The top beaches in Falmouth

Historic Falmouth draws visitors for its maritime heritage, lively cultural scene, beautiful landscape, and of course, its stunning coastline. Although it is not as renowned for its beaches as other parts of Cornwall – such as Bude or St Ives – there are still several lovely bays in the area, as well as lots of things to see and do in Falmouth.

Whether you like a family-friendly beach with soft sand, safe swimming and plenty of amenities, or you prefer a wilder beach away from the crowds where you can let your dog play in the sea all year round, there are plenty to choose from. Lovers of water sports will want to head to Loe Beach, Swanpool or Gyllyngvase where kayaking, SUP and bodyboarding are available. Or for a more tranquil spot away from the crowd, the little coves of Helford are well worth a visit. 

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Skip to:

• Gyllyngvase Beach
• Swanpool Beach
• Castle Beach
• Tunnel Beach
• Maenporth Beach
• Flushing Beach
• Loe Beach
• Helford Passage Beach
• Durgan Beach

Gyllyngvase Beach

Located on the south side of the Falmouth peninsula, Gyllyngvase sits to the west of Pendennis Castle. This beautiful crescent of sand is widely regarded as one of Falmouth’s best beaches and is popular with families due to its sheltered position. Backed by grassy banks leading to the promenade, the beach is easily accessible for pushchairs and wheelchair users, and the stylish Gylly Beach café is a lovely spot for an evening meal or leisurely lunch. 

Swanpool Beach

This particularly beautiful beach is backed by a nature reserve with a large fresh and saltwater lake, known for its swans, ducks and other wildlife. Swanpool Beach itself is easily accessible from the adjacent car park. The initial shingle leads to soft sand that gently shelves into the turquoise water, making the beach popular with families. Swanpool is home to a water sports school that offers kayaks, SUPs and bodyboards for hire, providing entertainment for older children and adults. In addition, there is a crazy golf course behind the beach and a café that sells sandwiches, ice cream and drinks.

Castle Beach

Overlooked by historic Pendennis Castle sitting proudly on the headland, Castle Beach is a mix of sand and shingle with large rocky areas revealed at low tide, which are popular for rock pooling, so make sure you go armed with a net and bucket. The beach is accessed by steps that lead down from the promenade above, and there is also a steep slope. If you can find a space, there is parking conveniently available on the road right behind the beach, but if not, there are plenty of car parks a short walk away. An array of colourful beach huts lines the beach, along with a small café where you can buy hot and cold drinks, toasted sandwiches and of course, ice creams. 

Tunnel Beach

Tunnel Beach adjoins neighbouring Castle Beach close to Falmouth town centre and is famous for its unique means of access and rocky shoreline. The only way to access this beach is from a fascinating, brick-walled structure at road level. A staircase leads down to a short tunnel, which emerges onto a small viewing platform above the sea. If the tide is high, you can take a seat on the bench and simply enjoy the sweeping view out to sea and towards the castle, or if the tide is out, an additional set of steps leads down onto the beach, which is full of rock pools at low tide. There are no facilities at the beach, but it is just a short walk to the café and toilets at neighbouring Castle Beach.

Maenporth Beach

Located just a couple of miles south of Falmouth, beautiful Maenporth Beach is framed by lush green hillsides, creating an idyllic, calm bay of turquoise water. The soft sand shelves gently into the shallow water providing safe swimming for all ages. The beach is easily accessible due to the adjacent car park and there is a water sports centre on site offering SUP and kayak hire. The beach café offers burgers, crab sandwiches, light snacks and a selection of drinks, it is also a lovely spot to sit and enjoy the view. 

Other Falmouth Beaches

The beaches mentioned in this section aren’t in Falmouth but are nearby and worth venturing a little bit further from the town to explore. 

Flushing Beach

This small, sheltered beach sits on the opposite bank of the Penryn River from Falmouth itself. Backed by trees, it is an idyllic and tranquil bay, with breathtaking views across the water to the boats in Falmouth docks. A mixture of sand and shingle, it also has some rocky areas ideal for rock pooling when the tide is out. There are SUPs and kayaks available to hire on the beach in the summer months. There is no café or toilet facilities on the beach but Flushing village is less than a mile away where you can find several places to eat and drink. 

Loe Beach

Situated on the Fal estuary close to the village of Feock, Loe Beach is a popular destination for water sports due to its sheltered location. The beach itself is a mix of sand and shingle and is easily accessible with an on-site car park. The water sports centre based at the beach offers a range of activities and equipment to hire including rowing boats, SUPs and kayaks. Sailing and powerboat lessons are also available. 

There is a lovely café on the beach with beautiful views offering hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches and locally caught fish and chips.

Helford Passage Beach

One of several charming small bays along the breathtakingly beautiful Helford River, Helford Passage is a picturesque, small sand and shingle beach on the north side of the river. The small Helford ferry boat runs on demand from Helford on the south side of the river – making access to the beach easier. SUPs and kayaks are available to hire from the beach as are small boats for exploring the river. The Ferryboat Inn sits just back from the beach and is an idyllic spot for an evening drink where you can watch the sun go down over the water.

Durgan Beach

Another pretty bay on the Helford River, Durgan Bay is a small, sand and shingle beach located at the bottom of the spectacular Glendurgan Gardens. It can be accessed either via the scenic coastal path and the National Trust Glendurgan Gardens or by parking in the National Trust car park a short walk away. Peaceful and unspoilt, it is safe for paddling and at low tide, there are plenty of rockpools to explore. There is no beach café, but it is a lovely spot for a picnic.

Falmouth beaches map

Find all the best beaches in Falmouth mentioned above with the help of our handy map.

Stay with us in Falmouth

The lovely beaches of Gyllyngvase and Swanpool are ideal for a family seeking safe, sandy spots for little ones. Alternatively, head to the secret bays of the stunning Helford River which offer the chance to go exploring on foot or by water for those looking for a more adventurous day out.

Whether you are with family or friends, we have an array of properties in Falmouth guaranteed to suit, from luxury apartments to cosy cottages.