Treyarnon (North Cornwall)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Treyarnon is a compact sandy cove in North Cornwall known for a left-hand wave with a dual character: an inside beach-break section that can suit less-experienced surfers, and an outside rock/reef-related section that’s more demanding and can be fickle. Conditions depend strongly on tide and swell. Multiple descriptions point to low tide as a key time for the left-hand reef/outer wave, while guidance also notes that the reef section can be best around mid to high tide depending on how the reef is working that day. Swell around 1–2.5 meters is described as an effective window, and one source notes that the wave tends to close out when swell gets above roughly 2.5 meters. Wind is strongly variable for clean riding. In February, the spot is reported as frequently blown out, with a much smaller fraction of time showing clean, surfable conditions; East winds are described as favored, while South-East conditions are described as grooming/cross-offshore. This means even in months that otherwise have good surf potential, you should expect frequent blown-out periods. Safety is a primary concern: rocks and reef hazards are present, and rip currents are commonly reported—especially near the rocks at the southern end. Keep clear of swimming zones during summer months, be mindful of crowds (it can become extremely busy in July and August), and plan gear and spot choice accordingly.
- Distinct left-hand wave
- Inside beach-break character alongside a more hazardous outside reef section
- Winter/February cited for consistent surfing potential (though often blown out)
- Seasonal lifeguards during summer
- Good-quality left-hand surf with a consistent character
- Sheltered sandy cove feel for at least part of the wave
- Seasonal lifeguard coverage during summer and peak holiday periods
- Relatively quick access from the car park
- Reef/rock hazards and submerged rocks at both ends of the bay
- Rip currents can be strong, especially near the rocks
- Wind can be unreliable for clean conditions (notably blown-out conditions in February)
- Crowds can build heavily in peak summer months and holidays
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Offshore directions
- SE, E
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Sources describe predominantly frontal winds and also indicate East winds are favored for the spot.
- Reliability
- 59% blown out in February; 18% clean in February (low overall reliability in one seasonal wind window source).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Blown-out vs. clean split reported for February (59% blown, 18% clean).
- Best Months
- February
- Shadow Zones
- Protected by high cliffs on the southern side in Southerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy cove/bay.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Sources describe small-to-medium waves, with the reef capable of working from under 1 m and holding to 2 m+.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Some sources characterize conditions as chop; another source frames it as blown-out frequently in February.
- Launch
- Small — Sandy beach with rocky outcrops on either side.
Through the year
Extremely busy during school holidays and summer weekends; quieter during winter months.
Winter months see the most frequent storms and heavy rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Rarely kitesurfed due to the relatively small bay and proximity to better spots; may be used in cross-shore winds but beware of cliffs and tourists.
Possible with clean swell, but the bay is narrow and rocks are significant hazards for foils.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Rocks and narrow approach make foiling hazardous.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
Dual-character wave: a beginner-friendlier inside beach break with an outside left-hand section breaking off rocks/reef that can be more advanced and fickle.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W, NNE, NNW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is repeatedly cited as best for the reef/outer section (with additional guidance that the reef section is best mid to high for some setups).
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Sheltered sandy cove character is described; one source also notes semi-sheltered.
- Wind Effect
- Onshore-favorable East winds are reported; South/South-East cross-offshore winds from the South-East groom waves effectively.
- Bigger Swell
- Closes out when swell exceeds about 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality is consistently reported as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Rating/power described as ordinary to moderate; wave power reported as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Sources describe mixed shapes (reef and sand interaction) and also cite peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Mixed sources describe peeling waves and a medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — Typically short; some sources note up to ~50 meters and also ranges up to 50–100 m depending on sandbar/conditions.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Up to about 50 meters is noted; another source describes short, punchy rides with fast sections depending on sandbar formation, with typical lengths often in the ~50–100 m range.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Treyarnon (North Cornwall) in the full forecast view.
Treyarnon (North Cornwall) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–32 ktsGusts 52 kts
- Direction
- SW230°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2432 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–5.6 m9s period
- Temperature
- 10–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Treyarnon (North Cornwall) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–32 kts, peaking around 32 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 52 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 1.1–5.6 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- Reef
- Rip currents
- Submerged reef
- Crowds
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards; more coverage during May–September.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Rescue availability is reported as yes, with seasonal lifeguard coverage.
- Emergency Info
- Lifeguards are on duty during the summer season and peak holidays. In an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; stay clear of designated swimming areas during summer months.
- Dog restrictions apply on the beach during summer months.
- Designated swimming zones are managed by lifeguards.
- The reef is fickle and hardly ever works; best from mid to high tide for the reef section.
- Best wave is the left near the rocks at the southern end, especially around low tide.
- Avoid the summer swimming areas and watch for strong rip currents near the rocks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- St. Merryn
- Nearest Town
- St. Merryn
- Parking
- National Trust car park with standard charge for non-members; one source also notes a nearby car park immediately behind the beach that fills very early in summer. No entrance fee for the beach itself.
- Public Transport
- Limited rural bus services connect St Merryn to Padstow and Newquay; private vehicle recommended for transporting gear between spots.
- Access
- Take the B3276 between Padstow and Newquay, turn toward St Merryn, and follow minor lanes down to the coast. Parking is available at the National Trust car park (fee for non-members). Walking distance is under 5 minutes from the car park.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Several holiday parks, campsites, and youth hostels are within walking distance of the beach.
- Food & Drink
- A small shop and cafe are located near the car park, and there is a pub within walking distance.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated rental shop on this specific beach; one source suggests nearby areas (e.g., Constantine or Harlyn) offer full services.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A coastal surfing area focused around short walks between bays and a strong North Cornwall outdoor tourism culture.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Treyarnon (North Cornwall)?
The best overall months at Treyarnon (North Cornwall) are February, September, October, November. The best wind months are February.
Which wind directions work at Treyarnon (North Cornwall)?
Treyarnon (North Cornwall) works with E winds. Offshore directions are SE, E.
What skill level is Treyarnon (North Cornwall) suitable for?
Treyarnon (North Cornwall) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.