Katherine Sorrell
17 July 2025
The most stunning beaches can be found all around the coast of Cornwall, from huge expanses of soft sand to tiny coves that are well off the beaten track. There are more than 300 beaches in Cornwall in total to choose from (and no, we don’t know who counted them!), offering choices for family fun, surfing and other water sports, swimming, sunbathing, long walks with the dog or a tranquil day getting back to nature.
Our guide focuses on the best South Cornwall beaches, including useful tips for visiting such as parking, lifeguard patrols and whether dogs are allowed. Known for its safe, sheltered beaches with generally calm waters, the south coast of Cornwall offers a huge choice of destinations for your day at the seaside, among them beaches which are globally renowned beauty spots and others which offer a chance to escape the crowds.
If you’re ready to pack your swimmers and suncream, click below now to discover our selection of high-quality holiday cottages near the beach in South Cornwall.
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Porthcurno Beach, Porthcurno
Just 200 metres from the incredible Minack Theatre, Porthcurno is a soft, white beach backed by impressive cliffs. It’s a beautiful, sheltered spot for sunbathing and for swimming in the aquamarine waters (though the beach does shelve steeply and there can be strong underwater currents). It even has a stream down one side where little ones can paddle safely and enjoy.
Good to know
- Postcode: TR19 6JX
- Parking: There is a large car park above the beach (charges apply)
- Facilities: There’s a cafe above the beach, and WCs in the cafe and next to the car park
- Dog friendly: Dogs are allowed on Porthcurno Beach all year, except 10am-6pm in July and August
- Lifeguards: In 2025, Porthcurno Beach will be patrolled by RNLI lifeguards 10am-6pm daily until 28 September
- Accessibility: To access the beach, you’ll have to use either steep steps or a sandy slope with a rope handrail
- Stay nearby: Bracken Bank | Sleeps 8
Sennen Beach, Land’s End
If you’re looking for beaches in and around Marazion, Sennen Cove is a great choice. As you turn off the main road and spot the sea at the bottom of the steep hill, your heart will soar. This mile-long expanse of sand is fabulous for surfing and a great family beach, too, with a cafe, parking, lifeguards and WCs.
Good to know
- Postcode: TR19 7DG
- Parking: There’s a car park with about 200 spaces just above the beach (get there early in the summer months to find a space) – there’s also an overflow car park at the top of a steep hill
- Facilities: WCs, beach cafe/restaurant, shop, surf hire
- Dog friendly: Dogs are allowed on Sennen Beach all year, except 10am-6pm from 15 May to 30 September – they’re welcome all year on Gwynver Beach at the northern end of the bay
- Lifeguards: Lifeguards patrol Sennen Beach daily 10am-6pm until 2 November 2025
- Accessibility: There is a slipway down to the beach
- Stay nearby: Carn Base | Sleeps 6 + 1 dog
Praa Sands, Penzance
This popular beach, located between Penzance and Helston, is another 1-mile stretch of sand, that’s great for swimming and surfing, with spectacular waves and lifeguards on duty in the summer. With cafes, WCs and plenty of parking, plus a beach shop to pick up essentials such as buckets and spades or body boards, Praa Sands (it’s pronounced ‘pray’) is a great option for a family day out.
Good to know
- Postcode: TR20 9TQ
- Parking: There are four car parks close to the beach
- Facilities: WCs, beach shop, cafes
- Dog friendly: Dogs are welcome on Praa Sands all year, except for 10am to 6pm in July and August
- Lifeguards: In 2025, Praa Sands is patrolled by lifeguards between 10am-6pm daily until 28 September; also weekends 4 to 19 October and from 25 October to 2 November
- Accessibility: There are steps from the first car park, but from the three smaller car parks the road becomes a slipway to the beach
- Stay nearby: Uplands | Sleeps 6 + 2 dogs
Kennack Sands, Lizard Peninsula
Located in a National Landscape (formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) on the Lizard Peninsula, Kennack Sands has the distinction of being the only beach in Cornwall to have been given ‘nature reserve’ status, thanks to its unusual geology. This wide, sheltered, sandy beach is actually two beaches divided by a small hill and a rock feature.
Good to know
- Postcode: TR12 7LT
- Parking: There’s a car park at the eastern end of the beach
- Facilities: Cafes and WCs next to the beach
- Dog friendly: Dogs are welcome on Kennack Sands all year, except 10am-6pm in July and August
- Lifeguards: In 2025, Kennack Beach is patrolled by lifeguards between 10am-6pm daily until 28 September
- Accessibility: From the main car park, there’s a gently sloped path to the beach and ramps onto the sand
- Stay nearby: No 5 The Beach – Kennack Sands | Sleeps 4 + 2 dogs
Gorran Haven Beach, St Austell
The charming fishing village of Gorran Haven, south of Mevagissey, has a small, crescent-shaped, sandy beach. Sheltered by a stone harbour wall, the beach enjoys calm, shallow waters that make it ideal for paddling, swimming and launching kayaks or paddleboards.
Good to know
- Postcode: PL26 6JG
- Parking: The field car park in Gorran Haven village is just half a mile from the beach
- Facilities: WCs and beach cafe; a shop in the village
- Dog friendly: Dogs are welcome on Gorran Haven Beach
- Lifeguards: There are no lifeguards on Gorran Haven Beach
- Accessibility: Access to the beach is via a short slipway
- Stay nearby: Bay Cottage | Sleeps 6
Lansallos Beach, Polperro
Also known as West Coombe, Lansallos Beach forms part of an unspoilt stretch of coast between Fowey and Polperro that’s popular with walkers and lovers of wildlife. With no facilities, and only an uneven path (said to be an old smugglers’ track) to lead you to it from Lansallos village.
Good to know
- Postcode: PL13 2QU
- Parking: There’s a National Trust car park in Lansallos Village
- Facilities: There are no cafes or WCs at Lansallos Beach
- Dog friendly: Dogs are welcome on Lansallos Beach all year round, kept under close control
- Lifeguards: There are no lifeguards at Lansallos Beach
- Accessibility: The path from the car park is steep and uneven
- Stay nearby: Harbour's Call | Sleeps 4 + 3 dogs
Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth
Everyone loves ‘Gylly’ Beach, just down the road from the centre of chic Falmouth and a fabulous place to spend a day sunbathing, swimming and building sandcastles. This large, sheltered beach has beautiful views of the coast and Pendennis Castle, and its popular cafe enjoys a reputation for great food.
Good to know
- Postcode: TR11 4NA
- Parking: There’s a pay-and-display car park behind the beach on Queen Mary Road (free November to March), or use roadside parking along Cliff Road if available
- Facilities: WCs (open 9am-5pm) near the north end of the beach; cafes, bars, showers, deckchair hire
- Dog friendly: Dogs are welcome on Gyllyngvase Beach all year, other than 10am-6pm between 15 May and 30 September
- Lifeguards: Lifeguard patrols will operate at Gyllyngvase Beach daily from 10am-6pm until 28 September 2025
- Accessibility: There is a sloping path to access the beach and sand chairs can be hired from the cafe
- Stay nearby: Apartment 5 Quayside | Sleeps 2
Whitsand Bay, Torpoint
It’s worth getting to know the ‘secret’ South-East of Cornwall, where you’ll find the spectacular Whitsand Bay. This unspoilt gem is actually made up of a series of beaches which join together at low tide to form 3 miles of incredible sand between Rame Head and Portwrinkle. Even at busy times, there is plenty of room for everyone here, and it’s a great spot for long walks or surfing the swells.
Good to know
- Postcode: PL10 1JW (Sharrow Point Car Park)
- Parking: Park near Tregantle Fort for Long Sands (aka Tregantle Cliff) Beach (unless red flags indicate that the military firing range is in use), or at Sharrow Point for the Freathy and Tregonhawke areas of beach
- Facilities: A cafe at the top of the cliffs; surf school and cafe at Tregonhawke
- Dog friendly: Dogs are welcome all year round at Whitsand Bay
- Lifeguards: There is RNLI lifeguard cover based at Tregonhawke, daily 10am-6pm until 28 September; also weekends 4 to 19 October and 25 October to 2 November. At Long Sands, lifeguards will operate daily 10am-6pm until 28 September 2025. At Freathy, lifeguards operate weekends and bank holidays only, 10am-6pm from 19 July to 7 September 2025
- Accessibility: The beach can only be reached via steep paths and steps
- Stay nearby: Driftsands | Sleeps 2 + 2 dogs
Talland Bay, Looe
Pretty Talland Bay is located between Looe and Polperro, within a National Landscape, and reached via narrow lanes and steep hills. It’s worth the journey, however – this lovely destination is formed of two coves which are separated at high tide, both sandy and with beautiful, clear water for swimming, snorkelling and fishing. Little ones can explore rock pools, and when you get hungry or thirsty, there are cafes at both beaches.
Good to know
- Postcode: PL13 2JA
- Parking: There is limited pay-and-display parking at the beach, and some free roadside parking nearby
- Facilities: Cafes at both beaches with WCs available for patrons
- Dog friendly: Dogs are welcome all year round at Talland Bay
- Lifeguards: There are no lifeguards at Talland Bay
- Accessibility: The beach is reached via a short, sloping path
- Stay nearby: Brent Lodge | Sleeps 8 + 1 dog
Lantic Bay, Polperro
With clear waters and white sands, this gorgeous beach, owned by the National Trust, is yet another hidden gem set within a National Landscape. Take the steep, uneven paths and you’ll find a peaceful place that never gets crowded, ideal for a quiet day enjoying the wild beauty of nature.
Good to know
- Postcode: PL23 1NP
- Parking: Daytime parking in National Trust car parks
- Facilities: There are no cafes or WCs at Lantic Bay
- Dog friendly: Dogs are allowed on Lantic Bay, kept under close control
- Lifeguards: There are no lifeguards at Lantic Bay
- Accessibility: The paths down to the beach are steep and uneven
- Stay nearby: 8 Ocean View | Sleeps 8 + 2 dogs
Carne Beach, Truro
This secluded family beach offers fine sand and rock pools to enjoy, and at low tide joins with adjacent Pendower Beach to become one long stretch of shoreline. Although popular, it’s never crowded and is a wonderful place for a day by the sea or a dog walk, enjoying the views from Nare Head to the Lizard Peninsula.
Good to know
- Postcode: TR2 5AG
- Parking: There are car parks at Carne and Pendower beaches, free to National Trust members
- Facilities: A refreshment van parks at Carne Beach in the summer, and there are seasonal, daytime WCs at both Carne and Pendower beaches
- Dog friendly: Carne and Pendower beaches welcome dogs kept under close control
- Lifeguards: There is no lifeguard cover at either beach
- Accessibility: There are slopes and uneven ground down to the beaches
- Stay nearby: Vine Cottage – Portloe | Sleeps 6
Kynance Cove, Lizard Peninsula
The spectacular beauty of Kynance Cove has made it world famous, and it’s fair to say that in the summer, you’ll need to get there early if you want to find a space in the car park. Then it’s a mile walk (sometimes steep) down to the beach – where you’ll be rewarded with the sight of white sand, turquoise waters and dramatic rock formations. It’s unique and iconic.
Good to know
- Postcode: TR12 7PJ
- Parking: Limited parking in the National Trust car park above the beach
- Facilities: There are WCs in the car park and at the cove, and a beach cafe which opens all year, weather permitting
- Dog friendly: Kynance Cove allows dogs all year, except between 10am-6pm in July and August
- Lifeguards: There are no lifeguards at Kynance Cove and there can be strong underwater currents
- Accessibility: The walk from the car park to the beach is just under a mile and is steep in places, with steps onto the beach
- Stay nearby: Trenoweth Villa | Sleeps 5
Porthpean Beach, St Austell
Popular with families, this small, sheltered cove near St Austell is a great place for water sports – look out for seals in the water as you explore the cliffs or head around to Charlestown in your kayak or on your paddleboard. It’s generally safe to swim (though there are no lifeguards), and there are rock pools for the little ones. On a sunny day, with its surroundings of dramatic cliffs and rolling farmland, this is the most gorgeous spot.
Good to know
- Postcode: PL25 3RD
- Parking: There is a privately run car park
- Facilities: WCs are available and, in the summer, there is a shop and a cafe
- Dog friendly: Dogs are welcome all year, except between 10am-6pm in July and August
- Lifeguards: There are no lifeguards on Porthpean Beach
- Accessibility: Access is via a steep incline
- Stay nearby: The Smugglers | Sleeps 6
Cawsand Beach, Torpoint
Formed of sand and shingle, this calm, sheltered bay is a popular destination for families with buckets and spades, swimmers, dog walkers, paddle boarders and sea kayakers. Conveniently, you can easily walk to the shops, pubs and cafes of the charming fishing village of Cawsand, and its neighbour, Kingsand.
Good to know
- Postcode: PL10 1LE
- Parking: There’s a beach car park and several more car parks in the village
- Facilities: Cawsand Beach has a cafe and WCs
- Dog friendly: Cawsand Beach is dog-friendly all year except for between 10am-6pm in July and August
- Lifeguards: There are no lifeguards at Cawsand
- Accessibility: The car park is right next to the beach and there is a short slipway suitable for buggies and wheelchairs
- Stay nearby: The Bay Overlooking Cawsand Beach | Sleeps 6
Map of the 15 best beaches in South Cornwall
Find the 15 best beaches in South Cornwall with our handy map.
Stay with us and enjoy the best beaches in South Cornwall
Choose a holiday cottage near the beach in South Cornwall for a family getaway, a couple’s escape or a group celebration. Many of our high-quality, self-catering properties welcome dogs, too. Just click the link below and start planning your next holiday by the sea in Cornwall.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.