An Introduction To Perranporth Surf
- Author | Matt K
- Updated | May 21, 2025
Perranporth surf is the perfect combination of reliable break, beautiful coastal views, and a friendly, mellow feeling that sets this place apart from the rest on the north coast of Cornwall. Whether you’re walking from town, riding a bike, or arriving by bus, Perranporth is super easy is get around.
The main draw is Perranporth Beach, a long, golden stretch of sand with consistent beach breaks that suit all levels. Just a few minutes walk from the town center, this location is great for everything from beginner foamie sessions to some solid rides for the higher skilled surfer. Surf schools, rental shops, and beachside cafes are all close to the beach so that you can gear up, dive right into the surf, and get right into the local UK surf scene.
Beyond the main beach, Perran Sands presents a much quiter alternative with reliable waves, while Holywell Bay, reachable by bike, delivers mellow surf and gorgeous scenery. For a little adventure, Chapel Rock and Trevaunance Cove offer variable conditions and a touch of rugged charm.
With its easy access breaks, friendly vibe and stunning scenery, Perranporth surf would be a treat for anyone looking for waves and car-free surf adventure.
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In This Guide
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Best Time To Surf Perranporth
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Peak Perranporth Surf Season | October to March
Suited For Intermediate & Advanced
Perranporth surf reaches its peak from October to March, as powerful Atlantic groundswells hit the north Cornwall coast. Perranporth surf is known for its long beach break that holds waves in the 4 to 8-foot range, providing punchy, fast rides for experienced surfers.
Winter brings the most reliable & consistent surf, although heavy storms can sometimes make conditions challenging. Crowds are fewer in these colder months, & Perranporth surf rewards those braving the chill with some of the best waves of the year.
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Shoulder Perranporth Surf Season | April, May & September
Suited For All Skill Levels
Spring & early autumn are great months for Perranporth surf, with waves in the 3 to 6-foot range. September sees the return of autumn swells, offering powerful yet slightly more manageable surf. April & May still see leftover winter energy mixed with playful spring conditions.
Perranporth surf during these times is ideal for all levels, with the added bonus of lighter crowds before & after summer’s peak tourist season. This is a great period to enjoy the area’s beautiful beaches & consistent surf.
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Low Perranporth Surf Season | June to August
Suited For Beginners & Intermediate
Summer brings smaller, softer waves to Perranporth surf, generally in the 1 to 3-foot range. The gentle waves create perfect conditions for beginners, longboarders, & those looking for mellow sessions.
While advanced surfers might find it lacking in challenge, Perranporth surf during summer is all about enjoying the beach lifestyle & fun, user-friendly waves. The area gets busy with tourists, but early mornings can still offer quiet, glassy sessions perfect for practicing technique or introducing friends to surfing.
Perranporth Surf Temperature, What To Wear & Rainfall Guide
Perranporth Surf Temperature:
14–17°C (57–63°F)
What To Wear:
A 4/3 mm wetsuit is ideal in summer. Warmer air temperatures allow for longer, more comfortable sessions without boots or gloves.
Rainfall:
Summer has about 8–12 rainy days per month. Showers are typically brief, & long stretches of sunny weather are common.
Perranporth Surf Temperature:
13–16°C (55–61°F)
What To Wear:
A 4/3 mm wetsuit works well into autumn, though many surfers switch to boots as water cools in November.
Rainfall:
Expect 13–16 rainy days per month during autumn. Rain becomes more persistent, especially as storms roll in from the Atlantic.
Perranporth Surf Temperature:
8–10°C (46–50°F)
What To Wear:
A 5/4 mm wetsuit with hood, boots, & gloves is essential. Sessions are short & brisk in these frigid conditions.
Rainfall:
Around 15–18 rainy days per month are common. Expect frequent storms, heavy showers, & high winds.
Perranporth Surf Temperature:
9–12°C (48–54°F)
What To Wear:
A 5/4 mm wetsuit with boots, gloves, & hood is standard in spring. As temperatures rise slightly in May, some surfers may drop the hood.
Rainfall:
Spring usually sees around 13–17 rainy days per month. Conditions vary day to day, with rain often paired with sunny breaks.
Surf Spots Within 5km or 3 Miles From Perranporth
| Perranporth Surf Spots | Distance from Perranporth | Wave Size | Wave Quality | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Perranporth Beach |
Approx. 0.5km (0.3mi) north |
2-8 foot |
Consistent beach break |
All levels |
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Perran Sands Beach |
Approx. 1km (0.6mi) north |
2-8 foot |
Expansive beach break |
All levels |
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Chapel Rock |
Approx. 1km (0.6mi) west |
1-4 foot |
Gentle, beginner-friendly |
Beginner |
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Holywell Bay |
Approx. 5km (3.1mi) north |
2-6 foot |
Challenging beach break |
Intermediate to advanced |
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Trevaunance Cove |
Approx. 5 km (3.1mi) southwest |
2-6 foot |
Quality beach break |
Intermediate to advanced |
Further Information To Perranporth Surf Spots
Ideal Conditions:
- Tide: Mid to high tide
- Wind: East or southeast
- Swell Direction: West
- Crowd Factor: Moderate
Perranporth Beach is a long, sandy beach break offering multiple peaks that handle a range of west swells, especially when paired with light easterly or southeasterly winds. Best at mid to high tide, the waves provide fun, rippable walls with occasional hollow sections on the right sandbanks.
The beach can handle a good size swell, offering waves suitable for intermediates & up. Due to its size, the crowd disperses, making it a more relaxed spot compared to nearby more popular beaches. Its versatility & consistency make it a dependable spot throughout most of the year.
Rating: 4/5
Ideal Conditions:
- Tide: Mid tide
- Wind: East or southeast
- Swell Direction: West
- Crowd Factor: Low
Perran Sands Beach is an extension of Perranporth Beach offering similar beach break peaks but often with fewer surfers. It favors a west swell with easterly or southeasterly winds at mid tide, where clean, manageable waves peel over a sandy bottom.
The waves are generally softer & more forgiving, making it ideal for longboarders & beginners looking for uncrowded conditions. The open beach can produce fun, playful peaks when the banks are aligned but lacks the power & consistency of nearby Perranporth. Its remote feel & quiet atmosphere make it a favorite for laid-back sessions.
Rating: 3/5
Ideal Conditions:
- Tide: Low to mid tide
- Wind: Southeast
- Swell Direction: West or northwest
- Crowd Factor: Low
Chapel Rock is a reef-influenced section of Perranporth, located near the iconic rock itself. It works best during low to mid tide on a west or northwest swell with light southeasterly winds. The wave offers a punchier takeoff with some steeper, faster sections compared to the beach breaks around it.
While it’s not as consistent as the main beach, it provides a more focused peak that can deliver fun walls for intermediate surfers. The spot remains relatively quiet due to its localized take-off zone & requires good sand alignment for optimal performance. It can handle small to moderate swells well.
Rating: 3.5/5
Ideal Conditions:
- Tide: Mid tide
- Wind: Southeast
- Swell Direction: West or northwest
- Crowd Factor: Low
Holywell Bay is a quiet, scenic beach break that works best on a west or northwest swell with light southeasterly winds during mid tide. The waves here are generally soft & mellow, offering long, crumbly peaks ideal for beginners & longboarders.
Due to its remote setting, Holywell Bay remains uncrowded, even when nearby beaches are packed. It requires a solid swell to offer anything more than small, playful waves, & is not suited for high-performance surfing. It’s an excellent spot for relaxed, low-pressure sessions, with clean, glassy conditions on offshore wind days.
Rating: 3/5
Ideal Conditions:
- Tide: Mid tide
- Wind: Southeast
- Swell Direction: West
- Crowd Factor: Moderate
Trevaunance Cove is a small, sheltered cove that offers a wedgy beach break with fun left & right peaks. It works best on a west swell with light southeasterly winds during mid tide, where the waves can become punchy & playful.
The cove’s protection from the wind makes it a good option when nearby spots are blown out. It handles small to medium swells well, but its compact nature means the crowd can feel intense during good conditions. The wave offers a steeper face, making it suitable for intermediates & up.
Rating: 3.5/5
Travel Time To Perranporth Surf Spots
| Perranporth Surf Spots | Walking Time | Biking Time | Public Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
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Perranporth Beach |
5-10 min. |
5 min. |
Not required |
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Perran Sands Beach |
Approx. 15 min. |
5-10 min. |
Not required |
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Chapel Rock |
Approx. 15 min. |
5-10 min. |
Not required |
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Holywell Bay |
Not advised |
Not advised |
35 min. bus or 15 min. taxi |
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Trevaunance Cove |
Approx. 1 hr. |
Approx. 30 min. |
25 min. bus or 10 min. taxi |
Accommodation In Perranporth
With the help of Trip.com, it is easy to find a suitable place to stay during your surfing trip to the UK. They have various accommodation types to choose from, including luxury resorts and budget guesthouses, located nearby to the beaches. Booking early means less hassle and more time spent riding waves!
To further enhance the UK surfing experience, Tripaneer organizes surf camps that combine professional coaching, comfortable accommodation, and opportunities for meeting up with fellow surfers. The surf camps are excellent ways to work on your techniques while soaking up the culture of UK surfing.
| Accommodation Type | Description | Price Range (EUR)* | Price Range (USD)* |
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Hostels |
Dormitory-style accommodation |
€22 to €55 |
$25 to $60 |
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Mid-range Hotels/Serviced Apartments |
Studio apartments, motels, or 1-bedroom units |
€90 to €220 |
$100 to $240 |
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Luxury Stays |
Luxury beachfront resorts or high-end apartments |
€280 to €550+ |
$300 to $600+ |
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*Rates are per night and subject to change. |
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Perranporth Surf Lessons & Surf Schools
Perranporth surf schools offer a fun & friendly way to learn, with long sandy beaches & forgiving waves ideal for beginners & early improvers. Stoked Surf School delivers a fun, supportive environment, focusing on helping beginners and intermediate surfers develop confidence in the water.
Perranporth Surf School provides expert coaching with a personal touch, ensuring students receive tailored instruction to suit their skill level. Peg’s Surf Coaching specializes in high-quality lessons designed to help surfers refine techniques and progress faster.
With helpful instructors & a relaxed coastal setting, Perranporth surf schools make building your surf skills both enjoyable & accessible.
Perranporth Surf Camp
Although Perranporth doesn’t have a surf camp, we do recommend a venture to Newquay for a real surf camp experience with Base Surf Lodge who have 4-day or 6-day surf package deal. More information can be found on our Newquay surf page!
Perranporth Surfboard Hire
Perranporth surfboard hire provides easy access to quality boards just steps from the beach, so you can spend less time planning and more time surfing.
Stoked Surf School offers a diverse selection of well-maintained boards, perfect for riders of all levels. Perranporth Surf School also provides convenient rentals, ensuring surfers have access to foamies, longboards, and shortboards to suit the local conditions.
Whether you’re out for a casual wave or putting in some practice, Perranporth surfboard hire ensures you’re well-equipped for the day’s conditions.
Perranporth Surf Report & Surf Cam
Since monitoring when waves come good in the UK can be quite an affair, Surf-Forecast gives you swell forecasts, including swell size, wind direction and strength and tide charts. Surfline gives live cams on some of UK’s best surf breaks. This will need a paid subscription to be able to access the live feeds, but in all fairness, it is worth it.
A Drimsim eSIM or a Yesim eSIM comes already activated the moment you set foot in the UK, so no time wasted, you just surf and have fun. Now you can check tides, watch live surf cams, or share your UK surf highlights at your convenience.
How To Get To Perranporth Surf
- Newquay Airport (NQY) To Perranporth
Distance: 18km (11mi)
To reach Perranporth surf, the most convenient route is to fly into Newquay Airport (NQY) & then take a local bus to your destination. Below is a quick guide with various transportation options to help you choose the best way to get to Perranporth based on your preferences.
Public Transport
Approx. 1-1.5 hrs.
Details:
From Newquay Airport, take the Go Cornwall Bus 56 to Newquay town center. From Newquay, transfer to the First Kernow Bus 87, which runs directly to Perranporth. This route is affordable & reasonably straightforward, though services can be limited in the evenings & during off-peak months.
Travelers should check timetables in advance, as buses may have seasonal schedules. The journey offers pleasant views of Cornwall’s north coast & is a good budget choice for those not in a rush.
Shuttle Service
Approx. 30-45 mins.
Details:
Some local travel companies & surf lodges offer shuttle transfers between Newquay Airport & Perranporth. These are generally arranged in advance & operate on flexible schedules, often timed with flight arrivals.
Pre-book your shuttle with HolidayTaxis or Welcome Pickups for a prompt ride upon landing. Your shuttle will be waiting at the airport to take you comfortably & quickly to the beach.
United Kingdom Travel Information | 7 Essentials You Need To Know
If you’re planning a surf trip to the United Kingdom, a few key travel details will help. The country uses British Pounds, and card transactions are accepted everywhere. Tap water is safe to drink. Emergency services are easy to access by calling 999.
For a full breakdown of all 7 essentials, including health care access, visa requirements, and local safety tips, our United Kingdom surf page gives you everything you need to be prepared.
Travel Insurance For Your Perranporth Surf Trip
A perfect surf adventure in the UK is very much imaginable, but reality can introduce a number of complexities. A fever, a missed connection, or damaged gear can cost you more than just time. Travel insurance provides a contingency plan for the sudden chances of changes in your plans. VisitorsCoverage offers the simplest policies meant to protect travelers.
Be it medical care or replacing essentials, you won’t be alone in handling it. Don’t let small bumps derail your surfing dreams; right coverage means you stay in control. Ups ad downs, self-assured, while keeping those surf plans in the UK.
Discover Perranporth: What To Do When The Waves Are Flat
When waves aren’t on, Perranporth has plenty to offer. Here are 4 activities to enjoy during downtime.