Porthcurno

A south-facing cove of pale shell sand between granite headlands near Land's End, with the Minack Theatre on the cliffs to the west. On bright days the water is a vivid turquoise over white sand, but the beach shelves steeply and currents can be strong, so it rewards confident swimmers. In season swim between the RNLI flags, and allow for the steep path down from the car park.

Directions

Photo: Geertivp · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Latest reading · SwimScore 74/100 (Good swim) for a typical swimmer: air 13°C, wind 11 km/h, waves 1.3 m, UV 0. Updated 23 Sept, 22:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Best conditions: The south-facing, headland-sheltered cove is often flat in summer; winter south-westerly swells bring surf.
Getting in: On the South West Coast Path; from the car park the beach is reached by steep steps or a sandy slope with a rope handrail. Dogs are banned from the beach 10am–6pm, 1 July–31 August.
Parking & transport: Large pay-and-display car park above the beach (not National Trust, so members also pay). First Kernow A1 and A3 buses stop at Porthcurno.
Lifeguards: RNLI lifeguards patrol daily 16 May–27 September 2026, 10am–6pm. No flags means no lifeguards.
Water quality: Designated bathing water 'Porthcurno', rated Excellent by the Environment Agency in 2024 and 2025.
Season: Lifeguarded season runs mid-May to late September (2026 dates).
Watch for: Steeply shelving beach
Strong currents and rip currents
Rockfall risk from the cliffs
Facilities: Toilets by the car park (none on the beach) · Café · Minack Theatre and Porthcurno Telegraph Museum nearby