range 6.2℃ to 7.2℃ with wind speed 2.5 m/sec (NW)
Wednesday, Feb 01 Expect a temp in the range 8.8℃ to 9.4℃ with wind speed 5.4 m/sec (WSW)
St Agnes weather forecast from Yr, delivered by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and NRK
Porthtowan Beach Tide Times
Tide times are available at around 600 locations and the closest location to Porthtowan Beach is at Perranporth 9.60 km (5.97 miles) away. Tides are displayed beneath for up to 7 days and we list both high and low water times along with the height. These times are not adjusted for BST.
Thu 26 Jan Low Tide at 02:22 (Height 0.96m) High Tide at 08:24 (Height 7.04m) Low Tide at 14:51 (Height 0.99m) High Tide at 20:45 (Height 6.51m)
Fri 27 Jan Low Tide at 03:07 (Height 1.27m) High Tide at 09:09 (Height 6.66m) Low Tide at 15:35 (Height 1.39m) High Tide at 21:30 (Height 6.13m)
Sat 28 Jan Low Tide at 03:53 (Height 1.67m) High Tide at 09:56 (Height 6.22m) Low Tide at 16:24 (Height 1.83m) High Tide at 22:20 (Height 5.72m)
Sun 29 Jan Low Tide at 04:45 (Height 2.08m) High Tide at 10:51 (Height 5.76m) Low Tide at 17:19 (Height 2.23m) High Tide at 23:18 (Height 5.37m)
Mon 30 Jan Low Tide at 05:53 (Height 2.43m) High Tide at 11:55 (Height 5.39m) Low Tide at 18:29 (Height 2.51m)
Tue 31 Jan High Tide at 00:32 (Height 5.18m) Low Tide at 07:13 (Height 2.60m) High Tide at 13:10 (Height 5.22m) Low Tide at 19:47 (Height 2.56m)
Wed 01 Feb High Tide at 01:51 (Height 5.23m) Low Tide at 08:29 (Height 2.50m) High Tide at 14:25 (Height 5.32m) Low Tide at 20:53 (Height 2.39m)
In this 'you may also like' section we attempt to answer what else can I do? Here you have a list by order of being the closest some more beaches, things to see and do, places to eat and upcoming events.
The Portreath Beach Cafe is located at the edge of the car park overlooking Portreath beach. The cafe serves breakfast, lunch, coffee and drinks. Read more…
The Basset Arms is a traditional pub located about 200 meters from Portreath beach and has an outside seating/eating area and a children’s playground. The pub serves a selection of homecooked meals and fine beers. Read more…
The John Francis Basset is a Wetherspoon pub in Camborne, Cornwall. Our pub offers a range of real ales, craft beers and freshly ground Lavazza coffee. Breakfast is served until noon, with our full food menu available until 11 pm. Read more…
Chapel Porth beach is a small sandy cove which at low tide extends to a wide beach beyond the cliffs. When the tide is out you can walk south along the beach to nearby Porthtowan. Alternatively, the South West coast path extends along the cliff top in either direction. Many caves scattered along this stretch of coastline formed by coastal Read more…
Sally’s Bottom beach consists of sand and rocks at the bottom of a steep descent via some steps. No facilities with access only on foot via a steep decent. Read more…
Gooden Heane Cove is a sandy beach with some rock pools to explore. The cove is named after Gooden Heane Rock that sits just off the beach. A large car park on Lighthouse Hill is just above the cove and it also walkable from Portreath town, although you can’t get down to the beach as vertical rock faces. The only Read more…
Portreath beach is a gently shelving sandy beach on Cornwall’s north coast. The bay has high cliffs on either side, along with a small working harbour. The name Portreath means “sandy cove” and Portreath harbour is steeped in history as it exported copper and imported coal to support the Cornish copper mines and included some shipbuilding. The beach at low Read more…
Little Escape is one of seven beach huts overlooking Towan Beach in Newquay, Cornwall. The hut has electric lighting, power sockets and heating along with being located within a secure gated complex that has a tap suitable for drinking and communal seating area. There is a shower on the beach. The hut is available for day use only and can Read more…
Porthgwidden Beach currently has 39 chalets which are available to hire on a weekly or seasonal basis. Located on the beach with views out over St.Ives bay towards Godrevy Lighthouse and Hayle beaches. Porthgwidden Beach is in the heart of St. Ives with access to all of the towns shops and places to eat. Read more…
Wheal Coates is a former cliff top tin mine situated on the north coast of Cornwall, between Porthtowan and St Agnes. It is maintained by the National Trust, for more details see National Trust website. Read more…
St Agnes Head is on Cornwall’s north Atlantic Ocean coast and part of the St Agnes Heritage Coast that stretches from Godrevy Head in the south to St Agnes Head. At their height about 100 mines employed 1000 miners across this dramatic coastal landscape. Mining came to an end in the 1920s and many of these mines are still on Read more…
The Surf HQ shop sits behind the car park on Portreath beach. The shop sells and hires wetsuits, bodyboards, surfboards, kayak, clothing and accessories. We also offer surfing and bodyboarding lessons. All equipment is provided it free of charge for your lesson and if you want to carry on using it for the rest of the day the kit is Read more…
St Agnes lifeboat station operates an inshore lifeboat located at Trevaunance Cove. Station open by appointment and the shop is open daily during the summer months. Read more…