Best for: pleasing the crowd

This soft-sand haven is affectionately known as Mother Meor
among Cornwall natives, so central is the beach to local childhood
memories. Situated below the Tate St Ives, a four-minute walk from
the town centre, it’s prime territory for those who want to make
the most of the area’s many attractions. Ease of access means that
summer days on the sandy stretch are busy, but with a sea view so
pretty, it’s worth joining the crowds, and with Porthmeor Beach
Café and West bar and café located right on the sand, you won’t
have to stray far from your towel for lunch. Porthmeor has a fairly
exposed beach break, so swing by St Ives Surf
School to rent boards and wetsuits, sign up for lessons or just
pick up some tips.

Best for: wildlife watching

Encircled by cliffs, the small cove of Porthcurno offers some of
Cornwall’s most dramatic, and beautiful, landscapes: smooth, green
hillsides crumble down towards the sea, and soft sands with a
scallop-pink hue fringe brilliantly blue waters. This is a mecca
for dolphins, so keep your eyes on the waves. Between the bobbing
heads of seals, you might see a fin or two. Too large to be a
dolphin? Basking sharks are also regularly spotted around here.
Come evening, shake off the sand and head over to the open-air
Minack
Theatre. Built into the cliff, it’s one of the best places from
which to watch the sunset, and in summer runs a schedule of events
and shows.

Best for: pro surfing

Located just up the coast from the UK’s most southern tip,
Land’s End, Sennen Cove faces the full force of the Atlantic Ocean,
making it one of Cornwall’s hottest surf spots. The beach is a
1.6km-long stretch of sun-bleached sand backed by undulating dunes,
and swells here are some of the heaviest in the UK, so be wary if
you’re new to the board. Less keen to hit the rollers? Skip the
surf and head over to the Old Success Inn’s terrace to scoff fish and
chips and enjoy a St Austell beer while watching the pros at
work.

Best for: families

Sheltered in St Ives Bay, Porthminster enjoys gentler waters
than its big brother Porthmeor, making it the perfect beach pit
stop for families situated in the seaside town. Hit up St Ives Watersports to grab paddleboards and
kayaks, then ride the waves to see the famous seaside resort from a
whole new perspective. Afterwards, take a table at Porthminster
Restaurant to refuel. Plan your dinner around the spring tide
and you’ll be able to walk from the beach to the harbour front
without having to leave the sand. If you’re travelling from outside
St Ives, we’d recommend parking up at St Erth railway station and
catching the train in; it’s one of the UK’s most scenic rail
routes.

Best for: postcard-perfect looks

There’s a reason you’ll have seen this sandy stretch on every
must-see list ever made about Cornwall: it’s a beach cliché of
golden sands and turquoise waters. Inevitably, Kynance Cove draws
the crowds in summer, but there’s plenty of space to explore
between the serpentine, black rock stacks and islands. This is a
beach for the adventurous, accessible only on foot via a rocky
path, and dotted with sea caves, natural arches and rock pools.
It’s also tidal and there are no lifeguards, so be wary of the
water cutting off access twice a day. If you’re uninclined to
clock-watch, you might want to find a different place to
sun-bask.

Best for: dogs (and their owners)

Pooch owners know that finding a dog-friendly beach in summer is
as difficult as uncovering the legendary smugglers’ bounty
allegedly scattered along the Cornish coast, but in Bamaluz Beach,
we’ve hit gold. Often overlooked by visitors, this pocket-sized
patch of sand is a local treasure. Find it between St Ives Harbour
and Porthgwidden Beach, right below St Ives
Museum, where steep steps lead down to the water’s edge. If
you’re struggling, follow the joyful yaps carried on sea
breezes.

Best for: stargazing

Marazion isn’t the classic Cornish beach – unlike most, the
waves lapping at its shores are shallow and small, thanks to an
unexpected wave breaker. Gazing out towards St Michael’s Mount, a
tidal island and civil parish located in the middle of the bay,
this is a beach ideally positioned for lazy admiration of the
picturesque scene. Arrive at low tide to access the castle, gardens
and island community via a causeway, or take stock and enjoy the
view if the waters are in. While beautiful on a balmy summer’s day,
at night the scene is a real breathtaker: when dusk falls, a
twinkling celestial show backdrops the island, the result of the
area’s low light pollution.

Best for: winter walks (and cold-water
surfing)

Located on Cornwall’s south coast in the parish of Breage, just
between Penzance and Helston, this vast beach is a favourite with
local surfers in winter when the swell aligns with the wind to
create weighty blue rollers. Not keen on entering the 7ºC waves?
Stick to the sands. Reward yourself with a cold drink from The Boathouse after a power walk along the
1.6km-long beach.

Best for: au naturel sunbathing

If tan lines aren’t your thing, make a beeline for Porthzennor
Cove, a 10-minute drive south of St Ives. A little more rocky than
other spots on this list, it’s a less-visited beach only accessible
by the coast path and surrounded by the shaggy moorlands that
encircle the town of Zennor. This is a myth-imbued area made famous
by a folklore tale about a local mermaid. The isolation suits the
cove, which is also the south west coast’s unofficial naturist
beach.

Best for: rockpooling

Hidden away in the rugged cliffs to the west of Praa Sands, this
blink-and-you’ll-miss-it inlet is one of those places you don’t
quite believe is in the UK – its shallow waters and cascading rocks
could just as easily be in Croatia. Sheltered and small, Prussia
Cove feels a little liminal: you’ll pass tumbledown fishing huts
beside the path descending to the beach and, on the vast, flat
rocks that stretch out into the sea, see visible deep grooves – all
that remains of a former seaweed harvesting industry. The tracks
were made by carts used to haul the harvest out of the water.
Today, visitors fling down sorbet-coloured towels onto these
sun-warmed rocks. Be warned: because it’s so small, Prussia Cove
quickly fills up in summer.