Beaches in Cornwall

Last updated: 13/08/2010 Add to My Bookmarks

This page provides a list of the main beaches within Cornwall that are regularly used by beach users and have a lifeguard service provided by Cornwall council. Information includes surf and water safety, amenities, beach cleaning and dogs on beaches.

Cornwall council own some of the beaches mentioned whilst others are owned privately either by the National Trust or by private individuals.

Cornwall council contracts out its Beach Lifeguard Service to the RNLI. The main lifeguard season runs from May-September. However, this does vary from beach to beach. Please check the beach listings for details.  For advice on staying safe at the beach see our top ten tips for a safe summer by the sea from the RNLI. For further information on RNLI ifeguards visit   RNLI's Beach Lifeguard Service.

For a list of beaches that have dog access or dog bans, view the Visit Cornwall website that links you to a leaflet and map.

You can view the tide times for the next seven days on the UKHO tide times website.

For further information on Bathing Water Quality Results please visit the Environment Agency's water quality results page. More information on bathing water quality is available from the pollution control pages. Any queries relating to bathing water quality results please use the EA's Cornwall office contact email swcornwall@environment-agency.gov.uk.

We also have a page on any Bathing Water Quality Incidents that may occur on our beaches which we've developed as part of Bathing Water Quality Partnership between the Council, Environment Agency, South West Water and Surfers Against Sewage. 

Cornwall has 5 Blue Flag beaches for 2010. These are: Polzeath, Porthtowan, Gyllyngvase, Porthmeor and Sennan. For further information on Blue Flag please visit ENCAMS Blue Flag Award beaches.

If you are interested in using a water activity provider for activities such as surf lessons in the north Cornwall area then look for Council licensed operators.

You can use the links below for information on individual beaches.

Marazion ¦ Porthcurno ¦ Sennen ¦ Gwenver, Sennen ¦ Porthmeor, St Ives ¦ Porthminster ¦ Carbis Bay ¦ Porthkidney ¦ Hayle Towans, Hayle ¦ Mexico Towans, Hayle ¦ Beachview, Hayle ¦ Upton Towans, Hayle ¦ Peter's Point, Hayle ¦ Gwithian, Hayle ¦ Godrevy, Hayle ¦ Porthcothan ¦ Treyarnon ¦ Constantine ¦ Booby's Bay, Constantine ¦ Harlyn ¦ Trevone ¦ Polzeath ¦ Trebarwith Strand ¦ Crackington Haven ¦ Widemouth ¦ Summerleaze, Bude ¦ Crooklets, Bude ¦ Northcott ¦ Blackrock, Widemouth ¦ Sandymouth ¦ Portreath ¦ Polurrian Cove ¦ Poldhu Cove ¦ Church Cove, Gunwalloe ¦ Porthleven ¦ Praa Sands ¦ Kennack ¦ Gyllyngvase¦ Porthtowan ¦ Chapel Porth ¦ St Agnes ¦ Perranporth ¦ Perran Sands ¦ Holywell Bay ¦ Crantock ¦ Fistral ¦ Towan ¦ Great Western ¦ Porth ¦ Watergate Bay ¦ Mawgan Porth ¦ Whitsand Bay ¦ Seaton ¦ Downderry; Hannafore.

Beach users may also be interested in how we manage beaches, if so please visit our beach management page for further information.

For information on other beaches in Cornwall that are not mentioned here, as either they're privately owned or haven't a lifeguard service please view Visit Cornwall website.