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Best Beaches in Cornwall 2026: 49 Beaches by Area
Cornwall has more than 300 beaches, from wide surf beaches on the Atlantic coast to tiny turquoise coves you can only reach on foot. This is our local guide to the best of them: the ten beaches we would visit first, and then 49 beaches in the Hello Cornwall guide, area by area, each with its own page covering parking, facilities, tides and what is nearby.
Our top picks
The 10 best beaches in Cornwall
Kynance Cove
The Lizard. Turquoise water, white sand and serpentine rock stacks on the Lizard make Kynance the most photographed cove in Cornwall. It is a National Trust beach reached by a steep path from the clifftop car park, and it is at its best around low tide when the sand links the islands.
Full guide to Kynance Cove →
Porthcurno Beach
Penzance. Soft, pale shell sand and bright blue water directly below the Minack Theatre. The beach shelves steeply and currents can be strong, so swim when the lifeguards are on duty in summer.
Full guide to Porthcurno Beach →
Pedn Vounder
Penzance. A tidal sandbar a short walk along the coast path from Porthcurno, with views to Logan Rock. The climb down is steep and there are no facilities, and the beach all but disappears at high tide, so plan around the tides.
Full guide to Pedn Vounder →
Fistral Beach
Newquay. The home of British surfing, just west of Newquay town centre. Big Atlantic swell, a long sandy beach, lifeguards in season, surf schools and plenty of places to eat overlooking the waves.
Full guide to Fistral Beach →
Crantock Beach
Crantock, near Newquay. A big, wild-feeling beach backed by dunes, with the Gannel estuary on one side and West Pentire headland on the other. It is lifeguarded in summer, great for surfing and long walks, and quieter than the town beaches.
Full guide to Crantock Beach →
Bedruthan Steps
Padstow. Huge rock stacks scattered along the sand, best seen from the National Trust clifftop path at Carnewas. Access to the beach itself depends on the cliff steps being open, so check before you go and watch the tide.
Full guide to Bedruthan Steps →
Porthminster Beach
St Ives. A sheltered crescent of golden sand right next to St Ives station, with calm water, lifeguards in summer and a well-known beach café. Lovely for families and for an evening swim.
Full guide to Porthminster Beach →
Sennen Cove
Penzance. A long sandy beach a mile from Land’s End, with clear water, reliable surf and a busy lifeboat station. Walk the coast path to Land’s End for some of the best views in Cornwall.
Full guide to Sennen Cove →
Gyllyngvase Beach
Falmouth. Falmouth’s main town beach: sandy, sheltered and popular with sea swimmers and paddleboarders, with a café on the sand and an easy walk into town.
Full guide to Gyllyngvase Beach →
Polzeath Beach
Padstow. A wide, gently sloping surf beach on the Camel Estuary that is a favourite for learning to surf, with rock pools at either end and Daymer Bay and Rock just around the corner.
Full guide to Polzeath Beach →
Beaches by area
Best beaches on the north coast: Bude to Newquay
From the long surf beaches around Bude to the coves of Padstow Bay and the big Newquay beaches (including Watergate Bay, two miles of sand just north of town), the north coast is where you will find Cornwall’s best surf and dramatic Atlantic scenery.
Summerleaze Beach
Summerleaze Beach in Bude: golden sand, Bude Sea Pool, surf hire, cafés, lifeguards and parking next to the beach.
Beach guide →
Sandymouth
Sandymouth near Bude: a wild National Trust beach with sand at low tide, rock formations, a waterfall, surf, café and parking.
Beach guide →
Widemouth Bay
Widemouth Bay near Bude: a wide sandy surf beach with surf schools, rock pools, lifeguards, cafés and parking.
Beach guide →
Trebarwith Strand
Trebarwith Strand near Tintagel: a dramatic low-tide beach with surf, Gull Rock and the Port William pub. Tide and parking tips.
Beach guide →
Port Gaverne
Port Gaverne near Port Isaac: a sheltered cove with historic pilchard cellars, kayaking, rock pools and coast path walks.
Beach guide →
Polzeath Beach
Polzeath beach in north Cornwall: gentle surf for beginners, rock pools, walks to Pentire Head and the Rumps, and parking tips.
Beach guide →
Daymer Bay
Daymer Bay near Rock: a calm sandy beach on the Camel estuary with St Enodoc Church, Brea Hill and views to Padstow. Parking and tips.
Beach guide →
Trevone Bay
Trevone Bay near Padstow: a sandy family beach with a tidal pool and the Round Hole collapsed sea cave. Parking and tips.
Beach guide →
Constantine Bay
Constantine Bay near Padstow: wide golden sand, dunes, surf, rock pools and walks to Trevose Head. Safety and parking tips.
Beach guide →
Treyarnon Bay
Treyarnon Bay near Padstow: a sandy surf beach with a natural tidal rock pool for swimming, lifeguards, parking and coast path walks.
Beach guide →
Bedruthan Steps
Bedruthan Steps at Carnewas between Newquay and Padstow: giant rock stacks, clifftop views, the National Trust café and safety tips.
Beach guide →
Mawgan Porth
Mawgan Porth beach between Newquay and Padstow: surf, rock pools, caves, coast path to Bedruthan Steps, parking and tips.
Beach guide →
Porth Beach
Porth Beach in Newquay: a sheltered family beach with rock pools, cafés and the Iron Age headland of Porth Island. Parking and tips.
Beach guide →
Lusty Glaze
Lusty Glaze in Newquay: a sheltered private cove with a beach restaurant, adventure activities, events and access tips.
Beach guide →
Fistral Beach
Fistral Beach in Newquay: Cornwall’s best-known surf beach, with lifeguards, surf schools, cafés and parking tips.
Beach guide →
Crantock Beach
Crantock Beach near Newquay: wide sand, big dunes, surf, the Gannel estuary crossing and National Trust parking. Safety tips included.
Beach guide →
Holywell Bay
Holywell Bay near Newquay: sand dunes, the Gull Rocks, the holy well cave and Poldark filming spot. Tips on parking and tides.
Beach guide →
Beaches by area
Best beaches around Perranporth, St Agnes and St Ives Bay
Three miles of sand at Perranporth, old mining coves around St Agnes and the golden beaches of St Ives Bay, with Godrevy Lighthouse on the horizon.
Perranporth Beach
Perranporth beach: three miles of sand, Chapel Rock tidal pool, surfing and The Watering Hole beach bar. Tips for your visit.
Beach guide →
Trevaunance Cove
Trevaunance Cove in St Agnes: a sandy low-tide beach with surf, rock pools, the Driftwood Spars pub and coast path walks.
Beach guide →
Chapel Porth
Chapel Porth near St Agnes: a National Trust cove below Wheal Coates engine house, with sand at low tide, surf, a famous café and tide tips.
Beach guide →
Porthtowan Beach
Porthtowan beach: a lively surf beach between St Agnes and Portreath, with rock pools, a beach bar, cafés, lifeguards and parking.
Beach guide →
Portreath Beach
Portreath beach and harbour: a sandy family beach, mining heritage and the start of the Coast to Coast trail. Parking and tips.
Beach guide →
Gwithian Towans
Gwithian Towans beach near Hayle: miles of golden sand, surf schools, dune walks and views of Godrevy Lighthouse. Parking and tips.
Beach guide →
Godrevy
Godrevy beach near Hayle: views of Godrevy Lighthouse, seals at Mutton Cove, surf, National Trust parking, café and clifftop walks.
Beach guide →
Carbis Bay
Carbis Bay beach near St Ives: sheltered sand and turquoise water, the St Ives Bay Line train, coast path walks and parking tips.
Beach guide →
Porthminster Beach
Porthminster Beach in St Ives: sheltered golden sand, calm water for families, beach café, coast path to Carbis Bay and train tips.
Beach guide →
Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor Beach in St Ives: surf lessons, golden sand below Tate St Ives, beach café, lifeguards, dog rules and parking tips.
Beach guide →
Porthgwidden Beach
Porthgwidden Beach in St Ives: a small, sheltered sandy cove by the Island, with calm water for children and a beach café.
Beach guide →
Beaches by area
Best beaches around Land’s End and West Penwith
The far west: white sand, turquoise water and granite cliffs around Land’s End, plus the causeway beach facing St Michael’s Mount.
Sennen Cove
Sennen Cove beach near Land’s End: surf, clear water, the harbour and lifeboat station, parking tips and the coast path walk to Land’s End.
Beach guide →
Porthcurno Beach
Porthcurno beach near Land’s End: white shell sand, turquoise water, the Minack Theatre and PK Porthcurno. Tips on parking and swimming.
Beach guide →
Pedn Vounder
Pedn Vounder near Porthcurno: white sand and turquoise water at low tide, reached by a steep path. Tide, parking and safety tips.
Beach guide →
Marazion Beach
Marazion beach: views and the low-tide causeway to St Michael’s Mount, watersports, Marazion Marsh and parking tips.
Beach guide →
Beaches by area
Best beaches on the Lizard and around Falmouth
Mainland Britain’s most southerly beaches, from the long sands of Praa to the serpentine coves of the Lizard and Falmouth’s sheltered town beaches.
Praa Sands
Praa Sands: a mile-long beach between Penzance and Helston with surf, dunes, a beach café and coast path walks. Parking and tips.
Beach guide →
Church Cove, Gunwalloe
Church Cove at Gunwalloe on the Lizard: a sandy cove with a medieval church in the dunes, Poldark filming spot, walks and tips.
Beach guide →
Poldhu Cove
Poldhu Cove near Mullion: a sandy family beach with café and lifeguards, below the site of Marconi’s 1901 transatlantic radio station.
Beach guide →
Mullion Cove
Mullion Cove on the Lizard: a historic National Trust harbour with views of Mullion Island, storm watching and coast path walks.
Beach guide →
Kynance Cove
Kynance Cove on the Lizard: turquoise water, serpentine rocks and white sand. Tips on tide times, parking and walks at this National Trust beach.
Beach guide →
Kennack Sands
Kennack Sands on the Lizard: two sandy beaches joined at low tide, rock pools, sheltered water and parking tips.
Beach guide →
Coverack
Coverack on the Lizard: a sheltered sandy beach and fishing harbour, watersports, coast path walks, pubs and parking tips.
Beach guide →
Maenporth
Maenporth beach near Falmouth: a sheltered sandy cove with calm, clear water, a beachside restaurant, parking and coast path walks.
Beach guide →
Swanpool Beach
Swanpool Beach in Falmouth: sheltered swimming, a nature reserve lagoon, kayaking, paddleboarding, coasteering and parking tips.
Beach guide →
Gyllyngvase Beach
Gyllyngvase (Gylly) Beach in Falmouth: sheltered sand, beach café, paddleboarding, lifeguards, parking and walks to Pendennis Castle.
Beach guide →
Beaches by area
Best beaches on the Roseland and around Fowey and Looe
Calmer water, sheltered coves and pretty harbours along the south coast, from the Roseland Peninsula to Fowey, Looe and Whitsand Bay.
Porthcurnick Beach
Porthcurnick Beach near Portscatho on the Roseland: a sheltered sandy cove, home of the Hidden Hut café. Parking and tips.
Beach guide →
Pendower and Carne Beach
Pendower and Carne beach on the Roseland: a long, quiet National Trust beach on Gerrans Bay with calm water, parking and walks.
Beach guide →
Polkerris
Polkerris near Fowey: a sandy, south-west-facing beach behind a harbour wall, with a beach restaurant, pub, watersports and sunsets.
Beach guide →
Readymoney Cove
Readymoney Cove in Fowey: a sheltered sandy beach below St Catherine’s Castle, with coast path walks and parking tips.
Beach guide →
Lantic Bay
Lantic Bay near Polruan and Fowey: a secluded National Trust beach with turquoise water, reached by a steep cliff path. Tips and safety.
Beach guide →
Looe Beach
East Looe beach: a sandy family beach by the Banjo Pier with views of Looe Island, boat trips, cafés and parking.
Beach guide →
Whitsand Bay
Whitsand Bay on Cornwall’s Rame peninsula: miles of quiet sandy beaches below steep cliffs, Rame Head, surf and safety tips.
Beach guide →
Find the right beach
Best Cornish beaches for…
Surfing
Families
Hidden coves
Rock pools and coastal walks
Heading out with the dog? See our guide to the best dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall. Staying in Newquay? Read 7 must-visit beaches in Newquay.
Before you go
Tips for visiting Cornwall’s beaches
Questions
Cornwall beaches FAQ
What is the best beach in Cornwall?
It depends what you want from the day. Kynance Cove and Porthcurno are usually named the most beautiful, Fistral and Watergate Bay are the best known for surfing, and Porthminster, Gyllyngvase and Summerleaze are among the easiest family beaches with cafés, toilets and lifeguards in summer.
Which Cornish beaches are best for families?
Look for sandy, sheltered beaches with lifeguards and facilities nearby: Porthminster in St Ives, Gyllyngvase in Falmouth, Summerleaze in Bude, Crantock and Polzeath on the north coast, Carbis Bay, and East Looe beach on the south coast.
Where is the best surfing in Cornwall?
Fistral Beach in Newquay is the most famous, with Watergate Bay, Polzeath, Widemouth Bay, Perranporth, Gwithian, Sennen Cove and Praa Sands also reliable. Beginners are best off with a lesson from a local surf school on a lifeguarded beach.
Are dogs allowed on Cornish beaches?
Many popular beaches have seasonal dog restrictions, usually running from Easter or May until the end of September, while others welcome dogs all year. Rules are posted at each beach and can change, so check the signs when you arrive. Our dog-friendly beaches guide has more ideas.
Are Cornish beaches lifeguarded?
The RNLI patrols many of Cornwall’s busier beaches, mainly from May to September, with a smaller number covered year round. Always swim or bodyboard between the red and yellow flags, and never use inflatables when the orange windsock is flying.
When is the best time to visit Cornwall’s beaches?
June and September are ideal: long days, warm weather and fewer people than the school holidays. The sea is at its warmest in late August and September. Out of season, the beaches are wonderful for walks, and many allow dogs again from October.
Keep exploring
More Cornwall guides
Browse every beach listing, or plan the rest of your trip with 52 things to do in Cornwall and our town guides to Bude, Padstow, Port Isaac, Falmouth and Fowey.
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Updated on November 6, 2026 by HelloCornwall
Local experts from Cornwall
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