A guide to lifeguard cover on Cornwall's beaches.

Every effort is made to keep this beach guide up to date but there have been so many changes this year that we can't guarantee it.

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Constantine Bay Beach

Padstow Cornwall

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Constantine Bay Beach in North Cornwall is a beautiful spot with long curve of golden sands, rock pools and is very popular with surfers. Constantine Bay lies about 3 miles out of Padstow in the direction of Newquay and is lifeguarded in the summer months. There are toilets (unsure of seasonal and daily opening times) and a shop in Constantine Bay village itself. Constantine Bay is a dog friendly beach in Cornwall all year and there are no seasonal dog restrictions. If you fancy a walk you can access the Coast Path. There is some parking at Constantine although not very much, an alternative is to park at Treyarnon Bay and walk along the Coast Path to Constantine Beach about a 10 to 15 minute walk (although the car park here can get full on busy days).

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Crantock Beach

Newquay Cornwall

A beautiful large sandy beach in North Cornwall which is popular with beachgoers, families, surfers and bodyboarders. At low tide there are plenty of rock pools filled with life to investigate. Facilities are good with toilets, cafes and hire facilities and two car parks. Access to the beach is through steep dunes and can be difficult particularly for push chairs. A dog friendly beach all year. Crantock beach is lifeguarded in the summer season

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Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Fistral Beach

Newquay Cornwall

Fistral Beach Newquay, the most famous Beach in Cornwall. An immense stretch of golden Cornish sands pounded by the famous Fistral break. Fistral beach is popular with surfers, beachgoers, families and dogs as this North Cornwall beach is dog friendly all year. International surfing events are regularly held here including Boardmasters, the Quicksilver Skins, the UK Pro Surf Tour and the BUSA Championships. Excellent facilities with shops, cafe, hire shops, toilets, showers and surf lessons. Long season of lifeguard cover. More about Newquay Cornwall

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Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Great Western Beach

Newquay Cornwall

One of the Newquay town beaches situated between Towan and Tolcarne beaches in North Cornwall. A sheltered sandy beach backed by cliffs popular with families and learner surfers due to the smaller surf. Mostly covered at high tide. Cornish cliffs make Great Western beach shady in the morning. There are toilets, a cafe and beach paraphernalia hire. Lifeguarded over the summer season. Read more about Newquay Cornwall

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Harbour Beach Newquay

Newquay Cornwall

A small sandy beach known as a sun trap in the centre of Newquay. This is a working harbour and boats are arriving with their daily catch so the beach can be slightly littered with the unwanted fish. Maybe better to explore than to sit. A dog friendly beach all year. Watch out for the Newquay Fish Festival held here every year. A 5/10 minute walk from Newquay town centre, accessed via steep steps. No lifeguards. Read more about Newquay Cornwall

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: no

Holywell Bay Beach

Newquay Cornwall

Holywell Bay is a large expanse of golden Cornish sand accessed through and backed by sand dunes. At low tide Holywell Cave with calcium deposits can be seen and the wreck of an old Argentinian coaster can be seen just offshore. Toilets, shops and pub nearby. Read more about Newquay Cornwall Lifeguarded in the summer season. Dog friendly beach all year.

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Little Fistral

Newquay Cornwall

Little Fistral is a small sand and rock beach backed by steep cliffs just to the north of the famous Fistral beach in Newquay Cornwall Little Fistral is only accessible at low tide. There are facilities including toilets, showers, cafe, and parking (although parking is expensive) at nearby Fistral beach which is about a ten minute walk away. Little Fistral is not lifeguarded, nearby Fistral beach is. Little Fistral is a dog friendly beach and dogs are allowed all year.

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: no

Lusty Glaze Beach

Newquay Cornwall

One of the four town centre Newquay Cornwall beaches, Lusty Glaze is a small sandy cove popular with families. The Adventure Centre is here and is a hive of beach activity hiring out surfboards and body boards, making the sea busy with sea and surf activities. There are steep steps down to this cove and high cliffs frame the beach. Lots of activities are on offer with beach volley ball, festivals and events throughout the year and the National Lifeguard Training Centre. Lusty Glaze Beach Newquay is about a 2 minute drive or 15 minute walk from Newquay centre. There are good facilities with a Cafe, restaurant, toilets, beach huts and Newquay centre nearby. Lifeguarded in the summer season. Dog ban applies 1st June until 30th September.

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Mawgan Porth Beach

Nr Newquay and Padstow Cornwall

Mawgan Porth is a beautiful West facing large golden sand beach backed by grassy dunes and cliffs and with rock pools to explore. The perfect setting for a day on the beach in Cornwall. Mawgan Porth is situated between Newquay and Padstow . Popular with surfers, beach goers and dogs. The facilities in the village of Mawgan Porth are good with plenty of places for food and drinks and the beach is lifeguarded in the summer season. Mawgan Porth is a dog friendly beach in Cornwall all year.

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Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Newquay Beaches

Newquay Cornwall

Newquay has many beaches to choose from, each offering something different from calm seas with golden Cornish sandy beaches to busy surf spots with a buzzing atmosphere. Read more about Newquay Cornwall

Many of the Newquay beaches are dog friendly beaches all year and most are lifeguarded in the summer season.

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Perran Sands Beach

Perranporth Cornwall

Perran Sands Cornwall is a continuation from the golden Cornish sands of Perranporth and the main beach for the large Haven caravan site on top of the cliffs (a steep walk up). Golden sands are backed by steep Cornish cliffs. The beach is popular with families, surfers and beach goers. A cafe in summer but other facilities are found at the Haven site or in Perranporth itself. Lifeguards in the summer season. Read more about Perranporth Cornwall

Please be aware that adders can be about in the dunes / grass behind the beach and their bites can be fatal to dogs. Best to keep dogs on leads and keep your eyes on the ground.

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Perranporth Beach

Perranporth Cornwall

Perranporth is an amazing three mile long stretch of golden Cornish sand fringed by sand dunes and enjoyed by families, beach goers and very popular with surfers. There are lots of benches overlooking the beach for those who wish to sit and take in the scenery. The Perranporth sea can be unpredictable with very strong currents, speak to the lifeguards before entering. Excellent facilities. Lifeguarded over the summer season. Perranporth is a dog friendly beach but dogs must be on a lead from 10am-5pm in July and August. Read more about Perranporth Cornwall

Please be aware that adders can be about in the dunes / grass behind the beach and their bites can be fatal to dogs. Best to keep dogs on leads and keep your eyes on the ground.

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Porth Beach

Newquay Cornwall

One of the many beaches at Newquay Cornwall , Porth Beach is a sandy family beach. The rocks on either side of Porth make this a sheltered cove and more sheltered from the swell than the other Newquay beaches and there is no surfing allowed when the lifeguards are on duty and so good for families and swimmers. Porth Beach is about a five minute drive from Newquay centre - there is parking across from the beach or a 25-30 minute walk from Newquay centre. Access to Porth beach is via an unmade path. There are beach toilets and cafes. Lifeguarded over the summer season. Dog Ban applies Easter Day - 1st October

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Porthcothan Bay Beach

Nr Padstow and Newquay Cornwall

Porthcothan Bay is situated between Padstow and Newquay Cornwall and is a sandy beach which is north west-facing. The nearest village is St Merryn which is a ten minute drive away. The beach is backed by grass dunes on which people enjoy setting up camp for the day and sunbathing. Surfers enjoy Porthcothan. Porthcothan Bay is lifeguarded in the summer months from late May until Sept. There is paid for parking, a small shop and toilets (unsure of seasonal and daily opening times). Porthcothan is a dog friendly beach in Cornwall all year, there is no seasonal dog ban.

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Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Sandy banks of the River Gannel

Newquay Cornwall

The banks of the tidal estuary the river Gannel are a haven for birds where many shelter in the winter. The passenger ferry to Fern Pit and Crantock beach can be caught from here in summer. Nearby Newquay Cornwall has good facilities. Read more about Newquay Cornwall. Dog friendly beach.

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: no

Tolcarne Beach

Newquay Cornwall

A family favourite and popular with surfers, Tolcarne beach Newquay Cornwall is a large sandy beach backed by cliffs with a beach shop, eateries, beach huts for hire and toilets. One of the four town centre Newquay beaches Tolcarne is found at the Northern end of Newquay about a 10 minute walk from Newquay centre. There is little parking at the beach so take advantage of town centre parking. Hanging over the beach you will see the suspension bridge crossing from the mainland to the private rock island with a house on it looking like the perfect setting for a horror movie. Lifeguarded over the summer season. Dog restrictions 1st May until 30th September when dogs are allowed on Tolcarne beach early mornings and in the evenings

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Towan Beach

Newquay Cornwall

Towan Beach is a good family sandy beach as there are restrictions on surfing in the summer and it is sheltered and has a seawater pool. Popular with surfers when restrictions don't apply. Set in Newquay centre it can get busy. Towan Beach is backed by a sea wall and the tide covers beach at high tide. There is a grassy area overlooking the beach for those who prefer grass to sand. The beach is found in front of the Sealife Centre and to the side of Towan Island and suspension bridge. Good facilities nearby. Lifeguarded over the summer season and at Easter. Read more about Newquay Cornwall. Towan Beach Newquay is a dog friendly beach all year.

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Treyarnon Bay Beach

Nr Newquay and Padstow Cornwall

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Treyarnon Bay lies between Padstow and Newquay and is a sandy cove which is popular with families and surfers. The beach is edged by cliffs and sand dunes and has rock pools to investigate. There is access to the Coast Path for those who fancy a walk or to simply take in the stunning views. The beach can get busy in the summer months and the car park can get full. There is a beach shop and toilets (unsure of seasonal and daily opening times). Sand Chair hire for the disabled is available at this beach phone the Youth Hotel Association on (01841) 520322 for more information about this. Treyaron Bay is a dog friendly beach in Cornwall all year, there are no seasonal dog restrictions. Lifeguard cover in the summer season.

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards:

Watergate Bay Beach

Newquay Cornwall

Slightly out of Newquay Cornwall (about a fifteen minute drive or hard walk of an hour) Watergate Bay Cornwall is a two mile stretch of golden Cornish sands. Popular with surfers, kite surfers, beachgoers and dogs as it is a dog friendly beach all year. Facilities are good with a couple of cafes, restaurants, beach shop, toilets and places to hire surf and beach equipment. Watergate Bay is home to the famous Fifteen restaurant set up by Jamie Oliver. Lifeguarded over the summer season. Read more about Newquay Cornwall

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: yes

Whipsiderry Beach

Newquay Cornwall

Sandy beach sat at the foot of the rocks. No facilities. A good 30 minute walk from Newquay centre. No parking. Facilities in Newquay Cornwall. We think this is a dog friendly beach all year - please check for signs.

Dogs Friendly Beach all year: yes

Seasonal Lifeguards: no