Portreath Beach

  • Portreath beach - West
    © Cornwall Beaches
  • portreath-air
  • portreath-shorebreak
  • Portreath Beach
  • Portreath Beach and Harbour
  • Portreath Panorama
  • Portreath Surf
  • The Vortex
  • Last updated:

    A mostly sand (with a little shingle below the shoreline) beach set in a steep valley. To the western end of the beach are high cliffs and another smaller cove which is separated by the high tide.

    The other end of the beach is bounded by a granite wall which protects the narrow historic harbour. Once a busy port, importing coal and exporting copper, the harbour is now only home to a few fishing boats. It is well worth taking a walk along the quayside to look at the perilous harbour mouth which ships once sailed through.

    On the left hand side, the beach has a small stream running down to the sea.A few hundred metres off the coast is the huge Gull Rock, which as the name suggests is something of a haven for seabirds of all kinds.

    Portreath is a popular family beach which, like many beaches on the north Cornish coast, is attracts surfers and in particular bodyboarders. The beach backs onto the small town offering most facilities including several shops, toilets and cafés.

    There is a well equipped recently built surf life saving club right on the beach adding to the surfie feel!

    Type of beach

    Sandy

    Lifeguard service

    Full lifeguard service in the Summer (19 May to 30 September)

    Dogs friendly beach?

    Seasonal dog ban. Dogs not allowed on beach from 1st July to 31st August / 10am to 6pm

    dog friendly beaches »

    Disabled access

    Access to the beach via ramp at harbour end of car park. Some designated disabled parking spaces in the beachfront car park. Both adult and child sand chairs available from Portreath Surf Life Centre - 01209 842746

    Postcode

    TR16 4PH

    OS grid ref.

    SW 6545 4527

    Facilities

    Toilets, including disabled facilities, first aid post, lost child centre, café, restaurant, shops and surf life-saving club.

    Parking

    There is a reasonably large privately owned car park right on the beach

    Awards

    Blue Flag Award

    Portreath Beach Reviews (3)

    Childhood memory

    Anthony

    Jul 21st 2023

    I remember a family holiday at Portreath. I was 9 years old, it was 53 years ago. I remember a stream on the beach going to the sea. I remember the big rock. I took lots of pictures but sadly over time they have been lost. I remember being very happy there.

    Jul 29th 2022

    I visited this beach twice whist on holiday this July, its just great, safe clean and the best beach I have ever been on, Going to be back on the beach next year!! Roll on Summer 2023!!

    Great beach

    R77

    Feb 12th 2022

    Have lived in Cornwall all my life. For obvious reasons have visited Portreath beach a lot, family trips from when I was little and even brought my children here. Clubs etc. still use the beach with my dogs and friends. Always clean. It’s a good family place.
    We do miss the arcade and the shop where you could pick up the things you had forgotten to bring!

    Show all 3 reviews