Beaches in Cornwall

The most picturesque of several beaches situated within a 3-mile stretch of 'golden sands' where the Hayle estuary meets St Ives Bay, Godrevy is a popular surfing beach thanks to its' exposed position in St Ives Bay, experiencing Atlantic tidal swells.

A wide, sandy beach at low tide with rock pools and caves for children to explore, Gwithian Towans is a popular family destination at the mouth of the Hayle estuary near St Ives, Cornwall. Access to the beach is via sand dunes from the car park.

Harbour Beach is a south-facing beach which sits in an enviable position in the centre of the popular resort of St Ives, Cornwall. Sheltered from the Atlantic by its harbour walls (St Ives is still a working harbour), on a fine summers day this tidal beach is a wonderful sun-trap.

At low tide, Hayle's multiple beaches - Hayle Towans, Black Cliff, Mexico Towans - combine to form one vast expanse of sand which stretches several miles from the town itself to the mouth of the Hayle estuary and beyond. Because of its size, the beach rarely becomes overcrowded.

Porthgwidden is St Ives smallest beach, and sits in a sheltered location below St Ives Island, a short walk from the town centre. Porthgwidden is a popular destination for families, who are drawn to its fine, golden sands and stunning location.

Porthkidney Sands is a north-facing beach at the mouth of the Hayle Estuary. It lies only 2 miles from the picturesque harbour town of St Ives, Cornwall. Porthkidney is a vast expanse of sands, facing Hayle Towans to the east of the estuary. At low tide the beach can stretch almost a mile out to sea.

Porthmeor Beach is St Ives largest beach, running parallel to Harbour Beach on the other side of the town. It is a popular beach with families and surfers alike, and is home to a surf school in peak seasons, where equipment can be hired and lessons taken. Porthmeor is a 2011 Blue Flag beach.

Porthminster is the second largest of four beaches in St Ives, Cornwall. Porthminster's north-east-facing, crescent beach is the eastern-most of St Ives beaches. It is a large, clean, sheltered beach with excellent facilities, a short walk from the town centre. Porthminster is a 2011 Blue Flag beach.

Porthtowan is a sandy beach in west Cornwall which at low tide stretches to around a mile and a half in length. The beach, which is north west-facing and backed by impressive cliffs, is a popular surfing venue and a fine family beach. Porthtowan is a 2011 Blue Flag beach.

Portreath is a north-facing, sandy (with some shingle) beach in west Cornwall. It is a popular family beach which also often provides ideal surfing conditions. Portreath Beach, which is around ¼mile in length, sits in a sheltered harbour on the north Cornwall coast.