The Best Beaches to visit in Cornwall on the 'Cornish Riviera'

With over 400 miles of rugged coastline, Cornwall is renown for its variety of beaches from clear azure waters, deserted coves to buzzing surf beaches and mile high waves. If you are planning a trip to the Cornish Coast, make sure to add a few of these beaches onto your itinerary.

1. Kynance Cove , Mounts Bay

Possibly the most photographed beaches in Cornwall, and one of my personal favourites. Kynance Cove is a gem you would expect to see on your Mediterranean holiday. Tucked away on the Lizard peninsula it is accessible by foot, approximately two miles north of Lizard Point. Its' turquoise blue waters and white sandy beach are alluring, although the waters are sub zero (I exaggerate) so enter with caution!

Kynance Cove, Mounts Bay

2. Constantine Bay, Padstow

In my opinion one of the most romantic beaches in Cornwall. By day, this is a surfers paradise, by night - its quiet and calm and has along stretch of beach do doesn't seem too busy of an evening even in peak summer months. We had our own little portable BBQ here one evening and watched the sun go down. It is a west-facing beach so it gets bonus points as it is perfect for sunsets!

3. St. Ives Bay

4-5 Miles of golden sandy beaches makes up St. Ives Bay situated between St Ives headland to the West and Godrevy Light House to the East. The three mile stretch of golden sand contains Gwithian beach popular for surf fanatics. The Sunset Surf beachside café and bar overlooks the beach and is open all year, serving locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.

St. Ives Bay

4. Porthcurno Beach

Picturesque beach retreat featuring turquoise waters & surrounding granite cliffs. Porthcurno, located in the far west of Cornwall has won many awards and it’s easy to see why. With gorgeous fine soft white sand and turquoise waters, sheltered by the high cliffs on both sides, it’s an oasis of stunning natural beauty.

5. Sennen (Whitsand Bay)

Sennen beach is situated just around the corner from Land's End, the most westerly point in mainland Britain, facing the full force of the Atlantic Ocean making it a popular spot for surfers.

The beach at Sennen Cove is called Whitesands Bay and it almost lives up to this name with a mile of fine sand stretching around to neighbouring Gwenver beach.

6. Pendower Beach

Pendower Beach is a lovely sandy, south facing beach in the heart of the Roseland Peninsula.

One side of the beach is much sandier than other and is popular with families during the summer, while the west end of the beach is quite rocky with many good rock pools.

Pendower is situated on the Cornish Way Cycle Route and South West Coast Path, so is a popular stop off point to take in the great views across the bay to Nare Point.

7. Summerleaze Beach

Summerleaze has a unique appeal, not least because it is less than five minutes’ walk from the centre of Bude and the car park leads directly to the sand dunes. The river, with its bobbing fishing boats, flanks the wide, sandy beach that is sheltered by the impressive breakwater, making the beach particularly popular with families and surfers.

8. Fistral Beach, Newquay

As one of the world’s top surfing destinations, backed by high cliffs and sand dunes, Fistral is the playground for hundreds of surf-enthusiasts who flock to the beach to get a fix of the big waves. All the big UK surf competitions take place here including the Famous Night Surf, Boardmasters Surf Championships and National Surf Championships.

The exquisite Headland Hotel overlooks the beach and on shore there are plenty of opportunities to book surf lessons or hire gear and a complex of cafes, takeaways and shops are located on the beach.

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