Explore Cornwall's Dog Friendly Beaches

The Best Dog Friendly Beaches in Cornwall

Cornwall is full of glorious beaches with stretches of white sand and turquoise seas that can go on for miles and miles. A lot of these beaches are dog-friendly all year round, but click here to stay up to date with local restrictions.

Here is a selection for you to enjoy during your holiday in Cornwall, tried, tested and given the ‘Paw of Approval’ by our dachshund Louis.

Watergate Bay – near Newquay

Watergate Bay beach, about 3 miles from Newquay on the North Cornwall coast, boasts two miles of golden sand at low tide, and out to sea enormous waves come in from the Atlantic providing a spectacular sight. Plenty of space for your fury friend to have a good run around.

Porthkidney Beach – Lelant

A north-facing beach at the mouth of the Hayle Estuary that lies just two miles from the picturesque harbour town of St Ives. Porthkidney is a vast expanse of sands, facing Hayle Towans to the east of the estuary. At low tide the beach can stretch almost a mile out to sea.

The beach is backed by picturesque sand dunes and West Cornwall Golf Club overlooks the beach.

Gorran Haven – Mevagissey

An east-facing sandy beach popular with families beside the very pretty South Coast village and harbour of Gorran Haven near St Austell. This beach is dog friendly, however they must be kept on leads.

Pedn Vounder – Porthcurno

One of Cornwall’s best beaches with stunning cliffs of Treryn Dinas, crystal clear water and a beautiful sandy beach. On a spring low tide one can walk to Pedn Vounder from neighbouring Porthcurno beach. Please be careful as the tide comes in fast. Dogs allowed all year and the car park is a 10 minute walk.

Harlyn Bay – Padstow

Considered one of the best family beaches in Cornwall, Harlyn Bay is a wide and spacious beach of yellow sand and pebbles with plenty of interesting rock pools backed by dunes and situated on the eastern side of Trevose Head, just west of Padstow. The perfect day out for your four-legged friends.

Seaton beach – Looe

This lovely family beach with a large cafe, shop and toilets, set in a quieter part of Cornwall has everything you need for a memorable day out with the pooch. The large beach of sand with small pebbles is south facing and located at the entrance of the River Seaton valley.

Trebarwith Strand – Tintagel

Trebarwith strand is approximately a mile and half south of Tintagel and can be reached on foot along the coast path by St Materiana’s Church at Tintagel or via Treknow or Trewarmett. Trebarwith is a superb all round beach that boasts good bathing and surfing with plenty of nooks and crannies for your fury friends to explore.

Fistral beach – Newquay

This beautiful beach is west facing, long and sandy and backed by rocks and cliffs. Fistral is the perfect family beach offering simple pleasures of sea and surf combined with first class beach and seafront facilities including surf equipment hire, lessons and boutiques, showers, toilets, car parking, restaurants and cafes. A natural playground for the all including the family dog.

Mexico Towans – Hayle

Mexico Towans forms part of a glorious four miles of sand that starts from the mouth of the Hayle estuary and reaches out to the lighthouse at Godrevy Point. Situated between Hayle Towans and Upton Towans, the beach is backed by magnificent sand dunes.

Kenneggy Sands – Penzance

Just one of many secret beaches on the south coast of Cornwall, Kenneggy Sands offers a sandy beach reached at low tide from Praa Sands. You’re free to bring the dog if you wish to do so, however this beach is so secluded that it has to be reached on foot. It’s not a huge trek, but you do have to keep in mind that you can’t park the car right next to the beach.