St Agnes (St Agnes Coast)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
St Agnes at Mount Hawke is a North Cornwall beach break set in a cove, where surfing is described as fairly exposed but reliably rideable—especially in winter. The best month is consistently identified as February, and the recommended tide window for quality waves is mid tide. Wave action is centered on a sand-and-rock bottom with rocks and submerged boulders affecting the break. Reports describe challenging, powerful peaks that can throw waves up to very large lengths over a mixed bottom, and conditions are frequently described as good overall—though summer can trend flatter. On bigger swells, the wave can close out or become very heavy with strong rips. Wind for surfing is supported by the surrounding cliffs: south and southeast winds are described as offshore, and southwesterly winds are noted as being sheltered by the high cliffs. For wind sports specifically, wind is characterized as gusty and turbulent due to the topography, with low reliability for dedicated wind-kiting/foiling-type sessions. Safety is a central concern here. Rocks at both ends of the beach, rip currents (especially near rocky headlands), and dangerous shore dumping at high tide are repeatedly emphasized. Local tips focus on surf timing (mid-tide being safer and better) and checking the 'Bells' rock on the right-hand side of the cove when conditions and tide levels make it hazardous.
- Best month: February
- Best tide: mid tide
- Offshore/sheltered wind pattern for surfing when SW winds are present
- Important hazards from rocks, submerged boulders, and rip currents
- Reliable surfing in winter, with the best month highlighted as February.
- Beach break with both lefts and rights; generally good ride quality at mid-tide.
- Cliffs can shelter the cove from southwesterly winds, helping keep conditions usable when other beaches are blown out.
- Rocks and submerged boulders make exits and wipeouts more hazardous, especially at high tide.
- Rip currents are common near rocky headlands.
- Waves can become very heavy or close out on very large swells.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW
- Offshore directions
- SW
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind conditions are described as gusty/frontal, driven by North Atlantic systems.
- Reliability
- Low for wind sports; high cliffs can create wind shadows and turbulence.
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts — Strong gusting/turbulence reported.
- Best Months
- February
- Shadow Zones
- Heavy wind shadows and turbulence near the base of the cliffs in most directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach, but very rocky at higher tide.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Medium-sized waves; winter peaks can be powerful.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy access/launch via the main slipway or paths near Trevaunance Cove.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch/access is described as easy, though the beach changes substantially with tide.
Through the year
Often crowded here; can be extremely crowded in July and August and quieter in shoulder seasons and winter.
Winter months (November to February) are prone to heavy storms and rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Generally not recommended due to high cliffs causing turbulent wind and limited landing space at higher tides.
Rarely practiced due to gusty conditions from surrounding topography; nearby preferred when available.
Possible but challenging due to the walk down to the water and proximity of submerged rocks.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendliness is described as limited; water depth varies with tide.
A fairly exposed, reliable beach break with both lefts and rights. Strong winter peaks can throw challenging waves over a rock-and-sand bottom; mid-tide is consistently the best window.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide repeatedly highlighted as best; high tide brings more water against rocks.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Semi-sheltered from southwesterly winds by the surrounding high cliffs.
- Wind Effect
- South and Southeast winds are offshore; the cliffs provide significant shelter from southwesterly winds. Best described as offshore-best for wind direction.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells or become very heavy with strong rips.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good overall quality; summer can be mostly flat.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Often described as good with powerful peaks; overall wave power characterized as moderate to powerful depending on swell.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Beachie waves that can be powerful; described as mixed and also peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling wave shape; medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Reports range from ~50 m to ~100 m; medium typical rides.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Decent wall sections at mid-tide; rides reported around 50–100 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for St Agnes (St Agnes Coast) in the full forecast view.
St Agnes (St Agnes Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–32 ktsGusts 51 kts
- Direction
- SW233°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2432 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–5.7 m10s period
- Temperature
- 11–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, St Agnes (St Agnes Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–32 kts, peaking around 32 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 51 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 1.0–5.7 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Rocks at both ends of the beach
- Submerged boulders
- Rip currents
- High tide shore dump onto rocks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard cover is reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited; regional RNLI cover is seasonal on main beaches.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospital: Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske) in Truro.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism described as none-to-mild; still follow water-priority etiquette.
Rules of the spot
Respect local surfers and follow standard water priority rules; designated swimming areas may be marked in summer.
- Dog restrictions apply during summer months.
- Kite sports are discouraged during peak summer hours.
- The spot is best at mid-tide; at high tide the water pushes right up to the rocks, making exiting dangerous.
- Check for the 'Bells' rock on the right-hand side of the cove, which can be dangerous at certain tide levels.
- Be cautious around rocky headlands where rip currents are more common.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Mount Hawke
- Nearest Town
- St Agnes
- Nearest Airport
- Cornwall Airport Newquay (NQY)
- Parking
- Limited parking at the bottom of the cove; additional larger car parks are located at the top of the hill.
- Public Transport
- Limited local bus services connect St Agnes and Porthtowan to Truro and Redruth; a car is highly recommended for transporting gear.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation options include guesthouses, hotels, holiday cottages, and nearby camping in St Agnes.
- Food & Drink
- Several pubs and cafes are described near the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available at beach-side surf shops and schools (surf-focused).
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is generally limited to specific surf school customers or private accommodation; no public locker facilities.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs may be available through local surf shops; local surfboard repair services are available in the area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
St Agnes Coast is a rugged Atlantic-facing destination with dramatic cliff scenery and a strong surf culture, alongside nearby heritage and coastal walking highlights.
Iconic former tin mine engine house perched on the cliff edge, managed by the National Trust.
Local museum detailing mining, maritime, and social history.
Historic brewpub/hotel known for local ales and proximity to the cove.
Scenic long-distance hiking trail with dramatic views.
A high point offering panoramic views of the Cornish coast.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at St Agnes (St Agnes Coast)?
The best overall months at St Agnes (St Agnes Coast) are January, February, December. The best wind months are February.
Which wind directions work at St Agnes (St Agnes Coast)?
St Agnes (St Agnes Coast) works with SW winds. Offshore directions are SW.
What skill level is St Agnes (St Agnes Coast) suitable for?
St Agnes (St Agnes Coast) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Expert · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.