Cornwall now has more Blue Flag beaches than ever before, with eight beaches in the county having been awarded this special status. The iconic Blue Flag, is an international quality mark for beaches. It is a widely considered a gold standard and means that Cornwall’s beaches are clean, safe and recommended.
There is no better time to visit Cornwall with our beautiful blue flag beaches. Here are our Blue Flag beaches to visit this summer.
Credit Visit Cornwall
Great Western Beach, Newquay
Our very own Great Western right here in Newquay. Newquay’s original surfing beach, sheltered by large cliffs with golden sand, and Blue Flag clean water. This beach can be accessed via slope, with food and drink available on the beach, free toilets, and close to Newquay town. There’s parking in the town too. There are lifeguards from mid-May until the 26th of September.
Porthtowan Beach, Porthtowan
Credit, Matt Jessop
This is a popular surfing beach, with good accessibility. With dramatic cliffs and golden sand, at low tide you can walk around the neighbouring Chapel Porth. There is a children’s play area at the top of the beach too. A popular surfing beach, with the nearby Blue Bar for a laid-back drink or meal by the beach. There is full lifeguard cover from the 1th of May to the 26th of September, then during weekends in October and full cover during October half term (2021). A seasonal dog ban applies on this beach from 15th May until the 30th of September (10am-6pm) (2020).
Porthmeor Beach, St Ives
The Tate St Ives overlooks this beauty of a beach, popular with surfers, swimmers, families and couples. A white sand beach, which is very popular in the summer months. Close by to the town of St Ives, where you can explore the town with its cool boutiques, bars and restaurants and galleries. Parking is available in St Ives, but it is very busy in the peak-season. There is a seasonal dog ban and lifeguard cover from Easter until October.
Photo by Matt Jessop – Provided by Visit Cornwall
Polzeath Beach, near Wadebridge
A large beach on Cornwall’s north coast, surfers and families love this expansive beach. At low tide the golden sand reaches a quarter of mile in each direction, when the tide comes in the beach is almost covered. When the tide comes in this is the perfect opportunity to browse in the shops that line the village street or relax and have drink in one of the cafes and pubs.
It is easily accessible, with parking nearby.
Gyllyngvase, Falmouth
Known locally as ‘Gylly’, this beach is just a stone’s throw from Maritime meets student-hub town Falmouth. A soft-sand crescent-shaped beach, this beach ticks a lot of boxes, with being family friendly, flat access, close to public toilets, and great amenities nearby. There is a large car park nearby, and the beach is linked with Swanpool beach via a coast path which is nature reserve. This beach is also excellent for watersports – Gylly really is a people pleaser.
There is lifeguard cover from the 15th of May until the 26th of September.
Widemouth Bay, by Matt Jessop
Widemouth Bay, Bude
One of the furthest beaches away from Hendra near the north coast seaside town of Bude. This beach is only a few miles away from Bude but feels more remote due to the large expanse of sand, stretching nearly 2 miles. A great place to learn to surf or body board, with many a surf school in the area. Watch out for rips in the sea near Black Rock as well as high tides.
There is a lifeguard cover from the 1st of May until the 26th of September as well as weekend cover in October half-term. Dogs are welcome throughout the year on the southern section of the beach (Black Rock). The northern part operates a seasonal dog ban between May 15th and September 30th (10am-6pm) (2021).
Trevone Bay, Padstow
By Matt Jessop
Located south of Trevose head and to the north of Harlyn Bay, this is a sandy beach is surrounded by cliffs, with many an alcove to sit in and enjoy your bit of seaside bliss in Cornwall. The surrounding headland offers the opportunity for fantastic coastal walks, with views to Hawkers Cove, the Camel Estuary and further. The cliff has a large blow hole too – so be careful getting too close!
This is a popular surf beach, with lifeguard cover from the 15th of May until the 26th of September. There is a seasonal dog ban between this lifeguard cover time from 10am until 6pm.
Carbis Bay, St Ives
This year the overlooking Carbis Bay Hotel is hosting the G7 summit 2022, an ideal place to show leaders across the world how beautiful our beaches in Cornwall are. This white sandy beach is very dreamy, the sea has little surf which makes it the perfect place for families with small children and bathers. Enjoy the view of turquoise sea and white sand as you arrive via the park and ride train via the St Ives branch line. There is lifeguard cover from the 10th of July until the 5th September. A dog ban is in place from May 15th to September 30th, 10am till 6pm.
