The Lizard and Falmouth beaches

Map featuring The Lizard and Falmouth beaches. Click on pins to view beach details

The beach guide has 44 beaches listed in The Lizard and Falmouth.

  • Bosahan Cove

    This secluded little cove backs on to the ancient woodlands of the Bosahan estate on the southern banks of the Helford River.  Whilst the phrase 'hidden…

  • Cadgwith Cove

    Cadgwith is one of those Cornish fishing villages that time seems to have passed by. The beach is still very much the centre of the village with a small fleet of…

  • Caerthillian Cove

    Caerthillian Cove is a rocky inlet situated between Lizard Point and Kynance Cove. There may be times when at low tide there is some sand but generally there is…

  • Carleon Cove

    At the foot of Poltesco Valley lies the rocky little Carleon Cove. The National Trust owned beach and valley are now deserted with a few ruined remains, this was…

  • Castle Beach

    Swimming is best around high tide, but not so good when the water is low due to jagged pieces of a wartime wreck which become exposed. One of the less sheltered…

  • Church Cove

    This narrow little rocky cove set between the cliffs on the eastern side of the Lizard Point is a real gem. A clutch of quaint cottages lead to the steep slipway…

  • Coverack Beach

    Situated on the more sheltered eastern side of the Lizard Peninsula is the pretty little fishing village of Coverack. The harbour here is particularly photogenic…

  • Dollar Cove

    Bring your metal detector as there's rumoured to be treasure here. The cove is named after the silver dollars that have occasionally been found from the wreck of…

  • Durgan Beach

    Set at the foot of the valley containing the sub-tropical gardens of Glendurgan is the tiny village of Durgan. Consisting of a clutch of cottages (mostly owned…

  • Flushing Cove

    This small sand and shingle cove on Gillan Creek has wonderful views out towards the sea beyond. Fringed by the mature woodland of the Helford and with no parking…

  • Gillan Harbour Beach

    Small sandy cove. Popular place for small boats and yachts. Close to the Helford Estuary.

  • Godrevy Cove

    Godrevy Cove (not to be confused with Godrevy beach near Hayle) is yet another of the Lizard Peninsula's hidden gems. Situated on the eastern side of the Lizard…

  • Grebe Beach

    Located a short woodland walk away from the village of Durgan is the secluded Grebe beach. Access is via a fairly steep path and the beach is a little out of the…

  • Gunwalloe Beach

    The National Trust owned beach of Gunwalloe sits at the base of the Lizard Peninsula. It is a pretty little cove with a good sized stretch of golden sand backed…

  • Gyllyngvase Beach

    Located just a stone's throw from Falmouth town centre Gyllyngvase is widely considered the best beach in the area. A wide crescent of soft, pale sand lapped by…

  • Helford Passage Beach

    Situated on northern shore of the picturesque Helford Estuary is the pleasant sand and shingle beach of Helford Passage. The backdrop is the 300 year old Ferry…

  • Housel Bay

    Tucked away, just behind the Lizard Point, is the stunningly pretty little cove of Housel Bay. Set at the bottom of craggy, dark serpentine cliffs you will find…

  • Kennack Sands Beach

    Kennack Sands sits on the more sheltered eastern side of the Lizard Peninsula, not far from the tip. Despite its fairly remote location it is very popular - testimony…

  • Kynance Cove

    Popular since Victorian times, the brilliant turquoise water and white sand, with islands, caves and unexpected views are still a powerful draw today. It is difficult…

  • Lankidden Cove

    This hidden cove is best reached via a hike along the coast path from Kennack Sands over a mile away. This ensures that it is always quiet and more often than not…

  • Leggan Cove

    Leggan cove is a little known beach situated on the sheltered eastern side of the Lizard Peninsula. It sits between two quarries at Dean Point and Porthoustock,…

  • Loe Beach

    Sheltered sand and shingle beach which is fairly safe for swimming although the beach is better known for watersports. Good fishing can be had from off the rocks…

  • Loe Bar Beach

    Loe Bar is made up of 2 parts; The Loe, which is the largest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall and the Bar, a half mile shingle bank which separates the Loe from…

  • Maenporth Beach

    The gently sloping beach has shallow water and rockpools with plenty of marine life to explore making it a good choice for families with children. At low water…

  • Men-aver Beach

    Positioned about half a mile east of Gillan and running to Parbean, Men-aver Beach is part of a series of small coves and beaches and is set beneath Lestwoder Cliff.…

  • Mullion Cove

    The rugged little Victorian harbour at Mullion Cove is home to a diminutive stretch of beach. Set within the harbour walls this is both a stunning and unusual location.…

  • Pentreath Beach

    Just a little way from Kynance Cove, on the western side of the Lizard Peninsula, this westerly facing spot is exposed to the full Atlantic swell. The beach is…

  • Poldhu Cove

    Poldhu Cove is one of the most popular beaches on the Lizard Peninsula. Partly because it is less remote than many, but also because it is fantastic, sandy family…

  • Polgwidden Cove

    Polgwidden Cove is situated at the foot of the valley in which Trebah Gardens lie. The beach is privately owned but open to the public. However, access is somewhat…

  • Polnare Cove

    Nare Point stands guard to the mouth of the Helford River with views out towards Falmouth Bay and back along the Lizard Peninsula. Tucked away on the eastern side…

  • Polpeor Cove

    A tiny beach situated just to the right of Lizard Point. The cove is dominated by the Old Lizard Lifeboat Station. The sand is dark grey and coarse and the beach…

  • Polurrian Cove

    Polurrian Cove is located just beyond the headland to the north of the little harbour at Mullion Cove. It is definitely worth making the walk/climb up this headland…

  • Ponsence Cove

    The secluded little cove of Ponsence is hidden away on the most remote southern banks of the Helford estuary. Backed by the ancient woodlands of the Bosahan estate…

  • Porth Sawsen Beach

    Porth Sawsen is a little known beach on the northern shore of the picturesque Helford River. A backdrop of trees and fields lead down to this sheltered cove with…

  • Porthallack Beach

    Porthallack is the situated on the northern banks of the Helford River. It is the closest beach to the river mouth, which also possibly qualifies it as being one…

  • Porthallow Beach

    Porthallow was once a busy fishing village with a thriving pilchard fleet. In fact the local pub (which overlooks the beach) is named the "Five Pilchards". Today…

  • Porthkerris Cove

    This mid-sized beach is tucked away on the more sheltered eastern side of the Lizard between Porthallow and Porthoustock beaches. With its covering of pebbles it…

  • Porthleven Beach

    There is a sandy beach beyond the harbour wall that stretches all the way to Looe Bar at lower tides. Swimming can be particularly risky at low tide and when the…

  • Porthoustock Beach

    Porthoustock beach is located on the more sheltered eastern side of the Lizard peninsula a couple of miles from the village of St Keverne. Towards high tide the…

  • Portscatho Beach

    Set in Porscatho village this mainly rocky beach overlooks Gerrans Bay on the lovely Roseland peninsula. At low tide there is a fair sized sandy patch, which on…

  • Rinsey Cove

    The National Trust owned Rinsey Cove is positioned in the lee of Rinsey head, between Praa Sands and Porthleven. It is fairly remote and somewhat off the beaten…

  • St Anthony In Meneage Beach

    Small beach on Gillan Creek. Good centre for boating and both sail and motor boats can be hired from the shop above the beach.

  • Sunny Cove

    Situated below the coast path between Swanpool beach in Falmouth and Maenporth Beach is this small sandy cove. Whilst this cove probably isn't any sunnier than…

  • Swanpool Beach

    This popular cove is located on the outskirts of Falmouth, around a mile and a half from the town centre. Swanpool is a beach with something for everyone from families…