Cornwall Beaches

Cornwall beaches offer some of the best beaches in the whole of the UK, if not the world. From the white sands and turquoise waters of the famous Porthcurno, to the surfer’s paradise in the seas of St Ives, Cornwall beaches will take your breath away.

Today we are going to share with you the 12 best Cornwall beaches for you to enjoy and explore when visiting this beautiful part of the country.

So sit back, relax, and imagine yourself eating a delicious Cornish pastie whilst you listen to lapping waves and feel the sand between your toes . . . But remember, watch out for those seagulls!

Porthcurno Beach, West Cornwall

First on our guide to the 12 best Cornwall beaches is the paradise otherwise known as ‘Porthcurno beach‘. With white sands and Caribbean-blue waters, you would be forgiven for believing that Porthcurno couldn’t possibly be part of the UK.

The beach is highly popular with swimmers, surfers and families. The high cliffs provide some shelter from the wind, and there are lifeguards on duty over the summer months. There are several coastal walks that start from the beach along the South West Coast Path, offering breathtaking views.

Perched above the beach on the cliff-top is the stunningly beautiful and historic open-air Minack Theatre. You will struggle to find a more dramatic setting for any theatre across the world.

Overall Porthcurno beach is a beautiful and picturesque location that is well worth a visit. We would highly recommend visiting at less busy times of year to enjoy it to its full as it can get very popular!

Godrevy Beach, North Cornwall

Godrevy beach is a must-see when visiting the area. With stunning views across the coast, and the famous “Godrevy lighthouse’ keeping an ever-watchful eye. The lighthouse was built in 1858, and still protects Cornwall’s ships and boats today. It is also famous for being featured in Virginia Woolf’s ‘To the Lighthouse’.

Relax on the stretch of golden sands where you can watch surfers having the time of their lives. Or further along the shore, you are able to walk amongst impressive rock formations and look for little creatures amongst the pools.

As the area is National Trust owned, there is a lovely National Trust cafe as well as an independent eatery, and surfing lessons and hire are available.

Godrevy beach is also a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts. From bird watching to whale watching, Godrevy has it all.

Further up the coastal path, you will come across a cove, known to locals as ‘seal cove’, where you will find hundreds of seals bathing on the shoreline and bobbing around in the waters. A truly special experience!

Porthmeor Beach, St Ives

There are a number of beautiful beaches in and around St Ives, however, our personal favourite is Porthmeor beach. Porthmeor is overlooked by numerous art studios, and the famous and inspiring Tate art gallery, where you will find it hard to find any gallery in the world with such an inspiring view.

Golden sands and dramatic waves make this a favourite spot for many experienced surfers, and is home to the famous St Ives Surf School.

The beach during summer months has lifeguard patrol for swimmers, and there are many facilities for food and drink nearby.

So why not lay on the sands, relax with some chips, and watch the surfers do their magic. A very cool place indeed!

Kynance Cove, The Lizard

Kynance Cove has been voted one of the best beaches in the world and is an absolute fairy tale location. Mossy coloured stacks rise from the pristine turquoise waters, with mysterious caves begging to be explored by children and adults alike.

The beach was popular with Lord Alfred Tennyson, who came and watched the mighty waves crashing into the impressive cliffsides.

Close to the shore, you will find calmer seas ideal for swimming, and you may see a seal or two joining you in the crystal clear waters.

There is a National Trust cafe, car park and toilets on site.

Please note however, due to its beauty Kynance Cove gets extremely busy, particularly over the summer holidays. We recommend visiting at off-peak times to really get the most from your experience and to ensure no queuing in and out the car park!

Polzeath Beach, North Cornwall

Polzeath Beach is a very popular beach amongst families and has excellent surfing conditions. Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, backed by sand dunes, Polzeath offers a wonderfully relaxing day.

Polzeath is considered one of the best surfing beaches in Cornwall, with consistent waves that are suitable for beginners and more experienced surfers. There are several surf schools located near the beach that offer lessons and equipment hire.

In addition to surfing, Polzeath offers a range of other activities, including swimming, rock pooling, kayaking, and coastal walks.

Overall, Polzeath Beach is a beautiful and lively destination that offers something for everyone, whether you’re a surfer, family, or just looking to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Marazion beach / St Michaels Mount

If you are looking for a beach with a truly stunning backdrop, then look no further than Marazion beach. Overlooked by the famous castle on the island, St Michaels Mount.

A tidal ‘secret’ pathway appears, then a few hours later disappears to the delight of children and adults . . . If you don’t reach it in time, you can get a lift across on the ‘sea buggy’.

Legend says St Michaels Mount was created many years ago by a giant, who then terrorised the village of Marazion, until a local boy called Jack defeated the great creature. Today the town is a haven of relaxation, with many lovely cafes, restaurants and art galleries.

For a truly amazing experience at Marazion, the local horse riding centre offers rides through the waters, with the castle as your magical backdrop.

With rock pools and wildlife aplenty, Marazion beach is a really wonderful place to see.

Fistral Beach, Newquay, North Cornwall

Fistral beach is a surfer’s heaven, situated in trendy Newquay. The Beach is a popular destination for surfers of all levels, and it is considered one of the best surfing beaches in the UK. The beach is exposed to the Atlantic Ocean, which means that it receives consistent swells and offers a variety of waves suitable for both beginners and experienced surfers. There are several surf schools and rental shops located near the beach that offer lessons and equipment hire.

Fistral Beach is also home to several events throughout the year, including surf competitions and music festivals. The beach has a lively and vibrant atmosphere, particularly during the summer months.

Overall, Fistral Beach is an exciting destination that offers a range of activities and experiences for visitors. Whether you’re a surfer, a family, or looking to relax and enjoy the scenery, Fistral Beach has something for everyone.

Lansallos Beach, South Cornwall

A big part of the charm of Lansallos beach is the journey down to this ‘hidden cove’, as well as the destination. There is a National Trust car park in the village from which you can then wander gently down to the beach.

Following the stream passing through bluebell woodland, with a carpet of garlic, bluebells, or perhaps even thousands of blackberries depending on the time of year, offers real feast for the senses.

Once you reach the cove, you will be treated by dramatic cliffs, golden sands, and clear waters, and if you go at particularly quiet times of the year, you may even find that you have the place to yourself!

However please bear in mind, this remote beach has no facilities, adding to its wild charm, so be sure to pack a picnic and drinks.

Gunwalloe Church Cove Beach

Gunwalloe Church Cove beach is a beautiful and secluded beach located on the Lizard Peninsula. It is a peaceful and tranquil spot that is perfect for those looking to escape the crowds and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

The beach is a mix of sand and shingle, and it is flanked by cliffs on either side. It is located in a small cove, which makes it sheltered and perfect for swimming. The beach is also a popular spot for rock pooling.

One of the unique features of Gunwalloe is the historic church that is located right next to the beach. St. Wynwallow’s Church is a 13th-century church that has been beautifully preserved and is open to visitors, offering stunning views.

Holywell Bay, North Cornwall

Holywell Bay is an absolutely stunning beach situated in the North coast of Cornwall. With its iconic craggy island in the sea, Hollywell is well known as ‘Poldark’s beach’ for fans of the TV series. With its long golden sands, turquoise waters and sand dunes aplenty.

The South West Coast Path, which runs along the entire length of the Cornish coast, passes through Holywell Bay and offers some of the most scenic stretches of the trail.

Overall, Holywell Bay is a beautiful and diverse destination that offers a wide range of activities for visitors. Whether you’re looking to surf, swim, hike, or simply enjoy the scenery, Holywell Bay is definitely worth a visit.

Carbis Bay, West Cornwall

Last but certainly not least is Carbis Bay beach, situated near the ever-popular St Ives. As you walk down the path, you are greeted by white sand and turquoise waters.

Swimmers, surfers and paddleboarders often find themselves joined by a seal or two. There is an onsite rental service offering kayaking, wetsuit hire, surfboards and even kayak sea safari’s!

The walk along the coastal path is one of the best in the world, taking around 20 minutes to St Ives. Please note however the car park is very small, busy and expensive, so we would recommend parking at the top of Carbis Bay and walking down to the beach.

A really truly stunning part of the world. Enjoy!

Some common questions when visiting Cornwall beaches:

What is the nicest beach in Cornwall?

The list above has not been written in any particular order. To pick one beach in Cornwall would be too hard a decision! Each has its unique values and is special for different reasons.

Many happy memories have been spent watching the surfers at St ives amongst crystal waters, but equally, when visiting East Cornwall, Lansallos has a magical quality that is hard to beat.

Once you visit Cornwall you will fall in love with the whole area, including its many beaches and coves.

If anything, it was hard to leave so many other beaches off the list. There really are so many!

Where is the bluest water in Cornwall?

This is a tricky question to answer as I have seen stunning blue waters all over Cornwall. The main places that stand out are Kynance Cove, St Ives, Porthcurno, Botallack, and Nanjizal with the amazing ‘blue lagoon’ waters in the ‘Song of the Sea Cave’.

However, the majority of blue waters I have seen have been in West Cornwall beaches, otherwise known as Penwith, but the whole area is amazing!

Does Cornwall have white sand?

Yes! Cornwall does have white sand! Possibly the whitest sand I have seen has been Porthcurno beach and Carbis Bay, however many of Cornwall’s beaches have wonderful white and golden sands and turquoise waters. Cornwall really is paradise 🙂