Porthtowan

A large, popular north-coast surf beach with extensive parking, shops, surf hire and a seasonal lifeguard service.

Beach & safety

Water quality: Excellent

Lifeguard: seasonal (RNLI, summer)

Hazards: strong rip currents possible, especially around the rocky headlands,surfers and swimmers share the water - stay in flagged zones

Amenities: cafes · shops · surf shop · toilets (disabled access) · first aid station · lost child centre · paid parking (137 spaces)

Dogs

Official source: View the rule at source →

Family

137 parking spaces (4 disabled, fee April-September), cafes, shops, surf shop, toilets and a first aid station.

Fishing

Porthtowan supports surf bass, small-eyed ray, dogfish and winter whiting over sand, with pollack, wrasse, mackerel and garfish around the rocky ends in settled conditions. Flooding tides into dusk are the core window.

Species reported: Bass, Small-eyed ray and dogfish, Whiting and flatfish, Pollack, wrasse, mackerel and garfish

Crabbing

not verified for line crabbing — Rock pools are supported at low tide, but no protected family line-crabbing edge was verified.

Access & parking

Beach-level paid car park (137 spaces incl. 4 disabled). Sat-nav: TR4 8AW. Get directions →