The Rockpool (Cornwall)

The Gwithian Academy of Surfing’s surf school and shop are situated at Gwithian which is the Northernmost point of the lonh Hayle beach in St Ives Bay.

Gwithian / Godrevy beach is one of the best stretches of golden sand in Cornwall and is popular with both families and surfers. Located at the end of the long Hayle beach, within St Ives Bay, these two beaches are joined together at low tide. The area of sand dunes and grassland located behind the beach is owned by the National Trust. The beach is also used for kite buggies, kite surfing, and windsurfers as there is a large expanse of sand at low tide. Some good walks through the coastal grassland and heathland and you need to be careful of falling rocks by the cliffs. Facilities at the beach include toilets, cafes, tea room, surfboard hire, seasonal lifeguard cover and first aid. There is also a free car park 10 minutes walk away if you prefer not to pay for the one at the beach. The small Cornish village of Gwithian is about half a mile and has small shops, pub and cream teas.

Mutton and Kynance Coves are on the North side of Godrevy Point at the northern point of St Ives Bay. The cove is a popular resting place for Grey seals in part due to the lack of access from the coast path. Closest parking is at the National Trust car park and the Godrevy Cafe. We have no dog information for Mutton and Kynance Coves beach.

Fishing Cove is a small East facing sandy beach backed by cliffs and with rock pools at either end. The smaller inaccessible cove to the North is Castle Giver Cove, also known as Smugglers Cove. Fishing Cove is known as a naturist beach. Parking, toilets and Cafe at Godrevy Head with access is down a fairly steep and often slippy steps. Dogs allowed.

Godrevy Island is situated 3½ miles across St.Ives Bay, where rugged cliffs rise from the sea. Gulls, oyster-catchers and pipits make their homes on the island, which is partly covered with grass, as it slopes down to the sea. In springtime, carpets of brightly coloured primroses, sea thrift and heather bring beauty to the scene, for although the island is close to the mainland, it is open to the full force of Atlantic gales. A dangerous reef extends outwards towards St.Ives, called the Stones and on this many vessels have come to grief.

Upton Towans beach is a large and popular beach halfway along The Towans and is safe for swimming, surfing and windsurfing. At its northern end is Peter’s Point, which is less popular as it is difficult to access but often gives a better surf.

The Towans refers to a 4 mile stretch of beach and each individual area of the dunes behind the beach have their own identities. The individual areas include: Hayle Towans, Black Cliff, Riviere Towans, Mexico Towans, Common Towans, Phillack Towans, Upton Towans and Gwithian Towans. The Towans mix of sand, sand dune and grassland has a wide variety of wildlife and plants and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Some dunes rise to more than 50 metres (160 ft) above sea level. A wide section of places to park along this Hayle stretch of St. Ives bay. Dog restrictions: this is one long beach but each section has different dog rules, please check the signs at the point you enter.

Mexico Towans is near the middle of the long Hayle Towans beach that looks over St Ives Bay. A sandy beach with high dunes and good for swimming and surfing/bodyboarding. This is a great family beach that has room for everyone even on the hottest and busiest summer days. Lifeguards in summer. Access is down the dunes themselves and so some may find the friendlier access at Black Cliff or Hayle Towans a better choice.

St Ives Bay has two main areas. The town beaches on the St Ives side of the estuary and then the long beach on the Hayle side of the estuary. The Hayle side has 3 miles of sandy beach backed by sand dunes (“Towans”) and cliffs. The beach stretches from St Ives estuary up to Godrevy beach, just off the point you will see the Godrevy lighthouse built in 1859. This whole bay provides a wide range of activities including relaxing on a quite stretch, rock pools, canoeing, fishing, surfing and kitesurfing. As the beach area is so large plenty of room for everyone. When you have finished on the beach move up to St Ives town and browse around the Tate gallery. This is really an ideal spot to base a Cornish seaside holiday!

North Cliffs beach, or Deadmans Cove is a pebble beach although you will get some sand as the tide goes out. A couple of small car parks but nothing else.

Cafe overlooking Black Cliff beach at Hayle with good views over the bay towards Sty Ives. Offers a selection of hot and cold foods along with a few gifts and beach toys. Opening hours are seasonal.