Porthleven Beach (Cornwall)

Information
Porthleven beach is next to the harbour and near the village centre.
Porthleven beach is separated from the harbour by the granite pier which lies in front of the Porthleven institute and clock tower. When the tide is out it is possible to walk in an easterly direction along Porthleven beach for approximately three miles, past Loe Bar and Penrose Estate. Alternatively, you can walk along the coast path the coast path out of the village with the Porthleven beach below you.
At high tide, the beach all but disappears.
Excellent surfing location for intermediate to advanced surfers with a natural reef break. Best months is between September and December but you will always get a strong surfing community and on big days news will travel and may get packed.
On a calm day a good location for SUP with choices of the protected harbour and the beach front.
The beach is a short walk along the harbour to the village centre where you have parking, shops and a selection of cafe and pubs.
We have no current information on dog restrictions for Porthleven Beach.
Why not check other beaches nearby as we have no beaches around The Lizard, 215 beaches in Cornwall, or check our list of Cornwall Dog Friendly Beaches.
Video:
Beach Water Quality
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.
Tides
7 Day Weather Forecast
Our weather forecast for The Lizard in Cornwall is split into two widgets. The first shows a timeline containing temperature, wind, sunrise/sunset and chance of rain, whilst the second shows the forecast for the week ahead including severe weather alerts when available.
You may also like ...
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 Harbour Inn
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  The Harbour Inn is located on the harbour front at Porthleven on the Lizard Peninsula. Offers a wide selection of food and ales and as well as having seating inside has an outside area on the harbour wall.
- Loe Bar Beach
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  Loe Bar beach is actually made up of 2 parts; The Loe, which is the largest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall and the Bar, a half mile shingle/flint bank that separates the Loe from the sea. The uniqueness makes this a Designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The sea at this part of the coast is not suitable for swimming, as it shelves off very deeply close to the shoreline, the beach is also prone to freak waves and strong currents. Parking and facilities at Porthleven.
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  Loe Pool is Cornwall’s largest freshwater lake, separated from the sea by a great shingle bar. A variety of walks around the estate, including a circular route around the Loe.
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- Church Cove Beach
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- Poldhu Cove Beach
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- Godolphin
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  Polurrian Cove a large south west facing beach with sand and fine shingle. Popular with families in summer due to its proximity to Mullion and several caravan and camping sites. This part of the coast has excellent cliff walks north along Angrouse Cliff towards Poldhu Cove and south towards Mullion Cove. Facilities include a cafe, with parking a 10 minute walk away in Mullion village.
- National Seal Sanctuary
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- Bonython Estate Gardens
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  Bonython Estate Gardens is located on the Lizard Peninsula miodway between The Lizard and Helston. The estate includes the walled garden, the potager garden, two magnificent lakes, the hot garden, the valley garden and also a plant shop and refreshments. The gardens are open during the summer Mon-Fri excluding bank holidays.
- Mullion Cove Harbour
  8.4 km
  
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  Mullion Cove Harbour is a working small protected harbour cmpleted in the 1890s. Whilst the village has a wonderful collection of shops, pubs, cafes, restaurants, and art galleries. In the centre of the village, the 15th century church of St Mellanus with its carved oak bench-ends depicting biblical scenes.
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What do others think ...
2 Reviews on “Porthleven Beach (Cornwall)”
- Barnsey Post author
  
  1 year ago
  We visited and unlike the other reviewer seems were lucky and had nice calm weather. This was great for us and our kids as it was not too busy and they loved the rock pools by the harbour walls as well as the sand.
  The harbour area has some interesting shops and not just the usual Cornwall tourist tat. We had a meal in the Harbour Inn that although was not special was good value. Recommend this as a stop if you are touring the Cornish south coast.
  Reply ↓
- Anonymous
  
  5 years ago
  Always too rough.
  Been to Porthleven twice and on both occasions it has been too rough to go onto the beach. I am sure it is good but is exposed and so make sure it is a calm warm day.
  Reply ↓
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