Low to mid tide
Kynance Cove
A National Trust cove on the Lizard with serpentine rock stacks, sea caves and some of the clearest water in Cornwall.
- Type
- Serpentine cove
- Best for
- Scenery & rockpools
- Parking
- National Trust car park
Cornwall, England
South Cornwall
Local guides to serpentine coves, sheltered sandy bays and fishing villages along the Lizard and Roseland coast, from Kynance Cove to Fowey.
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Explore the coast
Compare nine beaches by character, best tide and local details before choosing where to spend the day.
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Mid to low tide
Porthcurno
A near-Land's-End bay of pale sand and turquoise water below the cliffside Minack Theatre.
- Type
- Sandy cove
- Best for
- Swimming & scenery
- Parking
- Beach car park
Any tide
Praa Sands
A long, west-facing sandy beach near Penzance with space for families and a café behind the dunes.
- Type
- Long sandy beach
- Best for
- Families & space
- Parking
- Beach car park
Mid to high tide
Readymoney Cove
A small, sheltered sandy cove a short walk from Fowey, below the ruins of St Catherine's Castle.
- Type
- Sheltered cove
- Best for
- Easy sheltered swims
- Parking
- Fowey town car parks
Any tide
Maenporth
A sheltered sandy bay just outside Falmouth, with a watersports centre and café right behind the beach.
- Type
- Sheltered bay
- Best for
- Watersports & families
- Parking
- Beach car park
Any tide
Swanpool Beach
A sheltered Falmouth beach beside the Swanpool nature reserve, popular for family swims and kayaking.
- Type
- Sheltered town beach
- Best for
- Families & swimming
- Parking
- Beach car park
Mid tide
Coverack
A sheltered Lizard fishing village beach known for clear water, snorkelling and coasteering.
- Type
- Village beach
- Best for
- Snorkelling & coasteering
- Parking
- Village car park
Mid to high tide
Polkerris
A small sandy cove near Fowey with a watersports centre, sailing club and a pub right on the sand.
- Type
- Sheltered cove
- Best for
- Sailing & watersports
- Parking
- Beach car park
Mid to low tide
Poldhu Cove
A National Trust sandy cove on the Lizard, above the site of Marconi's first transatlantic radio transmission.
- Type
- Sandy cove
- Best for
- Families & history
- Parking
- National Trust car park