Visit Falmouth Beaches

Falmouth is surrounded by refreshing open spaces perfect for picnicking, playing and exploring. Plus, you never know, there is always the possibility of catching a glimpse of our most recent Cornish monster, ‘Morgawr’.
There are four main beaches in and around Falmouth and if you want to avoid sand in your picnic then there are several equally beautiful public gardens and green areas.
If you are feeling energetic and enjoy a reasonably level walk then it is possible to follow the coastal path from Castle Beach to Maenporth Beach in one day. At low tide, it is possible to follow the rocks and for the more experienced coasteering is an option.

Castle Beach

Nestled in a corner of Falmouth’s headland under the watchful eye of Pendennis castle is the sheltered and pretty Castle Beach. This is a real family beach enjoyed by many locals. At low tide rockpools and WW2 submarines are exposed creating a wealth of exploration opportunities while the remaining sandy areas are perfect for sitting and admiring the stunning view of the bay. During summer months, this beach is perfect for watching all the regatta racing and there is always the chance a pod of dolphins will pass by.

There is limited roadside parking above the beach with a slipway for launching kayaks, canoes and dinghy’s. Toilets are open from Easter through to October and are supervised by the beach cafe. Castle Beach Cafe is open during the Summer months, (please check their site for opening times), offering hot and cold food and drinks, ice-cream, beach equipment, toys and beach hut hire.
At low tide, it is possible to walk along the beach and rocks on to Gyllyngvase Beach or, at high tide, along the footpath above the beach.

Gyllyngvase Beach

Very popular among visitors to Falmouth, this award winning beach is crescent shaped and always sandy. Situated close to the road and adjacent to a large car-park this is an easy access beach for the disabled. There is a ‘Sand Chair’, available to assist with entering the water and maneuvering on the beach. Please call (01326)312884 in advance as booking is essential.
The beach is blue flag status, recognised for water quality, environmental qualities and facilities. RNLI Lifeguards operate between May and September and are easily identifiable from their central location.

The Council run toilets are open all year round and regularly checked. The ‘Gylly Beach’, cafe, also open all year round, offers a diverse menu plus regular evening entertainment. During summer months, ice-creams and beach equipment can be purchased from a kiosk run by the beach cafe. ‘Gylly’, beach is the only beach in Falmouth to offer the popular activity of paddle boarding that is managed by Wesup Paddleboarding Centre based on the beach.
From the beach, you can explore the adjacent Queen Mary Gardens that were opened in 1912 to commemorate the Queen’s coronation. The garden is well stocked with tropical and native plants. The magnificent Gunnera are popular among the children for hiding among although be warned there are marshy ponds beneath most of them!
From the gardens or the beach you can follow a coastal footpath on to Swanpool beach admiring the truly stunning views along the way.

Swanpool Beach

What Swanpool beach lacks in size it more than makes up for with shelter, view and entertainment. A mix of sand and shingle with plenty of low and high rocks for kids big and small to practise their rock climbing. This beach is not patrolled by lifeguards however, along with Castle beach, it is one of the safest beaches for swimming.

This is also the home base for Elemental UK watersports center. With plenty of watersport activities and trained instructors available to coach you. The layout of the cove makes it the ideal location for novice rowers and windsurfers to build up their confidence while more experienced sea goers can explore further afield.

Maenporth Beach

Maenporth is another lovely beach near Falmouth to explore and picnic on. Stunning views and sandy shores make this a perfect beach for everyone.
There are rockpools to explore and rock faces to traverse and when the tide is low the wreck of the freezer trawler, ‘Ben Asdale’, to discover.

A salt water stream running through the beach ensures that even when the tide takes the sea far out there is somewhere for you to paddle. Younger children will spend hours building dams in the stream, a skill that is passed on through the generations here in Cornwall! Plus, look out for the spooky cave!
‘Lifes a Beach’, cafe is well stocked with beach toys and equipment, a varied menu and a huge ice-cream menu!
At the end of a busy beach day, you can watch the evening draw in from the setting of, ‘The Cove Bar & Restaurant‘. Situated directly behind the beach this well-known restaurant has a menu packed full of local Cornish produce with an ever-changing specials menu.
The beach is accessible via the coastal footpath taken from Swanpool beach, by road and there are buses available from Falmouth Moor.
Charged parking is available on the beach and during busier seasons spaces are made available on land opposite the beach.
Toilets are situated behind the cafe adjacent to the beach.
There is no lifeguard in operation on this beach.

NB Visit Falmouth want you to have a great time exploring our coastline but please remember to always check the tide times before heading off, carry a phone and let someone know where you are going. The sea is beautiful but unpredictable too.