Before you set off
Today's snapshot
Coverack is a mixed sand-and-shingle beach that shows more sand at low tide and becomes mostly pebble at high water. The notorious Manacles Reef lies just offshore, so stay close to the beach unless you are with a guided dive or snorkel trip.
Plan your visit
Getting there
Two village car parks, run on an honesty-box basis, sit within easy walking distance of the beach. Proceeds go towards village facilities, so it is worth putting a little extra in.
- Parking: North Corner and Dolor Point car parks are run by St Keverne Parish Council on an honesty-box basis, both within walking distance of the beach, with a smaller harbourside car park also available.
- Dog rules: Dogs welcome year-round. Lead required on the beach 1 June - 31 August, 9am - 6pm (St Keverne Parish Council rule). Off-lead permitted before 9am and after 6pm during this period, and any time outside June-August.
- Lifeguards: There is no regular RNLI lifeguard cover at Coverack. The nearest lifeguarded beach is Kennack Sands, around three miles north.
- Offshore: The Manacles Reef lies just north of the village and has caused numerous historic shipwrecks, including the SS Mohegan in 1898. It is now a well-known diving site, best explored with a guide.
Get in the water
Hire & lessons
A windsurfing centre on the harbour covers hire and tuition through the season.
Coverack Windsurfing Centre
Windsurfing, paddleboard and kayak hire with tuition, running from the harbour from May to October.
After the beach
Eat, drink & stay
A sea-view hotel restaurant and a harbourside seafood restaurant cover the village's dining.
The Bay Hotel & Hevva Restaurant
A sea-view hotel restaurant serving a Cornish and seafood menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Old Lifeboat House Restaurant
A harbourside restaurant and takeaway in the former lifeboat house, serving seafood and fish and chips.
Local perspective
Local notes
Coverack still feels like a working fishing village rather than a resort, and that is exactly its appeal. The harbour, built in 1724, is generally quieter and less commercialised than many south Cornwall beaches.
The Manacles Reef offshore has a dark history - the SS Mohegan struck it in fog in 1898, killing over a hundred people - but its clear water and marine life also draw guided diving and snorkelling trips.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is Coverack beach dog friendly?
Dogs welcome year-round. Lead required on the beach 1 June - 31 August, 9am - 6pm (St Keverne Parish Council rule). Off-lead permitted before 9am and after 6pm during this period, and any time outside June-August.
What's the best tide for Coverack?
Low tide reveals more sand and less shingle. At high tide the beach is mostly pebble.
Are there lifeguards at Coverack?
No regular RNLI lifeguard cover. The nearest lifeguarded beach is Kennack Sands, around three miles north.
Where do you park for Coverack beach?
The North Corner and Dolor Point car parks, run by St Keverne Parish Council on an honesty-box basis, both within walking distance of the beach.
Is it safe to swim at Coverack today?
Check the Environment Agency Swimfo profile and Safer Seas & Rivers Service before swimming, and be aware of the Manacles Reef just offshore.
Is Coverack beach pram or buggy friendly?
The village car parks are within easy walking distance of the beach, though the mixed sand-and-shingle surface is hard going on wheels.
What facilities are available at Coverack?
Coverack has two public toilet blocks, one near the main car park and one near the harbour; both close at dusk. There is no RNLI or official lifeguard service. Cafés, a pub, shops, and restaurants are close to the water.
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