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Since the 19th century Porthleven has grown in population to the size of a small town, but it does have the amenities of a town and, is considered a satellite of Helston which is under three miles away. However, in a way, this is a saving grace because it has managed to retain an old world charm and character of its own, the centre of which is the wonderful harbour and surrounds.
Fishing is still carried on, mostly for lobster, crab, and crayfish and there are also pleasure craft moored in the inner harbour.
Today though, it has become an 'abandoned port' and is no longer used in trading.

The Harbour has had a difficult history since its first inception in 1811 and has never really lived up to expectations. The biggest problem is that Porthleven, facing to the south west, is subject to very severe winter gales and not only is it a perilous undertaking for vessels entering or leaving in stormy seas, but the breakwater and quays have been subject to extreme damage. The first harbour was completely  destroyed by a storm in 1824, it was rebuilt and the breakwater and closed dock area added in the 1850's. It was after this that there was an upturn in Porthleven's fortunes and by the 1880's there was a fleet of Pilchard boats working from here and together with boat-building, sail-making, and the docking of imports and exports, the harbour became a hive of activity, and in the days of trade in tin and coal with sailing vessels, it was an ideally situated port of call.

Starting at the harbour, the beach here stretches all the way to the far side of Loe Bar and if the tide is well out, it is possible to walk the whole distance on the sand. You can see where a large area of the sea wall has been rebuilt after the damage of the storms in 1989.
It must be said, however, that the sea along here is also subject to strong rip currents and swimming is discouraged.

There are two marvelous walks from Porthleven harbour. One is to go left at the Institute clock tower and out to Loe Bar, then along the side of Loe Pool; even as far as Helston if you have the time.
Loe Bar is a mass of sand and shingle that separates the freshwater lake from the sea and if you care to look, you may find some gem stones here.

The second walk starts on the other side of the harbour and goes out along the cliffs to the Megiliggar Rocks. Take care to stay on the coastal path because there has been considerable erosion in recent years due to storms and it is very dangerous to stray too close to the edge. The area around Tremearne Par is one of geological and scientific interest and nearer to Porthleven is an extensive wave-cut platform of dark slate. When the tide is out at the Megiliggar Rocks lots of interesting rock pools are exposed.

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