Beach Safety
Conditions at the coast and beach can change rapidly and can be very dangerous for a number of reasons.
People want to feel safe when they are using the beach or on the coast. We provide a range of safety services on beaches in Cornwall and along the coastline.
There is always a need for those using the coastline to do safely and considerately.
Tides
If you are going to the beach always make sure you are aware of the tides. The sea can move quickly and if not careful you could get cut off by the tide. You can view tide times on the BBC website.
Beach Lifeguarding
The RNLI now patrol over 200 beaches around the UK and provide a beach lifeguarding service not only on Council owned beaches in Cornwall but also on a number of beaches in the County that are privately owned.
The main lifeguard season runs from May to September. However, this does vary from beach to beach. For more information on the lifeguard service on specific beaches please refer to the table below. For more detailed information on beach safety please view the Beach Safety Tips page.
Beach Safety Signs
Beach safety signs are used to inform beach users about hazards on the beach, prohibited activities, beach lifeguard services and other appropriate local information such as bathing water quality. Please always read and take note of any signs on the beach you are visiting.
Public Rescue Equipment
Public Rescue Equipment is positioned on many of the beaches in Cornwall and along some stretches of the coastline. This equipment includes life rings and torpedo tubes, attached to a length of rope and housed in units that provide information about dangers in the area. If you have concerns about a piece of public rescue equipment being damaged or missing, please report this to us using the details on this page.
Lifeguard service on specific beaches
| Beach Name | Easter 2019 Cover Provided | Start Date for Main Lifeguard Season 2019 | End Date for Main Lifeguard Season 2019 | October Cover Provided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booby's Bay | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Carbis Bay | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Chapel Porth | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Constantine Bay |
6th March to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May |
4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from 19th to the 27th Ocbober |
| Crackington Haven | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Crantock | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Crooklets | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Fistral (north) | 6th April | 6th April | 27th October | 27th October |
| Fistral (south) | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Freathy | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Great Western | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Gunwalloe | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Gwenver | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Godrevy | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Gwithian | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to the 27th October |
| Gwithian: Upton Towans | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Gwithan: Common Towans | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Gwithan: Mexico Towans | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Gwithian: Hayle Towans | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | No |
| Gyllyngvase | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Harlyn Bay | 6thh to the 22th April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Holywell Bay | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Kennack Sands | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Lusty Glaze | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Marazion | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Mawgan Porth | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Northcott Mouth | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Perranporth | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 5th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Perran Sands | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Perranuthnoe | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Poldu Cove | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Polurrian Cove | No | 6th July, weekends only | 1st September | No |
| Polzeath | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Porth | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Porthcothan | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Porthcurno | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Porth Kidney | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Porthleven | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Porthmeor | 6th April | 6th April | 27th October | 27th October |
| Porthminster | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Porthtowan | 6th March to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Portreath | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Praa Sands | 6th to the 22th April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Sandymouth | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Seaton | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Sennen | 6th April | 6th April | 27th October | 27th October |
| Sharrow | No | 4th May | 29th September | No |
| St Agnes | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Summerleaze | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Tolcarne | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Towan | 6th to the 22th April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Trebarwith | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Tregantle | No | 4th May (Subject to firing range use) | 29th September | No |
| Tregonhawke | No | 4th May | 29th September | No |
| Trevone | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Treyarnon | No | 4th May | 29th September | No |
| Watergate Bay | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Widemouth Bay | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Widemouth Bay (Black Rock) | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
Conditions at the coast and beach can change rapidly and can be very dangerous for a number of reasons.
People want to feel safe when they are using the beach or on the coast. We provide a range of safety services on beaches in Cornwall and along the coastline.
Continue readingThere is always a need for those using the coastline to do safely and considerately.
If you are going to the beach always make sure you are aware of the tides. The sea can move quickly and if not careful you could get cut off by the tide. You can view tide times on the BBC website.
The RNLI now patrol over 200 beaches around the UK and provide a beach lifeguarding service not only on Council owned beaches in Cornwall but also on a number of beaches in the County that are privately owned.
The main lifeguard season runs from May to September. However, this does vary from beach to beach. For more information on the lifeguard service on specific beaches please refer to the table below. For more detailed information on beach safety please view the Beach Safety Tips page.
Beach safety signs are used to inform beach users about hazards on the beach, prohibited activities, beach lifeguard services and other appropriate local information such as bathing water quality. Please always read and take note of any signs on the beach you are visiting.
Public Rescue Equipment is positioned on many of the beaches in Cornwall and along some stretches of the coastline. This equipment includes life rings and torpedo tubes, attached to a length of rope and housed in units that provide information about dangers in the area. If you have concerns about a piece of public rescue equipment being damaged or missing, please report this to us using the details on this page.
| Beach Name | Easter 2019 Cover Provided | Start Date for Main Lifeguard Season 2019 | End Date for Main Lifeguard Season 2019 | October Cover Provided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booby's Bay | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Carbis Bay | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Chapel Porth | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Constantine Bay |
6th March to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May |
4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from 19th to the 27th Ocbober |
| Crackington Haven | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Crantock | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Crooklets | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Fistral (north) | 6th April | 6th April | 27th October | 27th October |
| Fistral (south) | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Freathy | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Great Western | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Gunwalloe | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Gwenver | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Godrevy | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Gwithian | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to the 27th October |
| Gwithian: Upton Towans | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Gwithan: Common Towans | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Gwithan: Mexico Towans | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Gwithian: Hayle Towans | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | No |
| Gyllyngvase | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Harlyn Bay | 6thh to the 22th April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Holywell Bay | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Kennack Sands | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Lusty Glaze | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Marazion | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Mawgan Porth | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Northcott Mouth | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Perranporth | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 5th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Perran Sands | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Perranuthnoe | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Poldu Cove | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Polurrian Cove | No | 6th July, weekends only | 1st September | No |
| Polzeath | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Porth | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Porthcothan | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Porthcurno | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Porth Kidney | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Porthleven | No | 6th July | 3rd September | No |
| Porthmeor | 6th April | 6th April | 27th October | 27th October |
| Porthminster | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Porthtowan | 6th March to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Portreath | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Praa Sands | 6th to the 22th April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Sandymouth | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Seaton | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Sennen | 6th April | 6th April | 27th October | 27th October |
| Sharrow | No | 4th May | 29th September | No |
| St Agnes | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Summerleaze | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Tolcarne | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Towan | 6th to the 22th April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Trebarwith | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Tregantle | No | 4th May (Subject to firing range use) | 29th September | No |
| Tregonhawke | No | 4th May | 29th September | No |
| Trevone | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |
| Treyarnon | No | 4th May | 29th September | No |
| Watergate Bay | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Widemouth Bay | 6th to the 22nd April and weekends until the 4th May | 4th May | 29th September | Weekends and from the 19th to 27th October |
| Widemouth Bay (Black Rock) | No | 18th May | 29th September | No |