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.
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.
Our tide forecast for Porthleven Beach in Cornwall.
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.
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.
Godrevy and Leggan Coves are two beaches separated by Leggan Point. To access Leggan Cove you will need low tide to go around the point from Godrevy. The beach is sandy although does have some shingle and rocky parts. Backed by grass covered shingle banks this is a nice location and rarely busy. No facilities, with the nearest (limited) parking in Read more…
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. Read more…
Coverack has a beautiful seaside location and is another attractive Lizard village that grew up round smuggling and fishing. Protected by a tiny harbour wall built of local materials hundreds of years ago, and moors enclose the opposite side. Everything within the village. We have no dog information for Coverack beach. Read more…
Gunwalloe beach is a sandy (fine shingle) family beach with a stream running through the beach, ideal for paddling. National Trust car park above the beach along with a cafe. We have no dog information for Gunwalloe beach. Read more…
Polpeor Cove a south facing small coarse dark grey sandy beach situated at Lizard Point itself. The cove is dominated by the Old Lizard Lifeboat Station. Due to its location the beach is not suitable for swimming. Cafe, pub, shop, parking and toilets are all at Lizard Point. We have no dog information for Polpeor Cove beach. Read more…
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 Read more…
Porthoustock beach is a pebble beach surrounded by old quarries. This is not so picturesque as other Cornish coves. The beach is popular launching beach for divers as Porthoustock’s proximity to The Manacles, a set of treacherous rocks by Manacle Point means that it has lots of shipwrecks. Limited facilities. Read more…
Church Cove beach is a west facing sandy beach with rock pools. The name comes from a small church set below the low cliffs at the northern end of the beach and this has an unusual bell tower standing about 3 metres to the side of the church and cut into the cliffside. Limited parking available. We have no dog Read more…
Jangye Ryne beach is a small sandy beach on a very rocky stretch of coastline. Limited parking and toilets. We have no dog information for Jangye Ryne beach. Read more…
Kennack Sands a sandy beach with rock pools. At high tide the beach is split into two but at low tide is is a very large beach. East facing beach popular with surfers of all abilities. Facilities include car park, toilets, cafe, beach shop. Read more…
Lizard Lighthouse is a landfall and coastal mark giving a guide to vessels in passage along the English Channel and warning of the hazardous waters off Lizard Point. Many stories are told of the activities of wreckers around our coasts, most of which are grossly exaggerated, but small communities occasionally and sometimes officially benefited from the spoils of shipwrecks, and Read more…
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. Read more…
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.
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.
2 Reviews on “Porthleven Beach (Cornwall)”
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.
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.