Gwithian

Cornwall · United Kingdom

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Gwithian (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/gwithian.

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On the east side of St Ives Bay, Gwithian Towans is a huge stretch of sand with dunes behind it and Godrevy lighthouse in view. It is a reliable beach break with peaks both ways, popular with surf schools and families. At low tide it joins Godrevy.

Level
Beginners
Break
Beach break, sand
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Busy
Season
autumn, winter, spring, summer
Boards
Foam boards and longboards for learners; a shortboard or fish when it is good.

When it works

✓ A 1–2 m west to north-west swell with an east to south-east wind, around mid tide.

When it doesn't

✕ Westerly winds, and big swells that close out and pull hard.

Watch out for

  • rips

Best months

April, May, June, September, October, November

Local tips

Don't swim near the stream at the south end. The concrete steps from the car park are steep.

Getting there

From the large Gwithian Towans car park, a short path leads to the cliff edge, then steps go down. Smaller car parks lie across the dunes.

Travel notes

How often it works
It usually has waves: it faces north-west and picks up most swells all year.
Crowd and vibe
Busy in summer with surf schools; friendly the rest of the year.
Camping and vans
Gwithian Farm Campsite is in the village, a short walk from the beach. Nearest campsite about 1 km away.
Facilities
Toilets, a café and lifeguards in summer.
Water quality
Rated excellent in the 2025 English bathing-water classification (Gwithian Towans).

Ideal conditions

Swell
W–NW best, WSW–N works
Size
1–2 m offshore swell; starts at 0.5 m, holds to 2.8 m
Period
8 s minimum, best from 11 s
Wind
Offshore E–S; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
mid best
Faces
WNW (300°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

Nearby spots

All spots in Cornwall · All spots

Sources