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Photo of Kynance Cove, a cove near Mullion, Cornwall, south west England.

Kynance CovePhoto Lāsma Artmane / Unsplash

Beaches & swimming in CornwallCornwall, England

100 beaches and swimming spots in the Albion Guide across Cornwall — see the full beaches and swimming spots directory, or everything to explore in Cornwall.

Photo of Kynance Cove, a cove near Mullion, Cornwall, south west England.Iconic

Kynance Cove

Cove near Mullion

Pale sand, serpentine stacks and turquoise water in a National Trust cove on the Lizard, much of it covered at high tide.

Photo of Porthcurno, a swimming spot near Sennen Cove, Cornwall, south west England.Iconic

Porthcurno

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Sennen Cove

White sand cove below the Minack cliffs.

Photo of Fistral North, a swimming spot near Newquay, Cornwall, south west England.Iconic

Fistral North

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Newquay

Newquay's great Atlantic surf beach.

Photo of Bude Sea Pool, a sea pool near Morwenstow, Cornwall, south west England.Highlight

Bude Sea Pool

Sea pool near Morwenstow

Part-natural tidal pool built into the rocks of Summerleaze Beach in the 1930s, free to swim in all year.

Photo of Jubilee Pool, a lido near Penzance, Cornwall, south west England.Highlight

Jubilee Pool

Lido near Penzance

Art Deco seawater lido of 1935 on the rocks at Penzance, with a geothermally heated pool beside the big unheated one.

Photo of Lamorna Cove, a cove near Mousehole, Cornwall, south west England.Highlight

Lamorna Cove

Cove near Mousehole

Small granite-quarried cove in a wooded Penwith valley, long a haunt of painters and writers.

Photo of Chapel Rock Pool, a sea pool near St Agnes, Cornwall, south west England.Highlight

Chapel Rock Pool

Sea pool near St Agnes

A walled sea pool built in 1959 into Chapel Rock, the flag-topped stack in the middle of Perranporth's beach.

Photo of Mousehole Rock Pool, a sea pool in Cornwall, south west England.Highlight

Mousehole Rock Pool

Sea pool near Mousehole

A big, shallow sea pool built by Mousehole villagers in the early 1970s on the shore below the village, facing St Clement's Isle.

Photo of Mullion Cove, a cove in Cornwall, south west England.Highlight

Mullion Cove

Cove near Mullion

Harbour cove of serpentine stone sheltered by an island and a Victorian breakwater on the western Lizard.

Photo of Nanjizal Beach, a cove near Sennen Cove, Cornwall, south west England.Highlight

Nanjizal Beach

Cove near Sennen Cove

Remote south-facing cove near Land's End with a sea-worn 'Song of the Sea' arch in the cliff.

Photo of Pedn Vounder, a beach near Sennen Cove, Cornwall, south west England.Highlight

Pedn Vounder

Beach near Sennen Cove

Steeply reached tidal beach of white sand and lagoon-blue water beneath the Treryn Dinas headland near Porthcurno.

Photo of Porth Joke, a cove near Newquay, Cornwall, south west England.Highlight

Porth Joke

Cove near Newquay

Quiet unspoilt cove, also called Polly Joke, tucked between headlands near Crantock away from the Newquay crowds.

Photo of Holywell Bay, a swimming spot near St Agnes, Cornwall, south west England.Highlight

Holywell Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Agnes

Dune-backed beach with offshore Gull Rocks.

Photo of Sennen, a swimming spot near Sennen Cove, Cornwall, south west England.Highlight

Sennen

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Sennen Cove

White-sand surf beach beside Land's End.

Photo of Daymer Bay, a swimming spot near Padstow, Cornwall, south west England.

Daymer Bay

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Padstow

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Kingsand, a swimming spot near Cawsand and Kingsand, Cornwall, south west England.

Kingsand

Coastal | Good ★★ near Cawsand and Kingsand

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Marazion, a swimming spot near Penzance, Cornwall, south west England.

Marazion

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Penzance

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Penzance, a swimming spot near Newlyn, Cornwall, south west England.

Penzance

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Newlyn

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Perranporth, a swimming spot near St Agnes, Cornwall, south west England.

Perranporth

Coastal | Good ★★ near St Agnes

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Watergate Bay, a swimming spot near Newquay, Cornwall, south west England.

Watergate Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Newquay

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Booby's Bay, a swimming spot near Padstow, Cornwall, south west England.

Booby's Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Padstow

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Carbis Bay, a swimming spot near St Ives, Cornwall, south west England.

Carbis Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Ives

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Cawsand, a swimming spot near Cawsand and Kingsand, Cornwall, south west England.

Cawsand

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Cawsand and Kingsand

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Chapel Porth, a swimming spot near St Agnes, Cornwall, south west England.

Chapel Porth

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Agnes

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Charlestown, a swimming spot near Mevagissey, Cornwall, south west England.

Charlestown

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Mevagissey

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Church Cove, a swimming spot near Mullion, Cornwall, south west England.

Church Cove

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Mullion

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Constantine Bay, a swimming spot near Padstow, Cornwall, south west England.

Constantine Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Padstow

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Coverack, a swimming spot near Cadgwith, Cornwall, south west England.

Coverack

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Cadgwith

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Crackington Haven, a swimming spot near Boscastle, Cornwall, south west England.

Crackington Haven

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Boscastle

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Crantock, a swimming spot near Newquay, Cornwall, south west England.

Crantock

Estuary | Good ★★ near Newquay

A tidal estuary swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Crinnis Beach, a swimming spot near Charlestown, Cornwall, south west England.

Crinnis Beach

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Charlestown

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Crooklets, a swimming spot near Morwenstow, Cornwall, south west England.

Crooklets

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Morwenstow

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Downderry, a swimming spot near Looe, Cornwall, south west England.

Downderry

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Looe

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Duporth, a swimming spot near Charlestown, Cornwall, south west England.

Duporth

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Charlestown

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of East Looe, a swimming spot in Cornwall, south west England.

East Looe

Estuary | Good ★★ near Looe

A tidal estuary swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Fistral South, a swimming spot near Newquay, Cornwall, south west England.

Fistral South

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Newquay

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Godrevy Towans, a swimming spot near St Ives, Cornwall, south west England.

Godrevy Towans

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Ives

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Gorran Haven Little Perhaver, a swimming spot near Mevagissey, Cornwall, south west England.

Gorran Haven Little Perhaver

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Mevagissey

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Great Western, a swimming spot near Newquay, Cornwall, south west England.

Great Western

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Newquay

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Gwithian Towans, a swimming spot near St Ives, Cornwall, south west England.

Gwithian Towans

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Ives

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Gwynver, a swimming spot near Sennen Cove, Cornwall, south west England.

Gwynver

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Sennen Cove

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Gyllyngvase, a swimming spot near Falmouth, Cornwall, south west England.

Gyllyngvase

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Falmouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Harlyn Bay, a swimming spot near Padstow, Cornwall, south west England.

Harlyn Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Padstow

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Hayle Towans, a swimming spot near St Ives, Cornwall, south west England.

Hayle Towans

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Ives

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Kennack Sands, a swimming spot near Cadgwith, Cornwall, south west England.

Kennack Sands

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Cadgwith

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Long Rock, a swimming spot near Marazion, Cornwall, south west England.

Long Rock

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Marazion

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Lostwithiel, River Fowey, a swimming spot in Cornwall, south west England.

Lostwithiel, River Fowey

Beach near Lostwithiel

A tidal estuary swimming spot in Cornwall.

Photo of Lusty Glaze, a swimming spot near Newquay, Cornwall, south west England.

Lusty Glaze

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Newquay

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Maenporth, a swimming spot near Mawnan Smith, Cornwall, south west England.

Maenporth

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Mawnan Smith

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Mawgan Porth, a swimming spot near Padstow, Cornwall, south west England.

Mawgan Porth

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Padstow

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Mexico Towans, a swimming spot near St Ives, Cornwall, south west England.

Mexico Towans

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Ives

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Millendreath, a swimming spot near Looe, Cornwall, south west England.

Millendreath

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Looe

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Mother Ivey`s Bay, a swimming spot near Padstow, Cornwall, south west England.

Mother Ivey`s Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Padstow

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Northcott Mouth, a swimming spot near Morwenstow, Cornwall, south west England.

Northcott Mouth

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Morwenstow

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Par Sands, a swimming spot near Fowey, Cornwall, south west England.

Par Sands

Coastal | Good ★★ near Fowey

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Pendower, a swimming spot near Portloe, Cornwall, south west England.

Pendower

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Portloe

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Pentewan, a swimming spot near Mevagissey, Cornwall, south west England.

Pentewan

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Mevagissey

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Perranporth Penhale Sands, a swimming spot near St Agnes, Cornwall, south west England.

Perranporth Penhale Sands

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Agnes

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Perranuthnoe, a swimming spot near Marazion, Cornwall, south west England.

Perranuthnoe

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Marazion

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Poldhu Cove, a swimming spot near Mullion, Cornwall, south west England.

Poldhu Cove

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Mullion

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Polkerris, a swimming spot near Fowey, Cornwall, south west England.

Polkerris

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Fowey

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Polstreath, a swimming spot near Mevagissey, Cornwall, south west England.

Polstreath

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Mevagissey

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Polurrian Cove, a swimming spot near Mullion, Cornwall, south west England.

Polurrian Cove

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Mullion

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Polzeath, a swimming spot near Padstow, Cornwall, south west England.

Polzeath

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Padstow

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Porth, a swimming spot near Newquay, Cornwall, south west England.

Porth

Coastal | Good ★★ near Newquay

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Porthallow, a swimming spot near Coverack, Cornwall, south west England.

Porthallow

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Coverack

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Porthcothan, a swimming spot near Padstow, Cornwall, south west England.

Porthcothan

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Padstow

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Porthcurnick, a swimming spot near St Just in Roseland, Cornwall, south west England.

Porthcurnick

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Just in Roseland

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Porthgwidden, a swimming spot near St Ives, Cornwall, south west England.

Porthgwidden

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Ives

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Porthkidney Sands, a swimming spot near St Ives, Cornwall, south west England.

Porthkidney Sands

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near St Ives

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Porthleven Sands, a swimming spot in Cornwall, south west England.

Porthleven Sands

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Porthleven

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Porthluney, a swimming spot near Portloe, Cornwall, south west England.

Porthluney

Coastal | Sufficient ★ near Portloe

A coastal swimming spot with a sufficient water-quality rating.

Photo of Porthmeor, a swimming spot near St Ives, Cornwall, south west England.

Porthmeor

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Ives

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Porthminster, a swimming spot near St Ives, Cornwall, south west England.

Porthminster

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Ives

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Porthoustock, a swimming spot near Coverack, Cornwall, south west England.

Porthoustock

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Coverack

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Porthpean, a swimming spot near Charlestown, Cornwall, south west England.

Porthpean

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Charlestown

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Porthtowan, a swimming spot near St Agnes, Cornwall, south west England.

Porthtowan

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Agnes

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Portmellon, a swimming spot near Mevagissey, Cornwall, south west England.

Portmellon

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Mevagissey

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Portreath, a swimming spot near St Agnes, Cornwall, south west England.

Portreath

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Agnes

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Portwrinkle, a swimming spot near Cawsand and Kingsand, Cornwall, south west England.

Portwrinkle

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Cawsand and Kingsand

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Praa Sands East, a swimming spot near Porthleven, Cornwall, south west England.

Praa Sands East

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Porthleven

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Praa Sands West, a swimming spot near Porthleven, Cornwall, south west England.

Praa Sands West

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Porthleven

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Readymoney Cove, a swimming spot near Polruan, Cornwall, south west England.

Readymoney Cove

Estuary | Good ★★ near Polruan

A tidal estuary swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Sandymouth, a swimming spot near Morwenstow, Cornwall, south west England.

Sandymouth

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Morwenstow

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Seaton (Cornwall), a swimming spot near Looe, Cornwall, south west England.

Seaton (Cornwall)

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Looe

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Sharrow, a swimming spot near Cawsand and Kingsand, Cornwall, south west England.

Sharrow

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Cawsand and Kingsand

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Shorthorn Beach, a swimming spot near Charlestown, Cornwall, south west England.

Shorthorn Beach

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Charlestown

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Summerleaze, a swimming spot near Morwenstow, Cornwall, south west England.

Summerleaze

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Morwenstow

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Swanpool, a swimming spot near Falmouth, Cornwall, south west England.

Swanpool

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Falmouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Tolcarne, a swimming spot near Newquay, Cornwall, south west England.

Tolcarne

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Newquay

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Towan, a swimming spot near Newquay, Cornwall, south west England.

Towan

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Newquay

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Trebarwith Strand, a swimming spot near Tintagel, Cornwall, south west England.

Trebarwith Strand

Coastal | Good ★★ near Tintagel

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Tregonhawke, a swimming spot near Cawsand and Kingsand, Cornwall, south west England.

Tregonhawke

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Cawsand and Kingsand

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Trevaunance Cove, a swimming spot near St Agnes, Cornwall, south west England.

Trevaunance Cove

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Agnes

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Treyarnon Bay, a swimming spot near Padstow, Cornwall, south west England.

Treyarnon Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Padstow

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Upton Towans, a swimming spot near St Ives, Cornwall, south west England.

Upton Towans

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near St Ives

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Vault Beach, a swimming spot near Mevagissey, Cornwall, south west England.

Vault Beach

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Mevagissey

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Wherry Town, a swimming spot near Newlyn, Cornwall, south west England.

Wherry Town

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Newlyn

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Widemouth Sand, a swimming spot near Crackington Haven, Cornwall, south west England.

Widemouth Sand

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Crackington Haven

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Trevone Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Padstow

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.