South Cornwall

Praa Sands surf guide

Mount's Bay, Cornwall

Praa Sands is a long sandy beach on the south-west side of Mount's Bay. It is one of the area's main options when swell reaches the south coast.

Photo by Dave Barnwell

Break: Beach break
Exposure: South-west facing in Mount's Bay
Can suit: Improvers and experienced surfers when working

How the beach surfs

Praa needs a different swell window from the exposed north coast. When the bay receives enough energy, the beach can produce powerful, hollow waves over shifting banks. A flat-looking forecast elsewhere in Cornwall does not automatically describe Praa, and the reverse is also true.

Access and orientation

The main village access has parking and facilities close to the sand. The beach is backed by dunes and low cliffs, with rocky ends that become more relevant as size and tide rise.

Check before entering

Powerful, pitching waves
Rip currents beside the banks
Rocks at the ends of the beach

Nearest wave buoys

Offshore and inshore measurements near this beach. Distance is straight-line, not a prediction of breaking wave height.

View all wave buoys

Nearest webcams

Camera links open the provider's site in a new tab. Some services require paid access.

View all webcams

Five-day surf report

A calibrated report for this beach is planned. For now, use the measured buoy readings and cameras above, then inspect the beach on arrival.

Sources and review

Guide reviewed 23 August 2026. Official information can change at short notice.

Visit Cornwall Praa Sands beach guide, opens in a new tab