Overview
Porthmeor is a north-facing beachbreak in the heart of St Ives, backed by the Tate Gallery and framed by rocky headlands over a stretch of golden sand. It serves up hollow, fast waves, with a good peak at the Boiler and a right off the island. That northwest-facing orientation adds a degree of shelter, so when big southwesterlies come rolling through it is a great spot to check. The bottom is mostly sand with the occasional rock outcrop.
When It Works
Porthmeor needs bigger swells to come alive, and it draws swell from southwest through northwest (SW-NW), with west swell the best match. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 1.8 m / 6 ft, and peels both left and right. The season runs through autumn and winter, with September to February the prime window. It can get heavy when it is big, and there is the occasional rock to keep an eye on.
Wind and Tide
Look for south offshore wind. It breaks through the tides, working on low and mid tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is a welcoming wave that suits everyone from beginners to experts, and it takes just about any board, from shortboard and fish to funboard, longboard, bodyboard, or bodysurfing. Expect a moderately busy lineup when it works, with a large, committed local crew and a somewhat reserved atmosphere.
Access
There is a small car park at the southern end of the beach and a larger one at the top of the hill behind the graveyard, both paid. In town you will find restrooms, a surf shop, and lifeguard cover.
