North Cornwall

Porthtowan Beach

Sandy

Seasonal

Yes

Yes

Seasonal

Blue Flag Beach –Cafe Nearby –Sand Castles –Surfing –Wide Beach

Porthtowan Beach

Porthtowan beach

Porthtowan beach

Porthtowan Beach low tide

TR4 8AW

Beach Information

Seasonal

Sandy

Porthtowan Beach toilets are located the car park area, and additional facilities are available towards the town but toilets are closed during dusk.

Easter School Holidays 01-16 April
Weekend Only 22-23 April
Daily 29 April-24 September
Weekends and Bank Holidays Only
30 September-15 October
October Half Term 21-29 October
Patrol times 10am – 6pm

Plenty of facilities at this Blue Flag beach along with easy, level access from beachside car park

Nearby Beaches

Chapel Porth Beach (1.0 Miles)
Trevaunance Cove Beach (2.9 Miles)
Portreath Beach (2.9 Miles)
Perranporth Beach (5.8 Miles)
Godrevy Beach (7.5 Miles)

Nearby Towns

St Agnes (2.4 Miles)
Portreath (2.8 Miles)
Redruth (3.8 Miles)
Perranporth (5.5 Miles)
Camborne (5.6 Miles)

Things to do near Porthtowan Beach

Porthtowan Tidal Pool/Rockpool (0.2 Miles)
Tobban Horse (0.5 Miles)
Great Wheal Charlotte (0.7 Miles)
Wheal Coates Tin Mine (1.3 Miles)
The Monkey Hut (2.8 Miles)

Important Beach Information

A Guide to Jellyfish in Cornwall & Their Stings

Read more

The Easy Way to Cold Water Swim in Cornwall

Read more

What is High Tide & Low Tide?

Read more

Spotted a stranded marine animal?

If you find a live seal, dolphin, whale, or turtle in distress on the beach, keep people and dogs well away and call BDMLR on 01825 765546 for expert help. Please don’t touch, feed, or move the animal.

Please call

your call could save its life.

Proud Supporters of

Porthtowan Beach

Porthtowan beach

Porthtowan beach

Porthtowan Beach low tide

Important Beach Information

A Guide to Jellyfish in Cornwall & Their Stings

Read more

The Easy Way to Cold Water Swim in Cornwall

Read more

What is High Tide & Low Tide?

Read more

Spotted a stranded marine animal?

If you find a live seal, dolphin, whale, or turtle in distress on the beach, keep people and dogs well away and call BDMLR on 01825 765546 for expert help. Please don’t touch, feed, or move the animal.

Please call

01825 765546

your call could save its life.

Proud Supporters of

Tourist Information

Porthtowan is another great example of a Cornwall beach and another golden sandy beach on the North Coast. During low tide Porthtowan nearly doubles in size stretching to around 1.5 miles which joins up with Chapel Porth and the cliffs of the famous Wheal Coates engine house. Porthtowan is set amongst cliffs which means theres great cover from wind along with that this beach is great for the family offering plenty of room for acitivites with the children including the rock pools that are uncovered at low tide!

This beach is known as a winner of Blue Flag awards having all the qualities you look for in a beach and amenities you would need including great food at the beachside bar and a small village shop just a few minutes away. Porthtowan is also a RNLI covered beach so this makes it a relatively safe beach but you should always be careful when entering the sea.

Swimming

Porthtowan beach is an ideal spot for swimming during calm days. However, it’s essential to assess the conditions before entering the water. For added safety, consider swimming in pairs or groups and make sure you are within the lifeguards’ view. If there are large swells, you can always explore the Porthtowan tidal pool during low tide.

Toilets

Porthtowan Beach toilets are located the car park area, and additional facilities are available towards the town but toilets are closed during dusk.

Rockpools

You and the family can enjoy finding marine life in rockpools at Porthtowan Beach for sure, the best rockpools uncover at low tide and are filled with creatures from crabs to prawns and even someones fish! The Porthtowan Beach rockpools are located either the left side or right side of the beach.

Low Tide

Low tide at Porthtowan Beach is the best time to visit as it opens the beach to a larger expanse of sand making it perfect for family fun. The back of the beach at Porthtowan Beach is generally quieter and is a great spot to find small rock pools filled with small marine wildlife.

High Tide

High tide at Porthtowan Beach can cover the entire beach but to be sure there is a beach when you visit a regular tide in Cornwall is around 5.2m to 5.7m but on larger tides especially spring tides you can expect Porthtowan Beach to be quite dangerous if there are spring tides mixed with bigger waves so please be careful and always check the tide times at Porthtowan Beach.

Getting here

By Foot

Accessible via coastal path from either Chapel Porth Beach, Portreath Beach or Trevaunance Cove area within a short walk away.

By Car

Take the A30 and exit at Chiverton Cross roundabout. Follow the B3277 towards St Agnes, then turn left for Porthtowan and continue until you reach your destination.

By Bus

Unfortunately due to ever-changing timetables we’re unable you give you the best information for all locations so please check the Cornwall bus timetables near you

Tide Times

Planning a beach day? Don’t forget to check the tide times in Porthtowan Beach today to make the most of your visit!

10 December 2025

Time	Type	Height
02:47	low	1.81m
08:52	high	6.29m
15:29	low	1.85m
21:22	high	5.74m

11 December 2025

Time	Type	Height
03:43	low	2.15m
09:47	high	5.94m
16:28	low	2.17m
22:19	high	5.43m

View full 7 day tide times.

Copyright 2025 © Tides Today. By using this data, you are agreeing to the Terms and Conditions

Weather Forecast

Be sure to check the Porthtowan Beach weather forecast ahead of time.

Surf information

Surf Height

Thigh high to Overhead (2-6ft) – tends to close out past 6ft.

Board Type

Shortboard, Fish, Bodyboard.

Tide

Works on all tides (Low tide is steeper and can get hollow, high tide is usually smaller).

Wind Direction

Southeasterlies Easterlies

Swell Direction

West

Ability

Intermediate to advanced. Not a beginner spot when over 2ft due to strong rips and steep, heavy waves

Porthtowan Beach FAQ

Where Is Porthtowan Beach?

Porthtowan beach is located in North Cornwall right near the popular destination of St Agnes.

Is Porthtowan Beach Dog Friendly?

Yes, although there is a seasonal dog ban between 15th May to 30th September from 10am to 6pm

Can You Swim At Porthtowan Beach?

Yes, Porthtowan beach is a good beach to swim at but always judge conditions before going in the sea and always swim with a partner.

Is There Toilets At Porthtowan Beach?

Yes, toilets are located on near the car park.

What Is Porthtowan Beach Postcode?

The postcode for Porthtowan Beach is TR4 8AD.

Nearby Beaches

North Cornwall

Trevaunance Cove Beach

Sandy

Yes

Yes

No

North Cornwall

Portreath Beach

Sandy

Seasonal

Yes

Yes

North Cornwall

Porthtowan Beach

Sandy

Seasonal

Yes

Yes

West Cornwall

Gwithian Beach

Sandy

Yes

Yes

No

West Cornwall

Godrevy Beach

Sandy

Seasonal

Yes

No

North Cornwall

Chapel Porth Beach

Sandy

Seasonal

Yes

Yes

Check your travel time to the property

Nearest Locations

St Agnes (2.38 miles)
Portreath (2.76 miles)
Redruth (3.8 miles)
Perranporth (5.53 miles)
Camborne (5.64 miles)

Nearest Activities

Porthtowan Tidal Pool/Rockpool (0.19 miles)
Tobban Horse (0.45 miles)
Great Wheal Charlotte (0.68 miles)
Wheal Coates Tin Mine (1.27 miles)
The Monkey Hut (2.78 miles)

Nearest Beaches

Chapel Porth Beach (0.96 miles)
Trevaunance Cove Beach (2.89 miles)
Portreath Beach (2.92 miles)
Perranporth Beach (5.77 miles)
Godrevy Beach (7.54 miles)

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