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South West Cornwall Beaches

South West Cornwall Beaches

From family-friendly stretches of sand to hidden coves and water sports hotspots, the beaches of St Austell, St Mawes, and the Roseland Peninsula promise unforgettable coastal experiences.

Find your favourite South West Cornwall Beaches

Encompassing the beautiful areas of St Austell, St Mawes, and the Roseland Peninsula. This picturesque stretch of Cornish coast has family-friendly beaches, watersports spots to hidden coves.

Full List of South West Cornwall Beaches

See our full list of beaches in South West Cornwall in alphabetical order.

Booley Beach

Booley Beach on the Cornwall coast, between Polkerris and Par Sands, is a fabulous spot slightly off the beaten path.

Carlyon Bay

Lively Carlyon Bay area includes three fabulous beaches, Crinnis Beach, Shorthorn Beach and Polgaver Beach.

Carne Beach

Stunning with unspoiled golden sand, Carne Beach stands out as one of the best beaches on the Roseland Peninsula.

Charlestown Beach

This picturesque harbour and visitor attraction of Charlestown is one of Cornwall’s World Heritage Sites, it has two beaches either side of the harbour.

Duporth Beach

Duporth Beach is a quiet sand and shingle beach with rock pools exposed at low tide.

Elwinick Beach

A hidden Gem. Elwinick beach is a tiny sheltered cove just to the East of Porthbeor Beach, well off the beaten track.

Great Perhaver Beach

Great Perhaver Beach just east of Gorran Haven on the Cornwall coast, is an unspoilt secluded spot.

Gorran Haven

Charming Gorran Haven is a traditional fishing village near St Austell, popular with holiday makers in the summertime.

Hemmick Beach

Hemmick Beach is a secluded sandy beach, accessed from the bottom of a long narrow road from Boswinger, west of Gorran Haven.

Kiberick Cove

Small and sheltered, Kiberick Cove is on the eastern side of Nare Head on Cornwall’s Roseland peninsula. This beach off the beaten track

Mevagissey Harbour

Mevagissey Harbour is Cornwall’s second largest fishing port. This beautiful, historic harbour is home to a thriving fishing industry and is busy with boats coming and going.

Par Sands Beach

Lovely sandy Par Sands is a wide open flat beach which at low tide extends out about half a mile.

Pendower Beach

Popular Pendower beach is a long sandy beach on the Roseland Heritage Coast. At low tide it joins neighbouring Carne beach.

Pentewan Beach

Once a thriving port, today Pentewan Sands, just north of Mevagissey Harbour is a popular family holiday destination.

Polkerris Beach

Visit Polkerris Beach Polkerris Beach is a picturesque sandy cove with activities for the whole family.

Polridmouth Beach

Polridmouth Beach on the Cornwall Coast is a charming secluded cove just South of Fowey. The South West Coast Path runs along this beach which is only accessible by foot, or by boat.

Polstreath Beach

Polstreath Beach just north along the coastal path from Mevagissey Harbour.

Portgiskey Cove

Portgiskey Cove is tiny secluded beach immediately south of Pentewan Sands Beach.

Porthbean Cove

On The Roseland near Portscatho, Porthbean Beach is a sandy and shingle beach with rocks at low tide​.

Porthbeor Beach

Porthbeor Beach is a quiet sandy beach on the tip of the Roseland Peninsula.

Porthcurnick Beach

Great for swimming, Porthcurnick Beach is a beautiful unspoilt gently curving beach. Have lunch on the beach and enjoy the clear waters.

Portholland Beach

Two beaches at low tide joining East and West Portholland. This wide stretch of sand is the ideal spot for a family day on the beach.

Porthluney Cove

Porthluney Cove also known as Caerhays Beach is a privately owned, secluded beach on the South Cornwall coast.

Porthpean Cove

Porthpean Cove, just south of Duporth Beach, is a lovely sheltered cove with fabulous views over st Austell Bay.

Portscatho Beach

Portscatho Beach is a small sandy beach with rocky outcrops with views over Gerrans Bay.

Portloe Beach

Pretty Portloe Beach is a charming tiny harbour beach on the Roseland peninsula in South Cornwall. Portloe often tops the list of prettiest Cornish villages..

Portmellon Beach

Portmellon Beach is a small sandy cove Portmellon is a small sandy cove just a 15 minute walk from Mevagissey.

Summers Beach

Summers beach in St Mawes is on the eastern side of the harbour and is a popular family beach during the summertime.

Tavern Beach

Tavern beach is a small, south-facing beach in the picturesque small harbour town of St Mawes on the Roseland peninsula.

Towan Beach

Natural and unspoilt, Towan Beach is a beautiful gently curving beach on the South Cornwall coast.

Vault Beach

Vault Beach showcases Cornwall’s raw coastal beauty, offering a true escape. Whether you prefer kayaking, paddleboarding, or embracing nature in its purest form.

What’s On

Coastal events in South West Cornwall for your diary

Annual events taking place for 2024.

  • Food Festivals
  • Sailing
  • Sporting Events
read more

Top South West Cornwall Beaches

Looking for top South West Cornwall Coast destinations? Miles of sandy beaches, traditional seaside towns and family attractions. Walk the coastal path or find family friendly Blue Flag beaches. There are sandy beaches in Cornwall which are safe for swimming as well as dog friendly beaches for long walks with our four legged friends.

Blue Flag

Family Friendly award winning beaches

Dog friendly

For long walks with our four legged friends.

What’s On

Find out What’s On – from festivals to cultural events along the coast

Enjoy the beautiful South West Cornwall coast.

Explore other areas near South West Cornwall

Explore the miles of UK coastline with popular seaside destinations, coastal walks and water sports. Find more beaches in the southwest coast of England, covering the counties of North Cornwall, North Devon, South Devon, Somerset, South East Cornwall, and South Cornwall. Stop off at a beach for the day or walk or cycle the coastal trails.

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