Beaches near Falmouth

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

The beach guide has 20 beaches listed in and around the town of Falmouth.

Gyllyngvase Beach

Good family beach, with life guard cover during the summer months. The gently sloping white sand also has plenty of rock pools to explore at low tide with shrimps, crabs and squat lobsters in abundance. This is the largest…
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 to naturalists (but possibly not naturists!). Swanpool…
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 and child friendly beaches in Falmouth although there are many…
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 anywhere else it does have a southerly aspect and is sheltered…
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 the ship wreck of the Ben Asdale can be seen, while marine activities…
Great Molunan & Little Molunan Beach

The series of coves that are the Molunans are tucked away in the shelter of St Anthony Head with its lighthouse standing guard over the entrance to the Carrick Roads. Across the water are views to Pendennis Castle and Falmouth…
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 particularly at dawn and dusk and small boats can also be…
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 of the point is Polnare Cove, a tiny sand and shingle beach.…
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. Made up of sand and shingle with rocky ledges at low tide,…
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 of the remotest spots on the river. Access is only possible…
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 its boathouse. The beach itself consists of small flat slate…
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 way so there is rarely a crowd at Grebe. Grebe beach is a…
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 by the National Trust) Durgan overlooks the Helford river with…
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.
Gillan Harbour Beach

Small sandy cove. Popular place for small boats and yachts. Close to the Helford Estuary.
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 nearby Flushing Cove has a rather secluded feel. If you see…
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 this is the most easterly of a trio of beautiful little…
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 gem' is bandied around quite frequently, Bosahan Cove truly fits the…
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 convoluted unless entering through Trebah Gardens. It is…
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 Boat Inn, a huddle of cottages and dinghies and boats of all…

Falmouth

Falmouth came to prominence in the sixteenth century when Pendennis Castle was built. Later the following century, it became the base for the Falmouth Packets which carried mail to America. Much earlier than this, the main town of the area was neighbouring Penryn. There is a regular ferry crossing from Falmouth to St Mawes, on the opposite side of the bay, and St Mawes Castle is the twin to Pendennis. During the summer months, there are various other boating trips available and plenty of estuaries and creeks to explore. Jacob’s Ladder is a flight of 111 steps leading from the Moor, Falmouth’s old town square. From the top there is a great view of the town and harbour. There are plenty of eating places in Falmouth, but it does not have the over-developed feeling of many other holiday resorts. The beaches to the south of the town are great for families. Swanpool Beach is probably the best for swimming. A little further in the same direction is the estuary of the River Helford.

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Falmouth top beaches

Flushing Cove