It can be visited in fair weather by bilge keel yachts or other vessels prepared to take ground, but even at the best of times approach and entrance require care. Visiting boats should not cut close to the pier or the rocks opposite, but keep to the safe channel midway. The outer harbour is exposed to south-west and west winds and swells. The outer harbour is not a safe anchorage, and so Porthleven harbour is effectively closed at these times. In doubtful weather, always ascertain if the harbour is open by contacting the Falmouth Coastguard on VHF Channel 16.
Closure is signalled by hoisting a red ball on the flagstaff near the prominent clock tower.
By night, the fixed green leading lights are OFF when the harbour is closed. A small drying harbour. There are two metres of water just inside the inner harbour at half-tide, although the harbour is shallower at the northern end. Pilotage Porthleven is to the north of the long, sandy beach of Loe Bar. On approach keep offshore and out of shallow water until harbour entrance can be picked up by the conspicuous clock tower and vessel is in a position to make an entry.