Local Beaches
Watersports on the doorstep...
PORTWRINKLE
3.8 Miles
The little fishing village of Portwrinkle is tucked away in Cornwall's forgotten corner at the western edge of Whitsand Bay. Once the scene of a thriving pilchard industry the old fish cellars are now holiday cottages and the quaint little harbour is now a place of calm.
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There are two beaches immediately accessible from Portwrinkle; to the west of the harbour is the sandy crescent of Hoodny Cove and to the east the quirkily named Finnygook Beach. There is actually a reasonable patch of sand within the little harbour at Portwrinkle too.
Finnygook is the most popular of the two beaches and comprises of a stretch of fine golden sand which runs down to the mid tide mark. At this point there is a rocky ledge which runs most of the length of the beach. This is home to a host of rockpools which are great for the kids to explore. As the tide comes in it becomes a good spot to snorkel.
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Hoodny Cove is a little more sheltered than Finnygook, tucked away under high green cliffs. The beach here has the same sand and rocky foreshore as at Finygook, but a very different feel overall. This beach and harbour are ideal for swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding at high tide. Children can also jump off the pier at high tide.
TREGANTLE, FREATHY & TREGONHAWKE BEACH
7 - 9 Miles
All three beaches form part of a three mile stretch of sand from Polhawn Fort to Tregantle known as Whitsand Bay. They are considered by many to be East Cornwall’s finest beach.
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None of these beaches disappoint, they may be quite a hike to get to but you are rewarded with incredible views, golden sands and less crowded space as a result. The walk to Tregonhawke is particularly breathtaking.
Tregonhawke is home to Adventure Bay Surf School and the Whitsand Bay Surf Lifesaving School. Learning to surf here allows you to avoid the crowds on the North Coast. Adventure Bay also conduct coasteering outings which are fabulous fun for the adventurous. The Cliff Top Café awaits you at the top for a well deserved refreshing drink on your return.
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Freathy is one of the more popular sections of Whitsand Bay. Freathy beach is a large expanse of sand at low tide but becomes split into a series of smaller rocky coves when the tide comes in. Access is via a local winding path with incredible views again. You may also find yourself an oyster or two if you are lucky.
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Tregantle is also known as Long Sands and is where the locals go to surf. It’s another of Cornwall’s hidden gems where you will get the space you don’t get on the North Coast. The golden expance of sand is overlooked by Tregantle Fort and is used by the MOD for live fire training. The beach will be closed at these times.
RNLI Lifeguards are on duty at all three beaches from early May to the end of September.
Weekends and bank holidays only from 3 May until 5 July and daily 5 from July -7 September
SEATON BEACH
2 Miles
This is a lovely family beach with a choice of places to eat, parking and toilets. It has everything you need for a memorable day out with a large beach of sand and small pebbles located at the entrance to the Seaton Valley Country Park, home to wildlife such as otters, kingfishers, dormice and fritillary butterflies and easily accessible on a level track.
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The beach is very popular with dog owners, shore fisherman and even has waves enough for surfing with the right conditions. For the younger ones, they can enjoy paddling and splashing about in the river that runs across the beach. There is also a playground behind the beach.
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The shoreline walk between Seaton and Downderry is popular with dog walkers as dogs are allowed all year round. The Inn on the Shore sits atop the beach at Downderry with spectacular views. It is an ideal spot for lunch after a healthy walk.
LOOE BEACH
6 Miles
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The beach in East Looe sits directly in front of the old town, sheltered from the west by the famous Banjo Pier and overlooked from the east by the hillside of Mount Ararat. Whatever reservations you may have about the town itself, East Looe beach is a good family beach that has something for everyone.
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Being situated so close to Looe town centre has its good and bad points. There are plenty of facilities, including toilets and cafes, practically on the beach. The major drawback is that Looe is a very popular resort town and in the summer the beach is incredibly busy. Also access is generally by foot as traffic is prohibited from the town centre in the summer and the nearest parking (if you can find any) is a considerable walk.
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On the other side of the Banjo Pier is the Looe River and the harbour. Whilst some will be happy to cast off the pier or riverside there are no shortage of excursions and angling trips. In fact Looe is the headquarters of the Shark Fishing Club of Great Britain for those looking for something a little more adventurous.
MILLEANDREATH BEACH
6.3 Miles
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Close to the resort town of Looe is Millendreath Beach. A south facing beach Millendreath lies at the foot of a wooded valley in a sheltered cove that during low tide has pleasant soft sands and numerous rock pools to explore. However, at high tide the beach mostly disappears.
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It is easy to access neighbouring beaches including Plaidy Beach using the South West Coast Path.
Millendreath is home to what was once a popular holiday village. Open from the 1950s through to the 1990s the resort became outdated and fell into decline. Work is now nearing completion on a regeneration project which has seen a thorough modernisation of the complex and rebranding as the Black Rock beach resort.
LANSALLOS BEACH
13 Miles
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Lansallos Beach (also known as West Coombe) is a quiet, attractive, south facing cove of sand and rocks just a few miles west of Polperro. There is a small waterfall on the western side of the beach known as Reed Water which used to power a small mill. It is an ideal spot for swimming with crystal clear waters and interesting rocky outcrops.
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Access - There is a National Trust car park in Lansallos village (free to members) with footpath access to the beach from beside the church. It's around a 20 minute walk down a delightful track, beside the stream, with activity points for children. Other paths lead from the National Trust campsite at Highertown Farm, across the fields and down the coombe.
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Lansallos is owned and looked after by the National Trust and is able to care and conserve areas like this thanks to their members, volunteers and donors.
LANTIC BAY
15 Miles
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The term "hidden gem" is often used to describe some of the more remote beaches in Cornwall, but if there is any one beach that deserves this title it would be Lantic Bay. Located on the quiet, but stunning stretch of coast between Fowey and Polperro this is not the kind of place you simply stumble upon. However, once found you will be rewarded by a vista of near white sand and turquoise water all set in a bay backed by high, verdant cliffs.
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The beach here is mostly sand, although there are patches of pebble and shingle depending on how far up or down the beach you go. With a shoreline that shelves quite steeply Lantic Bay is an ideal place to visit by boat, and a large proportion of visitors do. This also makes it good for swimming, but care must be taken as there can be strong rip currents at certain states of tide. Being as secluded as the beach is there are no lifeguards.
POLKERRIS BEACH
27 Miles
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A sheltered harbour beach in the small village of Polkerris, overlooking St Austell Bay, with a stone quay providing shelter. Located about 2 miles west of Fowey, 6 miles from St.Austell 20 miles from Looe. This sandy beach is ideal for families, with facilities, including a slipway, right by the beach, watersport equipment for hire and water sports tuition available.
Facing south west, the beach is perfect for late afternoons and glorious sunsets throughout the year. The beach has a pub, seafood restaurant and take away cafe and therefore offers a range of food and drink option. Access - short 5 min. walk down to the beach from car park (free after 6pm).
READYMONEY COVE
27 Miles
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Readymoney Cove is a south-east facing sandy beach to the south of the harbour town of Fowey. It is sheltered by cliffs close to the mouth of the River Fowey and bounded, on one side, by the medieval town of Fowey and, on the other, by St Catherine's Castle.
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The beach is cleaned daily during high season, and a bathing platform is moored in the bay. A small cafe/shop is open during the summer.
Further afield...
but worth the journey!
Portscatho Beach, Roseland (49 miles)
Home to the Hidden Hut which alone makes the trip worthwhile, Portscatho is a small, east-facing cove in the south-west corner of Gerrans Bay, on the Roseland peninsula. Rocky, with some sand at low tide, the beach is a short walk from the village, where there is a car park, cafes, pubs and shops. It is perfect for swimming and paddleboarding.
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Pendower Beach, Roseland (47 miles)
Pendower is a south facing sandy beach about a mile long and popular with families with excellent views along the coastline. The beach joins with Carne Beach to the east at low tide. Backing the beach there are low soft cliffs and rock pools which have been designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's).
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Many activities to enjoy here, including: swimming, scuba diving, surfing, sea canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, fishing and snorkeling. Dog friendly all year, please keep dogs under close control and on leads during the summer months.
Pendower, is owned and looked after by the National Trust and is able to care and conserve areas like this thanks to their members, volunteers and donors.
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Car park free to National Trust members. No overnight camping. Slipway and toilets.
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North Coast Beaches
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Harlyn Bay (42 miles)
Harlyn is known for being a great family beach. Located in the lee of Trevose head and with a northerly aspect it is slightly more sheltered than some of its west facing neighbours.
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The wide crescent of yellow sand provides plenty of space and the waters here are generally safe for swimming during summer months, when there is lifeguard cover. There's lots to keep kids occupied too with rock pools, sand dunes and a small stream.
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Daymer Bay (35 miles)
Good sized stretch of sand bordered by dunes and sandhills. It is comparatively off the beaten track compared to its neighbours, Rock and Polzeath which gives it a slightly more secluded feel.
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The beach is within the mouth of the Camel Estuary so is pretty sheltered and has a gently sloping beach making it safe for swimming.
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Polzeath (35 miles)
The popularity of Polzeath has grown over recent years. This results from the combination of a beautiful sandy beach, laid back beach town feel and ideal conditions for learning to surf. The beach itself is enormous at low tide, extending around half a mile in all directions. At high tide however the beach shrinks to just a small patch of sand in front of the village.
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Polzeath is one of the safest beaches along this stretch of coast with its gently shelving sand and seasonal lifeguard cover. Along with all the facilities and water quality you would expect from a Blue Flag beach Polzeath is a great family beach. Another great feature is the parking on the beach - yes, actually on the beach!