The 10 Best Beaches in Cornwall (and When to Go)
Cornwall has more than 300 beaches, and the best one on any day depends on the tide, the wind and how early you get there. These ten are the ones we'd drive across the county for.
1. Kynance Cove, the Lizard
Turquoise water, white sand and dark serpentine rock stacks make Kynance the most photographed cove in Cornwall. It's cared for by the National Trust, which runs the clifftop car park and the café on the beach.
When to go: around low tide. At high tide most of the sand is covered and the islands are cut off. Check a tide table before you set off, because the walk down is steep and you don't want to arrive to find no beach.
Tip: In summer the car park can fill by mid-morning. Arrive before 9:30am, or walk in along the coast path from Lizard Point (about 1.5 miles).
2. Porthcurno
Fine, almost white shell sand and clear water near Land's End. The open-air Minack Theatre is cut into the cliff above the beach, so you can combine a swim with an evening show.
When to go: on calm days with an easterly or northerly breeze, when the bay is sheltered. The beach shelves steeply, so there can be a strong shore break.
3. Fistral Beach, Newquay
Cornwall's best-known surf beach, with consistent Atlantic swell and international competitions. There are surf schools, board hire and RNLI lifeguards in season, which makes it a good place for a first lesson.
When to go: any tide for surfing. Come in the early evening for the sunset, when the day crowd has gone home.
4. Holywell Bay
Big dunes, a stream running across the sand and two rock islands, Gull Rocks, just offshore. Holywell is a little quieter than Newquay's town beaches but only a short drive away.
5. Gwithian & Godrevy
Three miles of sand across St Ives Bay, ending at Godrevy Lighthouse, which is often said to have inspired Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse. Grey seals haul out in the coves just north of Godrevy Point. Watch from the clifftop and keep dogs on leads.
6. Porthminster, St Ives
The most sheltered of St Ives' beaches, a short walk from the train station. It's good for swimming, and its café is popular. See our St Ives day-trip plan for how to fit it into a day.
7. Watergate Bay
Two miles of flat sand between Newquay and Padstow, with kitesurfing, beach sports and plenty of space even in August. At low tide you can walk a long way along the beach.
8. Sennen Cove
The last beach before Land's End, with clear water, reliable surf, an RNLI station and a small harbour. The beach faces west, so the sunsets are excellent.
9. Crantock
A wide, dune-backed beach across the River Gannel from Newquay. In summer you can cross the river by small ferry or a footbridge at low tide. The Gannel has strong currents on a falling tide, so don't swim in the estuary.
10. Polzeath
A family-friendly surf beach on the north coast near Rock. It has gentle waves for beginners, rock pools at either end, and the coast path out to Pentire Point for afterwards.
Tides and beach safety
- Check the tide. Many coves vanish at high tide and you can get cut off. Use a tide table app or the UK Hydrographic Office's EasyTide.
- Swim between the red and yellow flags on lifeguarded beaches. Black-and-white chequered flags mark zones for surfboards and kayaks.
- Rip currents are common on surf beaches. If you're caught in one, don't swim against it. Float, raise your hand and shout for help.
- Emergency at the coast: call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
| Beach | Best for | Tide note |
|---|---|---|
| Kynance Cove | Scenery, swimming | Visit near low tide |
| Porthcurno | Swimming, Minack Theatre | Steep shore break |
| Fistral | Surfing | Surfable at all tides |
| Godrevy | Seals, long walks | Low tide links the beaches |
| Watergate Bay | Space, watersports | Huge at low tide |