Nanjizal Beach

  • Nanjizal
    © Cornwall Beaches
  • Nanjizel Coast
  • Nanjizal Beach
  • Song of the Sea - Nanjizal
    © Cornwall Beaches
  • Nanjizel beach - low tide
    © Cornwall Beaches
  • Nanjizel beach - sand
    © Cornwall Beaches
  • Due to its relative inaccessibility, Nanjizal (or Nanjizel) has remained more or less untouched and never gets busy. Most of the people you will see here are walkers doing the coast path.

    Situated at the end of a short, shallow valley, the beach is a pretty boulder strewn cove with unusually clear water. The beach used to be much more sandy but after storms around 20 years ago much of it was washed away - it does, however, appear to be coming back. There are an abundance of caves and interesting rock formations for those not content with taking in the view. 

    Nanjizal is also a good spot for seal watching, particularly round the corner at Zawn Reeth.

    One of the most striking features of Nanjizel is the chasm of Zawn Peggy directly opposite on the cliffs at Higher Bosistow.

    The beach had a brief moment of fame in 1966 when Doctor Who's The Smugglers episodes were filmed here.

    Also known as:

    Mill Bay, Nanjizel

    Type of beach

    Sandy

    Lifeguard service

    No lifeguard cover

    Dogs friendly beach?

    Dogs allowed all year

    dog friendly beaches »

    Postcode

    TR19 7AA

    OS grid ref.

    SW 3580 2358

    Nanjizal Beach Reviews (12)

    A remote gem

    7 foot Studio

    Jun 18th 2020

    Don’t go, you’ll hate it and it’s my beach anyway :D

    Stunning natural wonder

    Oct 02nd 2021

    I’m not sure what the negative reviews are about as this “secret” beach was never intended for the public many years ago. Since its discovery, it’s become more known. If you’re not into cliffs, rocks, gaves and coves, this place isn’t for you. Its not a sandy tropical beach kind of place but its beautiful in its own natural right. Although it is quite rocky on 1 side there is plenty of sand on the other, especially when the tide is out, and you can walk into the caves too. It’s best to go when the tide is out to get the best views and use of the beach, cave and coves. We parked at Land’s End and walked for 20 minutes past the farm. The views on the walk are breathtaking. We stopped off a few times to take photos along the way. There was a short walk that was quite scary as it was along the edge of the cliff, so if you are scared about heights, this walk probably isn’t for you and you may want to try walking over from the other side (Penzance). Along the cliff egde, you can see other caves in the distance along the cliff edge. It’s pretty fascinating to see. When we finally got to Nanjizal cove and beach, there are a few big rocks you have to get over, which may be a struggle for very young children and elders but there were toddlers there and older people who managed to clamber onto the calmer part of the beach. i wore my swimsuit under my clothes as Ibwas adamant to have a cold wild water dip in the crystal clear cove section. It was stunning!! therr must have been no more than 4 or 5 small groups of people on the beach, so it wasn’t over populated at all. We really enjoyed exploring the natural wonders of this part of Cornwall

    Lovely spot

    Alex

    Jun 03rd 2021

    Whenever I go I’m not sure if I should go down to it or just look at it from the top, beautiful spot, can get busy due to the “secret beach” title, its not a secret, just a bit of a walk and it’s well worth it, no loo no cafe, no bins, so go prepared and take your rubbish back, it’s crystal clear water is something else, big boulders, rock pools caves, holes to swim through, high or low tide it’s beautiful, though high tide does take the sand away so bare that in mind, we’ll worth a visit to the loo less, bin less, cafeless, sometimes sandless beach with stunning views no matter which way you walk in.

    a jewel

    emma

    Apr 27th 2021

    beautiful sandy beautiful h with an amazing cave to swim through .
    The water was so blue and clear

    Beware of the Rip Tides

    Jon

    Jul 07th 2022

    This is a lovely picturesque place to visit.  It is not suitable for those with accessibility issues or people with buggies as the beach is accessed by a wooden staircase.  I unfortunately got caught in a rip current and thankfully got out.  There are no warning signs or emergency phone (mobiles do not work there).  There is a life preserver.  So beware if you are going, supervise children or dogs.  If you do that you should have a lovely time!

    Robinson

    Gail

    May 01st 2021

    Lots of memories asa child at this beach , many a time been there love the caves

    Stunning

    Caz 1

    Jul 05th 2019

    Absolutely beautiful, seals came right in shore
    One of those spots on our planet that is so special

    Loved it

    Phoebe Taylor

    Oct 20th 2022

    Went to visit the beach as I’m a big doctor who fan and also wanted to see the beautiful cove and its stunning views it’s safe to say it did not disappoint and Evan got to see a seal pup down in a rock pool amazing.

    Optional

    Optional

    Sep 16th 2022

    Amazing was not optional.

    Superb remote beach with no facilities

    Barry

    Sep 01st 2022

    Stunning spot, my new favourite beach.

    Don’t go if you need toilets, cafes, crowds, buggy access, can’t manage a mile walk from the various parking locations.

    DO go if you love crystal clear water, soft sand, rocks and rock pools, caves, places to jump into the sea from, fantastic snorkelling, seals.

    Best if the wind is in the east, and at low tide. At high tide there’s little sand at all, so don’t blame the beach for having no sand if you go there at high tide. Tide tables are online and very predictable.

    Simon

    Aug 03rd 2022

    Parked at Porthgwarra and walked the coastal path. I read somewhere that it was a 30 minute walk, with kids, inappropriate footwear and beach gear it was 1 hour and 20 minutes. The beach was no kynance cove, Cornwall has loads of nice beaches but for me this wasn’t one of them. We did take a more direct route back to the car which took 45 minutes.

    Tricky to get to

    Joanne

    Sep 10th 2020

    Very little sand . Not good for families.

    Show all 12 reviews