Article by Hayley Lawrence and Justyna Skowrońska
What if we told you that you didn’t have to fly thousands of miles to step on sugary white sands hemmed by turquoise seas and sub-tropical nature? Welcome to Kernowfornia – where British charm meets the Californian vibe and a stunning coastline is blessed with some of the world’s finest beaches. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or sun lizard, discover Cornwall’s best beaches to match your needs.
Frolic on sandy shores made for bucket-and-spade days, rock-pooling and playing in the waves. Whether you’ve got buggy-bound tots or energetic teens, lots of Cornwall’s best beaches are geared up for a stress-free beach experience for the whole family, with easy accessibility, beachside facilities, eateries and equipment hire.
Hop off the scenic St Ives Railway beside this Caribbean-esque beach backed by tropical palm trees. Paddle in calm, crystal-clear waters, bask on white sands, search for shipwrecks at low tide, or cast off on a sea-bound adventure from the watersports centre. Take the family aboard a stable Hawaiian outrigger canoe and you can spot all sorts of marine life through the underwater viewers, from silver pipefish to seals.
Facilities: Watersports centre, beach shop, seasonal lifeguards, cafés, toilets, lost child centre and first aid post.
Tips: A steep hill from the car park makes access with a buggy challenging. It’s better to arrive by train. Or it’s an easy one-mile stroll along the coast path from St Ives.
Location: TR26 2NW
There’s no need to pack anything but your beach towel for a day out at this calm, horseshoe bay just a pebble’s throw from Falmouth town centre. Fuel up in the cool beach bar and bakery, get all your beach gear from the shoreside shop, hire a SUP, hit the bouncy castle or ramble in the low-tide rock pools.
Facilities: SUP centre, seasonal lifeguards, café, shops nearby, disabled access, toilets and showers.
Tips: There’s a free beach toy exchange on the seafront walking towards Pendennis Castle.
Location: TR11 4PA
Break free from the crowds at this vast sandy runway just a hop, skip and jump from Newquay’s busy beaches. Take buckets and nets to find critters in the rockpools, discover the waterfall, explore cave-studded cliffs and hit the waves with King Surf. A mecca for families, dog walkers and surfers, when you’ve worked up an appetite there’s a huddle of shoreside eateries for picnic supplies or fancy seafood feasts.
Facilities: Beachside car park, stores, eateries, lifeguard service, toilets, showers and disabled access.
Tips: Be aware of the rip currents and the fast, incoming tide.
Location: TR8 4BA
Dive into an array of watersports on active days out at the beach. Whether you want to experience the thrill of surfing and coasteering, try kayaking and paddleboarding, or feel the wind in your sails, there are plenty of places where you can tap up the experts, learn the ropes and take the plunge into the saltwater lifestyle.
An easy ten-minute stroll along the seafront from Gyllyngvase, this calm sand and pebble cove is something of a water sports hub. Try sailing, SUP, kayaking or windsurfing under the tutelage of the experts at Elemental UK, or spectate from the beach with a legendary hedgehog ice cream from the Swanpool Beach Café.
Facilities: Car park, café, beach shop, disabled access, watersports centre and equipment hire.
Tips: Lovely coastal walk between Swanpool, Gyllngvase and Maenporth. No lifeguard cover.
Location: TR11 5BG
Castaway from this sandy, sheltered beach by sailing boat, stand-up paddleboard or kayak. Or ramp it up and buzz out of the harbour by powerboat. Whichever you prefer, the experienced crew at the watersports centre offer personalised tuition in small groups. And when you’ve worked up an appetite, you can fuel up at the trendy Sam’s on the Beach.
Facilities: Toilets, shop, watersports centre, restaurant and pub.
Tips: Take a two-mile walk from the beach through Du Maurier country to Gribbin Head.
Location: PL24 2TL
Hit the waves and drench yourself in the surfing lifestyle on the beach where many of Cornwall’s pro surfers cut their teeth. The UK’s unofficial surfing capital, Fistral is world-renowned for its consistent surf, and there are plenty of surf schools and outlets, whether you need step-by-step tuition, or simply want to hire the kit and paddle out.
Facilities: Surf Centre and equipment hire, toilets, cafés, restaurants, shops and seasonal lifeguard service.
Tips: Watch the pros at one of the surfing competitions held here throughout the year.
Location: TR7 1HY
Take the plunge in hidden coves and tidal pools, or dive into the Big Blue on sheltered beaches. Cornwall’s coastline is a wild swimmer’s paradise, whether you want a saltwater adventure or a tranquil dip in crystal clear waters.
As the tide ebbs seek out the natural pool carved into mussel-clad rocks beside Treyarnon Bay. The perfect North Coast location to take a dip without having to battle the surf, it’s big enough to do a few laps, before basking on the rocks like a seal to warm up.
Facilities: YHA and café, toilets, car park and seasonal lifeguard service.
Tips: At low tide explore the rock pools between the tidal pool and the beach.
Location: PL28 8JR
Just over a mile from Land’s End, it’s worth venturing to this wild and rocky little cove that has become quite an Insta sensation in recent years. While you might not get it to yourself these days, it’s worth the walk to dip in its impossibly turquoise waters that surge beneath a dramatic rock arch.
Facilities: None
Tips: Only dip in calm sea conditions and be aware of the incoming tide.
Location: TR19 7AA
Dive into the Holy Grail of wild swimming, where hardcore sea swimmers launch into Mounts Bay all year round. In the shelter of the bay, the conditions are usually quite calm, and it’s easy to access the water via steps around the back of Jubilee lido. Keep your head up and you can enjoy views to St Michael’s Mount, or front crawl full steam ahead and it’s about 1300 metres to Newlyn Harbour Wall. If you wimp out of a sea swim you can always take a dip in the Art Deco Jubilee lido.
Facilities: Car parking along the promenade.
Tips: After your swim, warm up in the geothermal pool at the Jubilee Pool.
Location: TR18 4EF
Embrace freedom and dare to bare all at some of Cornwall’s beautiful naturist beaches. Tucked away in the nooks and crannies of the coastline, these beaches promise a respectful environment for you to strip off and explore a new level of connection with nature.
While the main sand and shingle stretch of Downderry is a popular beach, slink down to its eastern end and you’ll find a naturally secluded haven only accessible at low tide or via a very steep cliff path. Once you’ve made the knee-wobbling descent enjoy the sensation of basking on the warm grey sands and brave a refreshing dip in the bay.
Facilities: Toilets, café, restaurants and car park near the main beach in the village.
Tips: Risk of being cut off at high tide.
Location: PL11 3LD
Skinny dip in calm, cobalt waters lapping a breathtaking, secluded cove. With at least a 10-minute walk to the nearest car park from the fine shingle that shelves into crystal waters, it’s little wonder that sea swimmers and naturists are attracted to this hidden spot hugged by Dodman Point.
Facilities: None
Tips: Pack a picnic and a book so you don’t have to leave in a hurry.
Location: PL26 6JS
Brave the cliff path down to the sugary white sands of this bewitching beach, and you’ll definitely want to strip off and splash in the iridescent-blue seas, or at least dip your toes in the turquoise lagoon. Surrounded by sky-scraping granite cliffs, there are plenty of crannies to bask naked in the sunshine; just make sure you get your clothes on and climb back up before the tide comes in.
Facilities: None
Tips: Check the tide times and pack light as both hands may be needed for climbing. You can also walk from Porthcurno at low tide.
Location: TR19 6LF
These are just a few of Cornwall’s best beaches, carefully selected for families, watersports enthusiasts, swimmers and naturists. But there are hundreds of beaches and coves waiting to be explored for whatever your interests and reasons for visiting. Many are just simply beautiful places to be. So get out there and discover your own collection of sand havens to add to this list of Cornwall’s best beaches.
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