Best Beaches in Cornwall for Dogs, Families, Surfing and More

We are having a lovely summer so far in Cornwall, and with 422 miles of coast to explore, beaches are firmly on my mind! This month I thought I would pick out some of the best...

Best for dogs

In Cornwall, a lot of beaches have a dog ban in effect during the summer months, but there are still a few where you can exercise your canine friend.

Harlyn Bay near Padstow, Watergate Bay at Newquay and Mexico Towans are just a few.

Best for little ones

If we are talking amenities, easy access and safe waters, then we love Gyllyngvase in Falmouth. With a café on the beach, toilets and close parking, it’s a no-brainer.

East Looe Beach is another great option. Safe swimming, that cool Banjo Pier and golden sand for building castles. Perfect.

We also like Bude’s Summerleaze Beach, with its sea pool offering a little protection from the tides. It is very close to the town centre too, and you could always rent a beach hut!

Best for surf

I mean, after all, that is what our beaches are pretty famous for. If you’re a beginner and need some help, loads of Cornwall’s beaches have fab surf schools.

Polzeath on the north coast is great. Its gentle and consistent waves make it a good place to learn the ropes. Newquay boasts brilliant beaches, with both Fistral and Watergate Bay being popular spots. Fistral can see swells of up to eight feet!

A lot of the locals love Perranporth, while Constantine Bay is a real beauty, whether you’re in the sea or on the sand.

Best for food

If you prefer watching the waves while tucking into top nosh, these are the beaches for you!

We love the Hidden Hut, but perhaps I shouldn’t be saying that! Tucked into Porthcurnick Beach is where you’ll find it. Delicious, but popular!

You can’t go wrong in St Ives, with so many good foodie options. Porthminster Café and Porthgwidden Beach Café are two firm favourites.

Lusty Glaze Beach is another place that draws a faithful following, although you do have to tackle quite a few steps! On the south coast, Hub Box at Pentewan is a brilliant option. It has tables right on the beach. Perfect.

Best for accessibility

Sand and wheelchairs aren’t the best mix, but thankfully a few beaches have specialist beach wheelchairs, sometimes known as ‘sand chairs’, available to book.

Crooklets Beach has level access, and you can get a sand chair from the Summerleaze Beach Office. Fistral Beach has accessible toilets and a nearby car park, and a sand chair is available from the Fistral Surf Hire Shop.

If you’re just after good access to the beach, I would also consider Mawgan Porth, which is lovely and level with good amenities nearby. Poldhu Cove is another great beach with good level access, so no one needs to miss out!

Best for sunsets

Want to watch the sun sink with a cocktail in your hand? Polzeath on the north coast is hard to rival. The skies here are all aflame come sunset.

Trebarwith Strand, with the Port William pub, is another great spot. The beach disappears at high tide, completely changing the landscape.

If you want a quintessential Cornish view, then the village of Marazion, opposite St Michael’s Mount, can’t be beaten. The Godolphin Hotel, right on the beach, serves delicious cocktails.

Perranporth is perfect for sunset walks, and the roof terrace at The Watering Hole would be the perfect place to watch the sun sink into the sea.

Dog restrictions and beach facilities can change, so please check the latest information before setting out.