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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.

Beach Lifeguarding

The RNLI now patrol over 200 beaches around the UK and provide a beach lifeguarding service. This is 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.

Find my nearest Lifeguarded Beach

For more detailed information on beach safety please view the Beach Safety Tips below.

Lifeguard service on specific beaches

Beach Name Start Date End Date Late Season Cover
Beach View 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Black Rock 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Booby's 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Carbis Bay 19/07/25 07/09/25  
Chapel Porth 03/05/25 28/09/25 4 to 19 October weekends only and October half term
Constantine 03/05/25 28/09/25 4 to 19 October weekends, plus October half term week
Crackington Haven 19/07/25 07/09/25  
Crantock 03/05/25 28/09/25 4 to 19 October weekends, plus October half term week
Crooklets 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Fistral 05/04/25 02/11/25 Daily until October half term week
Freathy 19/07/25 07/09/25  
Godrevy 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Great Western 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Gunwalloe 19/07/2 07/09/25  
Gwenver 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Gwithian North 17/05/25 28/09/25 4 to 19 October weekends, plus October half term week
Gwithian South 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Gyllyngvase 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Harlyn 03/05/25 28/09/25 4 to 19 October weekends, plus October half term week
Hayle Towans 03/05/25 28/09/25  4 to 19October weekends, plus October half term week
Holywell Bay 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Kennack  17/05/25 28/09/25  
Lusty Glaze 19/07/25 07/09/25  
Marazion 19/07/25 07/09/25  
Mawgan Porth 03/05/25 28/09/25 4 to 19 October weekends, plus October half term week
Mexico Towans 19/07/25 07/09/25  
Northcott 19/07/25 07/09/25  
Perran Sands 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Perranporth 05/04/25 02/11/25 Daily until October half term week
Perranuthnoe 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Poldhu Cove 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Polurrian Cove (weekends only) 19/07/25 07/09/25  
Polzeath 03/05/25 28/09/25 4 to 19 October weekends, plus October half term week
Porth 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Porthcothan 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Porthcurno 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Porthkidney 19/07/245 07/09/25  
Porthlevan 19/07/25 07/09/25  
Porthmeor 05/04/25 02/11/25 Daily until October half term week
Porthminster 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Porthtowan 03/05/25 28/09/25 4 to 19 October weekends, plus October half term week
Portreath 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Praa Sands 03/05/25 28/09/25 4 to 19 October weekends, plus October half term week
Sandymouth 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Seaton 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Sennen 05/04/25 02/11/25 Daily until October half term week
Sharrow 17/05/25 28/09/25  
South Fistral 05/04/25 02/11/25  
St Agnes 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Summerleaze 03/05/25 28/09/25 4 to 19 October weekends, plus October half term week
Tolcarne 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Towan 03/05/25 28/09/25 4 to 19 October weekends, plus October half term week
Trebarwith 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Tregantle 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Tregonhawke 03/05/25 28/09/25 4 to 19 October weekends, plus October half term week
Trevone 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Treyarnon 03/05/25 28/09/25  
Upton Towans 17/05/25 28/09/25  
Watergate Bay 03/05/25 28/09/25 4 to 19 October weekends, plus October half term week
Widemouth 03/05/25 28/09/25 4 to 19 October weekends, plus October half term week

 

Coastal Safety

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.

View tide times

Sun Safety

Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday. You can burn in the UK, even when it's cloudy. 

There's no safe or healthy way to get a tan. A tan does not protect your skin from the sun's harmful effects.

Aim to strike a balance between protecting yourself from the sun and getting enough vitamin D from sunlight.

Sun Safety Tips

Spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest. In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October.

Make sure you:

  • spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm
  • make sure you never burn
  • cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses
  • take extra care with children
  • use at least factor 30 sunscreen

The British Skin Foundation details how to protect yourself and your family against the sun. Use them all to stay safe:

How to stay safe in the sun | British Skin Foundation

Beach Safety Signs

Beach safety signs are used to inform beach users about:

  • hazards on the beach
  • prohibited activities
  • beach lifeguard services
  • 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. These are 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 on 0300 1234 202 or by email to countryside@cormacltd.co.uk.