West Cornwall : Portreath Beach

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Portreath is like a smaller version of Porthowan; it is a lovely sandy beach shielded by a high headland at the left end, which provides shelter from the prevailing westerly winds. The beach also doesn't have a large tidal range, so the beach is relatively small throughout the tide, although this means you are never far from the facilities in the village behind it.

Portreath being smaller can cope with stronger winds and on a smaller swell will channel waves up onto the beach, however being a smaller beach the rides are not long and can often close out. There is a fast, right hand reef break off the rocks on the harbour wall, which adds variety to the beach break in the middle of the bay. The reef wave is fast, short and hollow, particularly at high tide and is popular with body boarders. This, coupled with the rocks makes it a wave best left to intermediate and above surfers with novices sticking to the shorter rides of the less intense beach break in the middle of the bay.

Portreath is a small village with a couple of good pubs and some attractive countryside if you need something to do after the being in the water or on the flat days. Redruth, Camborne and St Ives are just up the road if you need further things to do away from the beach.

Details
Driving Access: Excellent access via the B3300 from the main road (A30)
Car Park spaces: 120
Price: Less than £5, pay and display by the hour
Beach facilities: Public toilet, sports equipment hire
Beach type: Sand and some rocks
Break type: Beach and reef
Pub: The Waterfront & The Bassett Arms
Sort of wave: Plunging
Peaks: Various beach and reef off harbour wall
Left/Right: Both
Offshore wind direction: Southeasterly
Local highlights: The remote countryside
National Trust: No

Ratings
Ability: Novice - Legend
Kids: 1 - Just the beach
Other stuff: 1 - Lots of pubs
Access: 2 - steep step onto beach
Urban proximity: Village life
Water quality: Good

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