Our guide to the county's sandy stretches
The glorious beaches and coastal beauty is one of many reasons why Cornwall is such a magical place to live and to visit. We wanted to share our local expertise and our passion for the Cornish coastline, so we compiled this guide to help you find the best surf, sand and sea that Cornwall has to offer, all within a fair distance of our beachside properties.
1. Summerleaze Beach
Just a few minutes’ walk from Bude town centre, Summerleaze Beach is very easy to access and a great spot for a family day out. Don’t miss the tidal bathing pool, built into a natural rock pool, which has attracted swimmers since it was opened in 1930.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: Very good
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Dogs must be kept on leads 1st July – 31st August
Lifeguard: Yes – seasonal
Patrol times: 10am – 6pm
Toilets: Yes
Beach café: Yes – Life’s A Beach
Disabled access: Yes
Parking: Yes
Nearest property: The Retreat
2. Trebarwith Strand
Located at the mouth of a picturesque valley is the pretty village of Treknow, fronted by Trebarwith Beach. The beach is a popular surf spot, but is also backed by magnificent rocky cliffs with caves for exploring. The sandy beach becomes completely covered at high tide and is accessed over rocks when approached.
Type of Beach: Sand and rock
Surf: Very good
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Yes – all year around
Lifeguard: Yes – seasonal
Patrol times: 10am – 6pm
Toilets: Yes
Beach café: Yes – The Strand Café
Disabled access: No
Parking: Yes
Nearest Beach House: The Yellow Cottage
3. Polzeath Beach
This sandy beach is about half a mile wide at low tide. Due to its position, this spot takes the full front of the Atlantic swell and has become a haven for surfers. However, be aware that it's a very popular spot and gets extremely busy in the summer season.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: Excellent
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban 15th May - 30th September
Lifeguard: Yes – seasonal
Patrol times: 10am – 6pm
Toilets: Yes
Beach café: Yes – Surfside
Disabled access: Yes
Parking: Yes
Nearest property: Penmorcom
Summerleaze (David Green via Flickr), Polzeath and Trebarwith Strand
4. Harlyn Bay
A wide sandy beach with plenty of interesting rock pools backed by dunes. Known to be one of the best family beaches in Cornwall, the crescent shaped bay is very safe for swimming and the small breaks are ideal for young learner surfers.
Type of beach: Sand and pebbles
Surf: Good for learners
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Dogs allowed year-round
Lifeguard: Yes – seasonal
Patrol times: 10am – 6pm
Toilets: Yes
Beach café: No
Disabled access: Yes
Parking: Yes
Nearest property: Trelawn
5. Constantine Bay
The beach is known for an offshore reef that can produce excellent swells for surfing. However, the hidden rocks and strong currents mean it's only for experienced surfers. For the non-adrenaline seekers, the beach has plenty of rock pools to explore and gorgeous sands to enjoy.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: Very good
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Dogs allowed year-round
Lifeguard: Yes
Toilets: Yes
Café: No
Disabled access: Yes
Parking: Limited
Nearest property: Tregully
6. Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps
This spectacular beach has been popular since the Victorian times and while it's undoubtedly a beautiful spot, it's only for the fit and agile as access is difficult. It's advised to be vigilant with young children around the sheer cliff edges and be aware of the strong sea currents.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: No
Water quality: Unknown
Dog-friendly: Yes
Lifeguard: No
Toilets: Yes, but a steep climb back to the car park
Café: Yes – The National Trust Tea Room, but a steep climb back to the car park
Disabled access: No
Parking: Yes
Nearest property: Trevenek
Harlyn Bay, Carnewas and Constantine Bay
7. Mawgan Porth Beach
Mawgan Porth is a sheltered sandy beach with plenty of space at low tide. It's surrounded by rugged Cornish cliffs and the rocky surroundings give rise to rock pools and caves for exploring. It's far enough from Newquay to avoid the summer crowds, but with the same beautiful sands and epic surf.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: Excellent
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Dogs allowed year-round
Lifeguard: Yes – seasonal
Patrol times: 10am – 6pm
Toilets: Yes
Beach café: Yes – The Blue Fish Bar
Disabled access: Yes
Parking: Yes
Nearest property: Trevenek
8. Lusty Glaze Beach
Lusty Glaze won ‘beach of the year 2017’ by The Times and Sunday Times. Famous for hosting concerts, it also secured the top spot in The Times for ‘most picturesque music venue’. With the hustle bustle of Newquay just behind you, you can’t beat this beach when it comes to atmosphere.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: Average
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban
Lifeguard: Yes – seasonal
Patrol times: 10am – 6pm
Toilets: Yes
Café: Yes
Disabled access: No
Parking: Yes. It quickly becomes full however, so consider other means of reaching the beach.
Nearest property: Sea House
9. Fistral Beach
A world-famous beach used for major surfing competitions such as Boardmasters, Quicksilver Skins, UK Pro Surf Tour and the BUSA Championships. It's undeniably a great spot for young inexperienced surfers and experts alike. Just past the cliffs and dunes is the bustling centre of Newquay, the epicentre of UK surfing.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: Excellent
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Dogs allowed year-round
Lifeguard: Yes – seasonal
Toilets: Yes
Café: Yes
Disabled access: Yes
Parking: Yes
Nearest property: Sea House
Fistral, Lusty Glaze and Mawgan Porth
10. Perranporth Beach
This impressive two-mile-long sandy stretch is often frequented by beginner surfers. Outside of the water, the unmissable landmark is the ‘Chapel Rock’ in the middle of the beach, which is home to a small tidal bathing pool for those who don’t fancy a dip in the sea.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: Very good
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban
Lifeguard: Yes
Toilets: Yes
Beach café: Yes – The Watering Hole beach bar
Disabled access: Yes
Parking: Paid parking is available
Naturists: Northern end of beach
Nearest property: Trewhella
11. Godrevy Beach
This spacious three miles of beautiful beach is a great spot for a family day out. As visitors approach the sands they can enjoy classic Cornish rocky landscapes and beautiful views of the famous Godrevy lighthouse. Godrevy beach is also a highly popular surfing spot with excellent breaks at low tide.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: Excellent. Good for all abilities.
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Dogs allowed year-round
Lifeguard: Yes – seasonal
Toilets: Yes
Café: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Parking: Yes
Nearest property: Shun Lee
12. Gwithian Towans Beach
At low tide, there's a vast amount of sand to enjoy and large areas of rock pools and caves. Inshore, the beach is backed by sand dunes tufted with wild grass. The strong winds mean this spot is a favourite of surfers, wind surfers and kite boarders alike.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: Very good
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban
Lifeguard: Yes – seasonal
Toilets: Yes
Café: Yes – Sunset Surf Café
Disabled access: No
Parking: Yes
Nearest property: Shun Lee
Perranporth, Godrevy and Gwithian
13. Porthmeor Beach
Just a few minutes’ walk from the St Ives shops, this beach is the perfect spot to enjoy a Cornish pasty and a picnic. The gorgeous sands and sheltered safety make this beach a popular location with surfers and swimmers alike, and ideal for families with young children.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: Good
Water Quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban 15th May and 30th September
Lifeguard: Yes – seasonal
Toilets: Yes
Beach café: Yes – Porthmeor Beach Café
Disabled access: Yes
Parking: Difficult. Better to park outside of St Ives and take public transport.
Nearest property: Shun Lee
14. Sennen Cove
Sennen Cove is a stunning mile of fine white sand located in Whitesands Bay, which certainly lives up to its name. The giant Atlantic breakers make this beach one of Cornwall’s top surfing hotspots. Visitors can also enjoy the bustling fishing port and the seafront cafés and pubs.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: Good for all standards
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban Easter to October
Lifeguard: Yes – seasonal
Toilets: Yes
Beach café: Yes – Little Bo Cafe
Disabled access: Yes
Parking: Yes
Nearest property: Gwel An Treth
15. Porthcurno Beach
Porthcurno is an award-winning beach located three miles east of Land`s End. The gorgeous soft white sand meant it was chosen by the BBC to be used as ‘Nampara Cove’ in the popular series ‘Poldark’. This oasis of Cornish beauty is sheltered on either side by steep dramatic cliffs.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: Average
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban Easter to October
Lifeguard: Yes – seasonal
Toilets: Yes
Beach café: Yes – The Porthcurno Beach Cafe
Disabled access: No
Parking: Yes
Nearest property: Gwel An Treth
Porthmeor, Porthcurno and Sennen Cove
16. Praa Sands Beach
Visitors will immediately be struck by the bright colour of the white sands and the dramatic backdrop of sand dunes and beautiful coastal paths that lie both east and west of the cove. However, be aware that the beach can get very busy when the breaks are good.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: Good
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban 1st July – 31st August
Lifeguard: Yes – seasonal
Toilets: Yes
Café: Yes – Sandbar Praa Sands
Disabled access: Yes
Parking: Yes
Nearest property: Bodillian
17. Kynance Cove
This National Trust beach is famous for its white sands, clear blue water and smooth serpentine rocks. It's therefore unsurprising that it is one of the most photographed, filmed and painted beaches in Cornwall. Because of its breath-taking beauty, it can unfortunately become very crowded in summer.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: No
Water quality: Unknown
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban 1st July to 31st August
Lifeguard: No
Toilets: Yes
Beach café: Yes – Kyance Cafe
Disabled access: No
Parking: National Trust carpark located on a toll road,a 10 minute walk from beach. If it's full, you can park in the nearby Lizard village.
Nearest property: Compass Point
18. Gyllyngvase Beach
A stone’s throw away from the centre of Falmouth, Gyllyngvase has lots of activities on offer, for example, don’t miss the paddleboard centre and the Queen Mary Gardens, which was opened to the public in 1912. Moreover, the beach is exceptionally clean, winning the Blue Flag Award for hygiene and cleanliness in 2017.
Type of beach: Sand
Surf: Average
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban
Lifeguard: Yes – seasonal
Toilets: Yes
Beach café: Yes – Gylly Beach Café
Disabled access: Yes – sand chairs are available for hire from the café in advance
Parking: Yes
Nearest property: Compass Point
Praa Sands (Richie Hession via Flickr), Kynance Cove and Gyllyngvase
19. Pendower Beach
A stream running down the middle separates this beach into two sections. The sandy east side of the beach is popular with families during the summer, while the west end of the beach is rocky and great for kids to explore. The beach is situated within a sheltered bay, making it a good spot for swimming.
Type of beach: Sand and rock
Surf: No
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Dogs allowed year-round
Lifeguard: No
Toilets: Yes
Café: No
Disabled access: Yes
Parking: Yes
Nearest property: Compass Point
20. Downderry
The long, expansive beach of Downderry occupies a sheltered spot adjacent to the village. Perfect for swimming, fishing and snorkelling, explore its biodiverse rockpools during low tide.
Type of beach: Sand and shingle
Surf: Better suited to advanced surfers. More suitable for swimming
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Dogs allowed year-round
Lifeguard: No
Toilets: Yes
Café: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes, at the western end via a slipway
Parking: Yes
Nearest property: Amar
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21. Tregantle Beach
A superb three-mile-long stretch of beach, which is brilliant for walking. The 19th century Tregantle Fort stands tall behind the beach, offering a dramatic backdrop to the beautiful sandy shoreline. If you choose to swim or surf, beware of occasionally strong rip currents.
Type of beach: Sand and rock
Surf: Average
Water quality: Excellent
Dog-friendly: Dogs allowed year-round
Lifeguard: Yes
Toilets: No
Café: No
Disabled Access: No
Parking: Yes
Nearest property: Sea Edge
Pendower and Tregantle
