Before you set off
Today's snapshot
Mawgan Porth opens up into a wide sandy beach at low tide and shrinks noticeably at high water. Rips can form towards the edges of the bay, and the river across the sand can affect water quality after heavy rain.
Plan your visit
Getting there
Two car parks sit behind the beach, either side of the valley road. Both are privately run and within a couple of minutes of the sand.
- Parking: Two privately run car parks sit behind the beach, one behind the Merrymoor Inn and one nearer the cafe. Charges are shown on site.
- Dog rules: No seasonal dog ban. Dogs welcome on the beach all year. Check water quality after heavy rain (River Menalhyl crosses the beach).
- Lifeguards: RNLI lifeguards patrol daily through the main season, roughly early May to late September, with weekend and half-term cover either side.
- After rain: The River Menalhyl crosses the beach and water quality can drop after heavy rain, so check Swimfo and the Safer Seas & Rivers Service before swimming.
Get in the water
Hire & lessons
The bay has its own surf school and a hire shop opposite the sand.
Kingsurf Surf School
The surf school on Mawgan Porth beach, teaching all levels since 1997, with hire available.
After the beach
Eat, drink & stay
For a small bay, Mawgan Porth has an unusually good choice of places to eat and stay.
The Merrymoor Inn
A family-run inn a few steps from the sand, with bar food and rooms above the bay.
The Scarlet
An adults-only eco hotel and spa on the cliff above the beach, with a restaurant open to visitors.
Bedruthan Hotel & Spa
A family-focused hotel just north of the bay, with restaurants, a spa and sea views.
Local perspective
Local notes
Mawgan Porth sits between Newquay and Padstow in a compact valley. A stream crosses the beach, and the sand opens into a much wider area as the tide drops.
The surf school, two car parks, pub and rockpools are all within a few hundred metres, which simplifies a family day out. Bedruthan Steps is a short drive north for the cliff views, though beach access there has been affected by cliff falls, so check before you go.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is Mawgan Porth dog friendly?
No seasonal dog ban. Dogs welcome on the beach all year. Check water quality after heavy rain (River Menalhyl crosses the beach).
What's the best tide for Mawgan Porth?
Low to mid tide, when the bay opens out into a wide beach and the rock pools are exposed. The sand shrinks noticeably at high water.
Is Mawgan Porth good for families?
Yes. It is a compact bay with a stream, rock pools, lifeguards in season, two car parks and a surf school on the sand.
Where do you park for Mawgan Porth?
Two privately run car parks sit behind the beach, one behind the Merrymoor Inn and one nearer the cafe.
Is it safe to swim at Mawgan Porth today?
Check the Environment Agency Swimfo profile and Safer Seas & Rivers Service before swimming, particularly after heavy rain when the river can affect water quality.
Are there lifeguards at Mawgan Porth?
Yes. RNLI lifeguards patrol daily through the main season, roughly early May to late September.
Is Mawgan Porth pram or buggy friendly?
The approach is short, with two car parks behind the beach and both within a couple of minutes of the sand. The stream crosses the beach and the sand is soft, so a buggy is harder work once you are down there.
What facilities are available at Mawgan Porth?
Mawgan Porth has public toilets, including an accessible toilet, near the car park. RNLI lifeguards patrol seasonally, and a beach wheelchair is available from Bettys News surf shop from Easter to November. Cafés and shops are directly behind the beach.
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