Cornwall is known for its stunning coastline and beautiful beaches. In fact, Cornwall has a total of nine beaches that have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag, an international certification that recognizes the high quality of the beach and the surrounding environment.
These Blue Flag beaches are a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy the natural beauty and cleanliness of Cornwall’s coastline. Here are the nine Blue Flag beaches to visit in Cornwall:
Fistral Beach, Newquay
Located in the popular holiday destination of Newquay, Fistral Beach is a Blue Flag beach that is popular with surfers and beachgoers alike. The beach has a mix of sand and shingle, and is backed by high cliffs and a golf course.
It is a great spot for surfers, with consistent swells and breaks that are suitable for both beginner and advanced surfers. The beach is also home to the annual Boardmasters surf and music festival, which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Porthtowan Beach, St Agnes
Porthtowan Beach is a Blue Flag beach located on the north coast of Cornwall, near the village of St Agnes. It’s a great beach for kids due to the rockpools and beachcombing opportunities, providing adventurous fun for all ages.
Make sure you have lunch at the Porthtowan beach cafe – it’s right on the beach so you can look out over the water while you eat.
Porthcurno Beach, Porthcurno
Porthcurno Beach is a Blue Flag beach located in the village of Porthcurno, on the south coast of Cornwall. The beach is also home to the famous Minack Theatre, an open-air amphitheatre that is carved into the cliffs above the beach.
Visit Porthcurno beach during the day and then explore the Minack Theatre for a true Cornish experience in just one day.
Watergate Bay Beach, Watergate Bay
Watergate Bay Beach, a Blue Flag beach backed by high cliffs, is located on the north coast of Cornwall, near the village of Watergate Bay.
The beach is where the Extreme Academy is located, which offers a range of water sports activities such as kitesurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and surfing.
Polzeath Beach, Polzeath
Polzeath Beach is a Blue Flag beach located on the north coast of Cornwall, near the village of Polzeath. The beach is known for its golden sands, it’s a popular spot for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing.
Try your hand at surfing by booking in a lesson at the Polzeath Surf School, which offers lessons and rentals for surfers of all levels.
Perranporth Beach, Perranporth
Perranporth Beach is a Blue Flag beach located on the north coast of Cornwall, near the village of Perranporth. The beach itself is a large, flat stretch of sand, perfect for beachcombing and swimming.
Like many other Cornish beaches, Perranporth Surf School also offers lessons and rentals for surfers of all levels. It’s also a dog-friendly beach all year round, however dogs must be kept on a short lead on the main beach from 10am – 5pm throughout July and August.
Praa Sands Beach, Praa Sands
Praa Sands Beach is a beautiful sandy Blue Flag beach located on the south coast of Cornwall, near the village of Praa Sands. It’s one of our favourite beaches with it’s lovely soft sand and great beach cafe.
The beach is also home to the Praa Sands Surf School, which, like most other Cornish beaches, offers lessons and rentals for surfers of all levels.
Gwithian Beach, Gwithian
Gwithian Beach is a Blue Flag beach located on the north coast of Cornwall, near the village of Gwithian. The beach is a small community with holiday homes and a couple of good eateries, and has the most spectacular sunsets.
Gwithian beach is usually much quieter than other beaches in the area, and is a good option if you’re staying in nearby St Ives and want to escape the crowds.
Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth
Gyllyngvase Beach is a Blue Flag beach located on the south coast of Cornwall, near the town of Falmouth. It’s less than a 10 minute walk to historic Falmouth’s town centre, and is Falmouth’s largest beach.
The fine crescent of sand arches around the bay, and is backed up by beautiful well kept gardens. There are lifeguards on duty making it very safe.
Blue Flag Beaches Galore in Cornwall
In addition to the beautiful beaches, Cornwall is also home to a variety of other attractions and activities, including stunning gardens, historic houses, and adventure sports such as rock climbing and coasteering.
Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, try your hand at surfing, or explore the natural beauty of Cornwall, there is something for everyone in this stunning county. So pack your beach bag and head to one of Cornwall’s Blue Flag beaches for a memorable and enjoyable holiday.
