Constantine Bay
Latitude 50.531762, Longitude -5.026073
On its day, one of the best surf beaches in Cornwall.
Located just to the south of Trevose Head and flanked by
Treyarnon Bay to the south and Boobies Bay to the north, it
can offer a beach, reef and point break when the sandbanks
are right.
Constantine is usually better from mid to high tide but the reef and point can both be good on the low tide. Off shore on a SE and E wind but can be good on a S or NE. Even high tide can be fun on a NW when everywhere else is poor.
The beach is lifeguarded in the silly season (May to September) and if you’re a beginner, or have young children, please be aware the rips can make this a dangerous bay especially when there’s a big swell or big tides. If you’re not sure, ask the locals or give us a call on 01841 520204 for advice.
Constantine is also a great family beach and activities can include fishing, rock pooling, kite flying and beach games. If you prefer going for a stroll then the walk up to the lighthouse at Trevose Head offers amazing views as far south as St Ives.
Amenities at Constantine include a small car park at the bottom of the hill with a field about 50 yards up on the right hand side providing extra spaces in the summer months; toilets in the car park and Tom’s Coastal Coffee which offers hot and cold drinks and light snacks. Apart from this, it is largely unspoilt.
As always, please treat the beach and locals with respect and leave it how you found it.
Boobies Bay
Latitude 50.534817, Longitude -5.02676
Situated in the shadow of Trevose Head and to the north of
Constantine, Boobies can offer a top class beachbreak from
mid to low to mid tide. More of an intermediate to advanced
evel of wave although can be ok for beginners when small.
Offshore on a SE and E wind and nicely sheltered on a NE
when you can tuck in undercover of the headland.
Another great beach for families to explore, the rock pools are full of species that will keep the kids happy for hours. Other activities include fishing, cowrie hunting and there’s plenty of room when the tides out for various beach games.
Boobies is lifeguarded in the silly season (May to September) and can be quite rippy so if you’re not sure, ask the locals or give us a call on 01841 520204 for advice.
Parking is very limited so best to park at Constantine and enjoy the 10 minute walk over the beach and pick your own pathway through the rocks.
There are no amenities at Boobies so go prepared and, as always, respect the beach and the locals and leave it as you found it.
Treyarnon Bay
Latitude 50.524123, Longitude -5.027103
A popular family beach with plenty to do for all ages. Generally
the waves aren’t as good as Constantine or Boobies but it can
be fun on the mid to high tide. Offshore on a SE and E wind
but can be ok on a S or NE. Can be quite rippy on the left
hand side of the beach and especially at low tide.
Treyarnon is lifeguarded in the silly season (May-Sept) but please ask the locals or give us a call on 01841 520204 for advice if in doubt.
One of the main attractions of Treyarnon is the natural pool located on the right hand side of the beach and accessible at mid to low tide. Perfect for snorkelling and rock pooling but be prepared to share!
Amenities at Treyarnon include the YHA which has a café/bar open from 10am to 10pm. Live music, a BBQ and watching the sunset can round off the perfect day.
A good size car park overlooks the beach but can be very busy in the school holidays. The shop in the car park, run by Gary and Wendy, provides basically everything you need inc newspapers, pasties, beach goods and groceries. You’ll probably get a joke thrown in for free!
Tom’s food van is also in the car park serving everything from breakfast rolls to pulled pork baps, hot and cold drinks and fish and chips on certain days.
Treyarnon is a special place so please respect the beach and the locals and leave it as you found it.
Harlyn Bay
Latitude 50.539399, Longitude -4.994831
One of the most popular beaches in the area due to its access,
parking and ability to provide surf for all levels.
Harlyn is surfable through all tides but is generally best from
mid to high tide. Offshore on S and SW wind, Harlyn is one of
the few breaks on the north coast that is best when everywhere
else is blown out.
Maybe best to avoid the big spring tides especially if there’s a big swell. Lifeguarded in silly season (May to September).
Located to the north of Trevose Head and sheltered from Atlantic swells, the surf at Harlyn is generally half the size of Constantine. During the summer when we get smaller swells, Harlyn is a haven for SUP’s, Kayaks, skimboarding and fishing. Species include mackerel, Pollack, bass and wrass and you can fish off the beach at night or the rocks either side.
Amenities at Harlyn include Food For Thought who provide everything from breakfasts to burgers, jacket potatoes to the best cheesy chips with seats overlooking the beach. Harlyn Surf School provide surf, SUP and kayak lessons from April to October and do a great job of looking after the kids if you want a couple of hours to yourself.
There is plenty of parking overlooking the beach and toilets are just over the road. On the real busy days ‘car park John’ will open up the other fields but get there early for the best spot.
The Harlyn Inn is just over the bridge from the beach providing refreshments after a busy day.
As always, respect the beach and the locals and leave it how you found it.
Porthcothan
Latitude 50.50906, Longitude -5.030193
Porthcothan is one of the quieter beaches in the area and also
one of the most beautiful. Situated to the south of Treyarnon,
the surf at Porthcothan is best on the low tide as the cliffs either
side of the beach tend to block the swell when the tide is high.
Although not renowned for its surf, if you get the right
sandbanks, it can be fun and generally not as busy as the
other beaches.
Offshore on a SE and E wind but still ok on a S or NE. Lifeguarded in silly season (May to September).
Porthcothan has a great deal to offer including amazing pools which are perfect for swimming and rock pooling. On the right tides, lagoons can form which are ideal for the kids to try out some snorkelling. Fishing can also be popular and wandering through the rocks and gully’s with a plug can produce mackerel and bass and, at night, the beach is worth a cast.
To the left of the main beach, there are caves and rock stacks which are perfect for exploring and further on, Trescore Island can be great for kayaking and SUP’ing round on a flat day.
Amenities at Porthcothan include a big car park across the road from the beach, toilets and a small shop providing beach goods and general groceries.
Porthcothan is one of the most unspoilt beaches in the area so please respect the beach and the locals and leave it as you found it.
Trevone Beach
Latitude 50.544199, Longitude -4.981098
Trevone is situated just to the north of Harlyn and is the closest
surf beach to Padstow. It can provide a quality wave mainly
from mid to low tide but occasionally on the high. Offshore on
a SE and E wind but also good on a S or NE. Trevone tends
to be 1-2ft bigger than Harlyn and watch out for the
sneaker sets!
Trevone is lifeguarded in the silly season (May to September) and is a great beach to go to if you have a family and you want to sneak off for a quick surf! Plenty of open beach on the low tide for various beach games, rock pools for crabbing and swimming, the blow hole up on the cliffs is worth a visit and, if you enjoy a stomp, the coast path to the north will take you to Padstow. To the left of the main beach is Rocky Beach where the kids can spend the day fishing and crabbing or swimming in the natural pool.
Amenities at Trevone are mainly provided by Graham. Graham’s surf and beach store, Graham’s café/restaurant, Graham’s coffee van on the beach, toilets and Graham’s car park all help to provide a great day out. You may even get to hear Graham’s band in the café one evening. Well worth a listen!
As always, respect the beach and the locals and leave it how you found it.
