Portheras Cove - West Cornwall
Also known as Portherras Cove
Cornwall Beaches > West Cornwall > Portheras Cove
Portheras is one of the last remaining truly local beaches in West Cornwall. Located on one of the wildest stretches of Cornish coast between Pendeen and Morvah it isn't that easy to find.
Owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, the beach itself is a lovely sandy cove located at the end of a shallow valley with sheer cliffs at the northern end.
Until recently parts of the beach were out of bounds due to razor sharp fragments of an old wreck under the sand. In August 1963 the 454 ton cargo ship Alacrity, carrying anthracite from Swansea to Brussels, ran aground. In 2004 the wreck was finally cleaned up making the beach safe once again
Seals are a common sight here
directions: Leave St Just on the coast road (B3306) and take a left just before the village of Morvah. The only sign is one for Rose Valley. Follow this road to the end and you'll come to a car park in a field. Head through the farm and down the hill and you're there.
Alternatively follow the signs to Pendeen lighthouse about 2 miles out of St Just. You can park in the car park here and walk the mile or so to the beach.
Portheras Cove map: Drag the map with your mouse to navigate and use the + and - buttons to zoom in and out.
parking: Either park in the farm car park at the end of 'Rose Valley' or park in the Pendeen Watch car park.
Surfing at Portheras Cove
Portheras picks up plenty of swell but also has the advantage of facing almost due north. What this means is it is cross offshore in the prevailing south-westerly wind. So, on paper, it should be fairly consistent
From what I know this isn't really the case for one reason or another. It does occasionally have a quality shorebreak on a high tide and is popular with local body-boarders. It is also a very heavy wave so be warned!
Dogs: Dogs allowed
Nearest town: Penzance