The beaches in Cornwall have the well-established reputation of being the 'Best and the Most Beautiful in
the England' and, with the completion in the mid-1990s of the multi-million pound "Clean Sweep" scheme
for Mount's Bay, St. Ives and Hayle, Cornwall is now recognised as having probably the cleanest bathing
waters in Western Europe. There are award-winning beaches at Sennen Beach, near Land's End and at
Porthmeor and Porthminster in St. Ives. Porthmeor Beach at St. Ives is the only beach in Cornwall to scoop
the double of a Blue Flag Award and a Seaside Award.
Cornwall offers a variety of quality beaches and coves from busy family beaches and popular watersports
venues to, at the other extreme, tucked away and quiet suntraps beneath sturdy granite cliffs. Along 50 miles
of coastline all within easy reach from Penzance, there are the gorgeous golden sands of Marazion, Sennen,
St Ives, and Hayle as well as the smaller crescents in the coves like Porthcurno and Carbis Bay.
Both Widemouth Bay & Bude, (where surfing in the U.K. is believed to have begun,) has a wide expanse of
sandy beach and is a surfer's paradise due to the high rolling waves of the Atlantic. Children and family
groups are well catered for with plenty of room for beach games, and innumerable rock pools to explore.
The beaches, which are lifeguard patrolled in the season, all hold the coveted E.U. "Blue flag" seaside
award for cleanliness and the water quality is said to be amongst the best Europe.
All of Cornwall's popular beaches have excellent lifeguard cover during daytime in summer. The local
authority, Penwith District Council, has the biggest team of lifeguards in the country with years of
experience behind them in keeping the patrolled beaches safe for you and your children.
Dogs are not permitted on some of our beaches, and allowed on others - an arrangement to accommodate
everyone's needs.
Bude
Crooklets and Summerleaze beaches, acres of
golden sand when the tide is out with a
seawater pool on Summerleaze, an ideal
family beach and close to the shops and town
centre. Great surfing at Crooklets.
Widemouth Bay
A large sandy beach, spectacular cliff top
views nearby, surfing. An ideal spot in the
winter months to witness the power and
majesty of the Atlantic Ocean on a windy
day. The Bay View Inn is adjacent to the
beach.
Duck Pool
Atmospheric, flanked by steep cliffs and
wooded valleys, take your camera! (No
lifeguard cover, swimming not
recommended). This is a National Trust
beach.
Crackington Haven
A small sandy beach with rock pools,
high cliffs, lovely walks. The Coombe
Barton Inn is adjacent to the beach.
Northcott Mouth
Just North of Bude, a secluded spot, ideal for
seashore exploration, good surfing. This is a
National Trust beach.
Sandymouth Beach
A National Trust beach with spectacular
surfing, voted one of the best clean water
surfing beaches in the West Country by the
Readers Digest.
Watergate Bay
3 miles north of Newquay. One of Cornwall's more
spectacular rural beaches with 2 miles of golden
sand at low tide backed by 300 foot cliffs. There is
car parking right behind the beach, shop facilities,
food is available too. Watergate Bay is an excellent
destination for a brisk walk. It is about an hour's
walk along the Coastal Path north from Newquay.
Life guards on duty in Season.
Mousehole
At the entrance to the village there is a sandy
beach with safe bathing and there are sandy
areas in the harbour when the tide is low. On
the road to Newlyn there is a rocky beach at
Roskilly. Small quay car park.
Porthcurno
Beautiful sands situated underneath the cliffs
near the Minack Theatre. Very safe bathing
except on some occasions at high tide when
the steep shelving beach can cause problems.
Sunbather's paradise.
St. Ives Harbour
Very sheltered, with sandy areas in the
harbour. A perfect suntrap in the heart of the
town.
Crantock
This is a wide stretch of beach located on the
western side of the town and offers superb views
over the river Gannel estuary.
Sennen
A long, sandy beach, with small fishing harbour
and lifeboat station. First class surfing conditions
and safe bathing within the flagged areas. Pay
special attention to this area as the flags can be
changed and moved frequently due to tidal
movements.
Gwenver - Sennen
This sandy beach provides some of the most
spectacular surfing conditions in the county,
but only suitable for experienced Malibu
board riders. Bathers should take particular
care to keep within the flags, and if in doubt
seek the advice of the lifeguards. Young
children or weak swimmers should not be left
unattended in the water.
Fistral Beach Newquay
Newquay is indeed spoilt with several of the
best surfing beaches in Cornwall. Fistral
facing the Atlantic is very popular with
surfers of all abilities. Venue for International
Surfing Competitions. Several areas are kept
for swimmers alone. All Newquay's beaches
are popular with families.
The Harbour Newquay
A small pleasant beach and fishing harbour
visited by locals.
Trebarwith Strand
3 miles from Tintagel. The beach has Gull Rock as a backdrop, a huge expanse of
sand at low water and lots of rock pools for the kids to explore. Parking nearby, and
life guards on duty during the Season. Trebarwith bears witness to many spectacular
sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean, particularly on a high tide.
Holywell Bay
At low tide the cave on the North side of the beach is accessible, beware of times of
high water though to ensure that you don't get cut off ! Newquay.
The Gannel
A sandy river bed exposed at low tide is ideal for picnics but not suitable for
swimming due to strong currents.
Great Western
This beach can be reached by a steep slope leading off Cliff Road beside the Great
Western Hotel or to the right of the 'Island' at low tide, the beach is sheltered by the
high cliffs which provide shelter from the mid day sun in the summer season.
Tolcarne
This is a privately owned beach with beach huts which can be hired out. Reached by a
flight of steps leading down the cliff face from 'Narrowcliff' or by he winding slope at
the eastern end of the beach.
Lusty Gaze
A privately owned beach with facilities such as abseiling and lifeguard training
courses run from the beach. Accessed by walking along the sands from the town at
low tide.
Lantivet Bay
Three south facing sandy beaches hidden in a Bay mid way between Polperro and
Fowey, reachable by a stiff 2 mile walk from the nearest road, with lots of steps. The
Bay is popular as a mooring with yachts hopping along the Cornish Coast. South
facing beaches None are ever busy due to their inaccessibility.
Gorran Haven
Near St Austell a beautiful East facing beach sheltered by the Harbour walls. A wide
expanse of sand at low water. Popular as a launch for dive boats.
Prussia Cove
This old-world corner has a pebbly beach with safe bathing and seclusion.
Pisky Cove
A small isolated cove south-west of Prussia Cove. Good bathing, but at high tide the
beach becomes covered. There are large flat areas of rock suitable for sunbathing.
Perranuthnoe
A sandy beach backed by high cliffs. Safe bathing at most times, but keep clear of the
sand bank which can form in the centre of the beach. Ideal for children. Some parking
close to the beach.
Marazion
Sandy beach with causeway to St Michael’s Mount at low tide. Popular with families
and for water sports. Large car parks.
Penzance Through To Long Rock
Along from Eastern Green, there is a shingle beach turning to sand towards Marazion.
Windsurfing schools are open to the public. Car park at Long Rock beach.
Lamorna
Small harbour surrounded by boulder-clad foreshore. There is a small amount of sand
in the harbour and safe bathing within the harbour limits. Small harbour car park.
Penberth
A small National Trust owned fishing cove at the end of a very pretty valley. Very
limited car parking. Best viewed from the coastal footpath.
Pedn-Vounder
Isolated stretch of sand almost totally covered at high tide. Moderate safe bathing, but
take care of sandbank forming as the tide comes in. Difficult access.
Porthchaple
A small sandy beach, with little sand remaining at high tide. Bathing is safe on the
eastern side of the beach. Car park by the church a quarter of a mile away. Seals may
be seen.
Porthgwarra
Picturesque, with sand at the bottom of the slip, and access through a cave.
Nanjizel
Sand and boulders in this beautiful cove. Bathe with care.
Porthnanven - Cot Valley
A mixture of sand and boulders, pleasant spot for a picnic. Very limited parking.
Priests Cove - Cape Cornwall
Attractive fishing and relaxing scene. Children's swimming pool in the rocks. Limited
access to the sea, except on slipway. Car park
Boat Cove - Cape Cornwall
Picturesque fishing cove, with pleasant bathing for good swimmers. Limited parking.
Porth
Superb beach with easy access for everyone. Porth island is located on the eastern side
of the beach and is the site of an Iron Age settlement. At Trevelgue Head there is a
pitch and putt course.
Portherras - Pendeen
An attractive blend of sand and rock. Conditions often unsuitable for bathing. Beware
of sharp metal fragments from old wrecks in sand and water. Excellent cliff walks.
Porthmeor - St. Ives
Sandy, surfing and surf-bathing beach. Good surf conditions prevail frequently.
Surfboard area marked with orange buoys, generally safe bathing - check with
lifeguards. Restaurant and cafe facilities on the beach.
Porthgwidden - St. Ives
Small sandy cove and delightful sun-trap, with safe bathing, but keep inside the line of
buoys.
Porthminster - St. Ives
A half-mile of golden sands with calm sea conditions. Very safe for bathing, sheltered
from most winds. Scenic cliff walk to Carbis Bay.
Carbis Bay
A large, sandy beach, with very safe bathing and almost always calm conditions.
Lovely spot for children.
Porthkidney - Lelant
There is a vast expanse of sand, and a long walk to reach the beach. There are sand
dunes behind, and at low tide it is almost a mile to the water's edge. It is dangerous to
bathe in the river but very safe in the sea if you keep between the flags. Plenty of room
for everyone! Limited parking by Lelant church.
Towans - Hayle
On the Hayle estuary promontory there is a sandy cove, with sand flats on the
riverbank. Bathing is safe, as long as you can stay away from the river itself, which is
dangerous, and keep within the flags.
Mexico Towans - Hayle
On the north side of the Black Cliffs, with moderate surfing conditions and a sandy
beach. Excellent for bathing.
Beachside - Hayle
An open sandy beach with safe bathing. Occasional good surfing conditions, and ideal
for novices.
Upton Towans - Hayle
In the centre of the long, sandy beach, this is fairly well used, but has ample scope for
large numbers of people. Ideal for surfing and windsurfing and safe for bathing. It is
backed by sand dunes and holiday camps.
Peter's Point - Hayle
On the northern end of the three mile stretch of sand. There is difficult access but this
means it is often uncrowded and is a good alternative to the more popularly used
Gwithian and Hayle. Moderate surfing conditions.
Gwithian - Hayle
Situated at the end of the long, sandy beach at Hayle, it offers small coves and
stretches of open sand with safe bathing, and surfing conditions are generally
favorable. It is sheltered on one side from the north-east winds. Parking on dunes.
Godrevy - Hayle
A rocky beach adjacent to the island lighthouse, with marvelous surfing conditions. (Although
the Red River sometimes dis-colour's the water from tin waste, it has no harmful effect on
bathers.) The beach is perfectly safe if you listen to advice and keep away from the stretch of
water between the island and the mainland, because of the strong tides there. Large car park.