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Beaches on The Roseland

Pendower Beach, Roseland, Cornwall

Beaches on The Roseland, Cornwall

Please always check tides before going to the beach – most beaches on the Roseland are reduced to a narrow sliver of sand at high tides. You will find tide timetables in most properties, but if not, they are widely and freely available. Always check the state of the tides, arriving at a beach to find it entirely flooded is a dire disappointment to children and adults alike!

 

St Mawes and the Roseland has a number of good beaches. On the Carrick Roads side (facing Falmouth) they are mostly pebbly, but this is where you will find the evening sun and the most protected beaches. From St Anthony Head and up the east coast of the peninsula the beaches are sandy, and the morning sun is glorious, but they can be a little more exposed with certain wind directions.

The wind is also something you should pay attention to! Check out our weather forecast page for an idea of wind directions. If the wind is over 10mph (8 knots) and the beach is exposed, you might find it a little uncomfortable, The great thing about beaches on the Roseland is that there is pretty much a beach for every wind direction. If you can find the protected ones, they are total sun traps! We have listed the appropriate wind direction for each beach along with its description.

PLEASE NOTE that tide movements around the Roseland are strong, and that the tide can come in much faster than most people expect. Every year holidaymakers in Cornwall face dangerous situations because this is not kept in mind. The currents can run hard, and small children and dogs must never be left unattended. There are no lifeguards on any of the Roseland beaches.

Summers Beach, St Mawes
Ideal with northerly, easterly (particularly protected) or southerly winds and avoid when the wind is in the west or blowing straight into the bay. Summers is the main beach in St Mawes and can get very busy during the peak season. Access is via a large set of steps or a slipway from Tredenham Road. This slipway is actually public so you can launch small craft directly from the beach. The beach is mostly pebbles which can make it uncomfortable for sitting on, but thankfully, there are some large concrete steps / cliff protection which can be used. The rock pools here for kids are excellent with plenty for them to explore. No dogs in summer.

Pendower & Carne Beaches, Veryan
The largest beach in the area is Pendower/Carne, which forms one long beach at low tide. There is fine sand at the Carne (easterly) end, where the swimming is best, and a little coarser at the Pendower end, where swimmers and dog owners should pay attention to undercurrents. There are wonderful paddling opportunities for small children at Carne by low tide, while at high tide this part of the beach is almost totally flooded. The Nare Hotel (Carne end, 01872 501 279) overlooks the sea and is open to non-residents. Unfortunately, it appears that the Pendower Beach Hotel is still closed and it looks like it is going to be redeveloped. There is a car park at either end, with public toilets in both car parks. Dogs on leads only from May 1st between 9AM and 6PM. 

Porthcurnick Beach, Portscatho
Superb in a northerly breeze when it is totally protected. Not a bad place to be with the wind in the west. Avoid in an easterly when it is very exposed. Porthcurnick Beach near Portscatho has lovely fine sand and excellent swimming at low tide plus great rock pools for the kids to explore. Park at Portscatho main car park (paying) on the cliffs and follow the footpath east. You can drive to Rosevine and park on the side of the road by the beach (limited space). There is a little beach shop and cafe which is open during the peak season. Dogs are allowed, but not necessarily popular with swimmers.