Beaches in Cornwall

Find beaches in Cornwall by using the search facility on the right.  Just type 'beach' into the keyword box, then choose the area of Cornwall you want to visit and hit search.

Quick search - show all beaches in Cornwall

Blue Flag is a prestigious, international award scheme which acts as a guarantee to tourists that a beach or marina they are visiting is one of the best in the world. For a list 2011 Blue Flag Award winning beaches in Cornwall click here.

Thanks to our unique position on the south west peninsula 80% of Cornwall is surrounded by water, giving us the longest stretch of coastline in the UK at 697km.

In fact, in Cornwall you are never more than 16 miles from the sea, which makes almost everyone in the county a bit of a fanatic when it comes to the water. And with over 300 beaches to choose from, who can blame them!

For centuries fishermen and even the odd pirate have reaped the benefit of the rugged coastline, which today is a haunt for people who surf, scuba dive, sail or just simply lie on the sand and watch the clouds drift by.

Head to the north coast if you fancy a day stretched out on a large expense of golden sand watching Atlantic waves breaking on the shore with surfers following in their wake. Or for secluded coves and sheltered bays make your way to the south coast. But rest assured - whatever beach you choose it will be blessed with the clear waters and picturesque views that put Cornwall's beaches among the best in the world.

In partnership with South West Water, Surfers Against Sewage, the Environment Agency and VisitDevon you can now run a live check on bathing water quality at 9 Cornish beaches: Summerleaze Beach, Bude
Crantock, near Newquay
Gyllyngvase beach, Falmouth
Polzeath beach
Porthleven beach (west)
Porthminster and Porthmeor beaches, St Ives
The Towans, Godrevy, near Hayle
Porthtowan beach, near Redruth

So that Cornwall's beaches can be enjoyed by everyone many have facilities for visitors with disabilities. A number of beaches also have sand chairs available for hire.

Cornwall's beaches are also popular with our four legged friends and there are a number which are dog friendly all year round. However some beaches operate a seasonal dog ban from Easter day to 1st October. To find out which of Cornwall's beaches do, and do not permit dogs, along with useful information and contacts when bringing your pet on holiday with you click here for our dogs on beaches guide. Please remember that in hot weather beaches may not be the ideal place to take your dog. 

If you have lost your dog please contact the Cornwall Council Dog Warden Service on 0300 1234 212.

Information on tide times in Cornwall - visit the BBC Cornwall website