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Top Dog-Friendly Beaches In Cornwall

dog jumping to catch a frisbee

Heading down to the coast soon or maybe planning ahead for the summer months? With the kids in tow, but you don’t fancy leaving your furry friend behind? Well, you don’t have to when you visit Cornwall! With the salty air, soft golden sand and beautiful landscapes, it’s the perfect place to vacation. And when there are some top dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall, everyone can enjoy a day at the beach!

The ideal destination for those who love a staycation and strive for stunning views and sandy acres of beach!

Trebarwith Strand, North Cornwall

trebarwith beach
A gorgeous sandy beach that spans out far and wide – so there’s plenty of room for your pooch to run about! With turquoise waters, lots of sunny weather and cool water, it’s the place to be!

What’s even better, is when there’s low tide, the dogs and the kids can paddle about in the shallow water. Towards the cliff, you’ll find multiple caves that you can explore in! Some are quite eerie, others are not! Don’t forget you’ll find plenty of rock pools that are interesting to discover – especially when you can find crabs, shrimp and small fish.

Please note: keep an eye on the tide times as it can come in quick and fast. 

Shape Location Get directions

Trebarwith Strand,
Nr Tintagel,
PL34 0HB

Watergate Bay, Newquay

watergate bay beach in the sun
When at low tide, the golden sandy beach stretches as far as the eye can see until your eyes it the high cliffs. It’s so close to the town too, so you can always pop over for a bite to eat if you wish. But the beauty of the beach is you can always find a quiet spot to relax.

As well as the long stretch of sand (perfect for zoomies!), the waves are pretty popular with surfers! Of course, it’s dog friendly, so bring along your frisbees and balls to play fetch with!

With blue waters and soft sand, your canine companions will have plenty of space to run about! Not forgetting the coastal walks you can enjoy as a family on this lovely beach during the height of summer!

Shape Location Get directions

Watergate Beach
TR8 4AA

Holywell Bay Beach, Newquay

holywell beach and blue waters
You could travel a few miles out and visit this quaint spot. If your dogs like the peace and quiet and are a little bit nervous, then they’d like Holywell Bay. It’s less busy than the other popular spots of the Cornish beaches and it has plenty of space to run amock!

This beautiful beach is the paw-fect spot for your pup to explore. With high sand dunes, incredible caves and gentle streams whooshing down. Not to mention the coast path and cliff paths too – get your walking shoes on and take a wander along the coast.

It’s also pretty popular with surfers! And not far from Holywell Village at all, where you’ll find plenty of quaint cottages to vacation in.

Shape Location Get directions

Holywell Bay
Newquay
TR8 5PG

Mawgan Porth, Newquay

dog running on beach
If you want to avoid the popular and busy beaches in Newquay and it’s surroundings then we think we’ve found the jackpot.

Mawgan Porth! A little slice of heaven with its azure waters, golden sand and stretches of sand. You really couldn’t find any better. Especially when the beach is sheltered by high cliffs on each side, so you’ll feel like you’re in your own zone.

It’s a fab family beach because it has lots of rockpools for little explorers who love to find tiny crabs and learn more about sea life. For those who are a little braver, why not explore the caves?! Then use your investigation skills and locate the effortless stream trickling down the southern side of the beach!

Dogs are of course welcome and there’s also disabled access. As the beach is exposed to the Atlantic Ocean and its currents, the beach is popular with surfers, but there’s a lifeguard on duty during popular seasons.

Shape Location Get directions

Mawgan Porth,
Newquay
TR8 4BL

Fistral Beach, Newquay

south fistral beach with wildflowers
Did you know that this is one of the most popular beaches in Cornwall? Not only with families but also surfers!

During low tide, you can walk across the golden sands to the other side, discover rock pools and let your pups run wild – because it’s dog friendly!

Fistral Beach is divided into three: South Fistral, the main beach and Little Fistral, which is only there during low tide. At the northern end, you’ll find a cafe, wetsuit hire, a nearby golf course and toilets!

You’ll also find towering sand dunes that are truly unspoilt, fields of wildflowers! Making the perfect summer day on any vacay!

Shape Location Get directions

Fistral Beach
Newquay

Seaton Beach, Torpoint

seaton beach in the summer
If you’re looking for calm waters and small beaches, Seaton Beach will tick your box! Due to the high cliffs, it is a sheltered beach, especially from the waves and winds, making it a great spot for kids and dogs to play safely.

You won’t find an expanse of sand here but more pebbles and coarse sand. BUT what it does make up for is the number of rock pools you’ll find on either end of the beach.

On the green bank behind the beach, you’ll find a children’s play park, as well as a cafe, shop and toilets.

It’s a nice little stop-off if you’re on a road trip or just want to dip your toes in the sea.

Shape Location Get directions

Deviock,
Torpoint
PL11 3JQ

Penzance Promenade Beach, Penzance

st michaels mount penzance beach
If you don’t mind a shingle beach then Penzance is a beach for you. It stretches out for a mile long, where you’ll find a mixture of sand and shingle. When the tide is low you’ll find an array of underwater wildlife in the rock pools and at higher tide, you can enjoy snorkelling and wild swimming!

You’ll find a backdrop of an amusement arcade, hotels, guest houses and a pool! There is a seasonal ban on dogs from 1st July to 31st August – but it’s worth visiting another month anyway!

Shape Location Get directions

S W Coast Path,
Penzance
TR18 4HH

Kyance Cove

kyance cove beach
Arguably one of the most famous beaches in Cornwall – for good reason!

It has beautifully tranquil turquoise waters, stunning white sands, islands caves and unrivalled views – you really can’t get any better than this beach. Its gorgeousness makes it stand out from the majority of beaches in the UK and it’s why it’s incredibly popular!

From serpentine rock formations, sea stacks and cave exploration to scenic coastal paths to leisurely walk along.

It has everything – apart from lifeguards, so make sure you keep an eye out if the kids go swimming!

During the summer, there is a seasonal ban on dogs, specifically from 1st July to 31st August, 10:00 0 18:00. But with a beach that’s beautiful all year round, it’s perfectly fine to visit another time during the year!

Explore the Lizard Peninsula, Asparagus Island, The Drawing Room and The Parlour…so many structures at this beach, and you certainly won’t get bored here!

Shape Location Get directions

Helston
TR12 7PJ

Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall

Porthcurno Beach
Itching for that soft sand feeling on your toes? Porthcurno is such a pretty beach to discover! From soft white sand and turquoise sea, this absolutely stunning beach is utter bliss.

Did you know it’s a National Trust site? You might be able to catch a glimpse of dolphins, basking sharks! It’s a popular beach with families, with its calm waters and serene seas. And if you’re theatre lovers, you can hop over to Minack Theatre for an open-air show, right on the cliffs above! A beautiful view and a fab show – now there’s your reason to grab yourself a National Trust membership!

Shape Location Get directions

Porthcurno,
Cornwall
TR19 6JX

Crantock Beach, Newquay

crantock beach on a sunny day
Looking for a Caribbean-style holiday but without the cost? Head to Crantock Beach for a simply stunning slice of heaven.

Gorgeous golden sands, sweeping beaches, wildlife-rich grasslands and a vibrant display of wildflowers – can it get any better? It’s also a short walk away from the Gannel Estuary if you fancy a little bit of exploring.

The best part is that your furry friends can also enjoy the beach because it’s dog friendly all year round!

Shape Location Get directions

Crantock,
Newquay
TR8 5RN

So, we hope you’ve found one of these top dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall as your next family trip! Especially during the summer when the days are brighter and the sun shines more. The Cornish coast is simply sublime, so no wonder why it’s a popular destination!

Summer is always the best time to head to the beach.

Looking for more beaches? Here’s more dog-friendly beaches across the UK, the best dog-friendly beaches near London or in Wales! Then check out Pet-friendly Cottages, Pop + Bark Events 2023, Puppy Yoga Near Me and so much more!