Porth Beach Cornwall
Expansive family-friendly beach in Newquay, Cornwall, known for its rock pools, paddleboarding at high tide, and Porth Island.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
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Best Time
Explore rock pools & caves
Porth Beach Cornwall
Best Time
Explore rock pools & caves
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Expansive family-friendly beach in Newquay, Cornwall, known for its rock pools, paddleboarding at high tide, and Porth Island.
"My favourite beach to go to in Cornwall, the beach is so clean and is by far the most beautiful one round the area locally."
🌊 Check Tide Times
Essential for exploring rock pools or paddleboarding. Low tide reveals hidden treasures!
🚗 Parking Strategy
The main car park is convenient but pricey. Arrive early or explore nearby options.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Porth Island Exploration
Porth Beach
Walk across the footbridge to Porth Island, especially vibrant with sea pinks in bloom. Discover blowholes during stormy weather.
Rock Pool Discoveries
Porth Beach
At low tide, explore the numerous rock pools teeming with marine life. A fun and educational activity for all ages.
Sunrise and Sunset Views
Porth Beach
Catch breathtaking sunrises and sunsets over the ocean. Porth Beach offers a serene backdrop for these natural spectacles.
Coastal Path Walks
Near Porth Beach
Embark on scenic coastal walks, including the route to Porth Joke/Polly Joke beach, offering stunning sea views.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything for Porth Beach
Parking and Access Tips
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🌊 Check Tide Times
Essential for exploring rock pools or paddleboarding. Low tide reveals hidden treasures!
🚗 Parking Strategy
The main car park is convenient but pricey. Arrive early or explore nearby options.
🥾 Coastal Walk Ready
Wear comfortable shoes for exploring Porth Island and nearby coastal paths.
☀️ Summer Lifeguards
Lifeguards are on duty during summer, offering peace of mind for families.
Tips
from all over the internet
🌊 Check Tide Times
Essential for exploring rock pools or paddleboarding. Low tide reveals hidden treasures!
🚗 Parking Strategy
The main car park is convenient but pricey. Arrive early or explore nearby options.
🥾 Coastal Walk Ready
Wear comfortable shoes for exploring Porth Island and nearby coastal paths.
☀️ Summer Lifeguards
Lifeguards are on duty during summer, offering peace of mind for families.
📸 Sunset Photography
Porth Beach is a prime spot for capturing stunning sunset photos.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Porth Beach is widely loved for its family-friendly atmosphere, clean sands, and fascinating rock pools. Visitors appreciate the convenience of nearby amenities like pubs and cafes, as well as the option for scenic coastal walks. While parking can be a bit expensive, the overall experience is highly rated for its natural beauty and relaxing vibe.
"Lovely beach with pub and cafes. Lifeguards in the summer. Lots of rock pools to discover. Fun for all the family. Even a nice walk on Porth island with its famous blow holes in stormy weather."
Lucy Hayward
"It was a fun and interesting opportunity to explore some of the caves and find little water pools amongst the stones..
The beach was quiet and clean amd there were 2 Life guards on duty, so we felt safe the entire time.."
Karen Basinski
"Beautiful beach and surrounds. Lovely long smooth tidal flow with some caves and great sand. Brilliant little coffee place at The Hole in the Wall (literally) and a pub"
Steve Wilson
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Porth Beach is located just east of Newquay. You can reach it by car, taking a short drive along the coast road. Local buses also serve the area, making it accessible without a car. +1
Yes, local bus services run to Porth Beach from Newquay town center, making it a convenient option for those without a car.
The road from Newquay through Mawgan Porth and on to Padstow offers beautiful coastal views and is a lovely drive.
Absolutely! The South West Coast Path runs nearby, offering stunning views. You can also walk to Porth Island or explore towards Watergate Bay. +1
The road from Newquay through Mawgan Porth offers good views from the car, with several pull-off points for scenic overlooks.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Porth Beach itself is free to access. However, parking in the main car park opposite the beach incurs a fee.
Porth Beach is open 24/7, as it is a public beach. Lifeguards are present during the summer months.
No, tickets are not required to visit Porth Beach. It's a public access beach.
Yes, there is a pay-and-display car park directly opposite the beach. Prices can vary, so it's worth checking current rates.
Lifeguards are typically on duty during the peak summer season to ensure visitor safety.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Porth Beach is great for swimming, paddleboarding (especially at high tide), exploring rock pools at low tide, and enjoying coastal walks.
Yes, Porth Beach is very family-friendly. The gentle tidal flow at high tide and the rock pools at low tide provide safe and fun exploration for kids.
During stormy weather, you can witness the famous blowholes on Porth Island. Exploring the rock pools also reveals small caves and interesting formations.
Porth Island is a small island accessible via a footbridge from Porth Beach. It's known for its sea pinks and coastal views.
Porth Beach is excellent for paddleboarding, particularly at high tide when the water is calmer and more expansive.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there are several options. The Mermaid pub is located on the beach, and there's a coffee place called 'The Hole in the Wall' nearby.
The Mermaid pub on the beach is known for being friendly and offers a good dining experience.
The Mermaid pub is situated right on Porth Beach, offering convenient dining with a view.
Yes, 'The Hole in the Wall' is a highly-rated coffee place located very close to the beach.
Porth Beach Holiday Park, located nearby, has a pizza place and bar, making it a convenient option.
📸 📸 Photography
Porth Beach itself offers beautiful sunrise and sunset views. Porth Island provides elevated perspectives, and nearby Wheal Coates offers dramatic coastal mine scenery. 
Early mornings for sunrise and late afternoons for sunset are magical. Golden hour light enhances the beach's natural beauty. +1
Yes, the blowholes on Porth Island during stormy weather and the iconic Wheal Coates mine ruins overlooking Chapel Porth beach are fantastic subjects.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive beach and coastal views. A telephoto lens can be useful for wildlife or distant details.
Yes, there are sea caves accessible at low tide between Chapel Porth and Porthtowan beach, offering dramatic photographic potential.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🏄♀️ Watersports Adventurers
🚶♀️ Hikers and Coastal Explorers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring Porth Island and its Surroundings
For those who enjoy coastal walks, Porth Beach serves as an excellent starting point. The South West Coast Path is easily accessible, leading to other beautiful beaches and scenic viewpoints. A popular walk is to Porth Joke Beach (also known as Polly Joke), which offers a more secluded and picturesque experience. The journey itself is as rewarding as the destination, with stunning vistas of the Cornish coastline.
Nearby, the iconic Wheal Coates mine ruins stand sentinel above Chapel Porth Beach. This dramatic landscape, often carpeted in heather and gorse, provides a striking contrast to the blue of the Atlantic and is a photographer's dream. It's a testament to Cornwall's rich mining history and offers breathtaking views.
+2Family Fun and Activities at Porth Beach
When the tide recedes, Porth Beach transforms into a natural playground with an abundance of rock pools. These miniature marine ecosystems are fascinating for children (and adults!) to explore, offering a chance to discover small crabs, anemones, and other sea creatures. It’s an engaging and educational way for kids to connect with nature.
Beyond the water, the beach offers ample space for building sandcastles and playing games. The presence of lifeguards during the summer months adds an extra layer of security for parents, allowing everyone to relax and enjoy their day.
Porth Beach for Watersports Enthusiasts
While Porth Beach is known for its calmer waters, its proximity to other Newquay beaches means surfers can find more challenging waves nearby if desired. However, for those seeking a more relaxed watersport experience, Porth Beach truly shines. The gentle conditions allow for extended sessions and a chance to truly soak in the coastal scenery from the water.
For those staying nearby, Porth Beach Holiday Park offers convenient access to the beach and its watersports potential. The combination of a beautiful beach, suitable conditions, and nearby amenities makes Porth Beach a well-rounded destination for watersport enthusiasts looking for a blend of activity and relaxation.
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