Porthmeor
Updated Fri 6 Nov 14:20
Quality
Swell
0.9ft
Tide
Weather
Latest shot · Porthmeor surf cam
6-day surf report
Updated Fri 6 Nov 14:20
Now · Fri 6
Cloud0.9ft
9s
Sat 7
Clear0.8ft
8s
Sun 8
Cloud0.7ft
8s
Mon 9
Cloud0.2ft
3s
Tue 10
Cloud1.0ft
8s
Wed 11
Drizzle1.0ft
8s
The beach
Porthmeor
Porthmeor sits on the St Ives run. Swell, wind and tide for this beach and the neighbours, so you can pick a peak before you leave the car park. Today is Cloud, 12°, 3kt NNW, gusts 5.
North-facing town beach. Comes alive on a northerly swell that misses most of the west coast.
When the rest of Cornwall is tiny, check here. High tide is punchier; mid is friendlier.
Faces NNW. Best swell W-NNE. Level: all. Crowd: busy.
On the sand
Before you paddle out at Porthmeor
Parking
Cornwall Council Porthmeor (TR26 1JU) is only 30 short-stay spaces, max 3 hours. Summer 9am-6pm: 30 min £1.60, 1 hour £2.50, 2 hours £5.10, 3 hours £6.20. Overflow: Trenwith in town (Visit St Ives quotes summer 24 hours £10.50).
Hire & lessons
St Ives Surf School is based on Porthmeor, five lesson levels from shallow-water beginners to paddling out the back, plus board and wetsuit hire on this beach.
Vibe
The RNLI calls Porthmeor a large, sheltered family beach, popular with surfers and swimmers, next to Tate St Ives. The school is a Centre of Excellence from first foamies through green-wave trimming.
Access & hazards
Met Office St Ives - Porthmeor (Beach): high risk of rips. RNLI 2026: daily 3 April-1 November, 10am-6pm. Beginners stay in the shallow water; advanced groups paddle out through bigger surf.
Sources Cornwall Council Porthmeor · St Ives Surf School · RNLI Porthmeor · Met Office Porthmeor
