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Porthoustock Beach

Cornwall, England


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Porthoustock Beach is a small, remote pebble beach located on the south coast of Cornwall, near the famous Mannacles rocks and a working gravel pit.

Porthoustock Beach, locally known as Pro'stock, is situated near St Keverne on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, close to the small hamlet of Porthoustock. The beach is approximately 240 metres wide and is backed by low green cliffs. A stream flows across the beach to the sea, and at low tide, some sand is exposed.

The area has a rich history tied to coastal trading and quarrying activities, with Porthoustock originally being a fishing hamlet that developed in the late 19th century as a port for local stone quarries. The beach is a pebble beach with some sand at low tide, making it a nice spot for exploring tide pools and enjoying the coastal scenery. A pier is available for fishing, and the clean water is suitable for swimming and kayaking.

While Porthoustock Beach is not a surfing beach, it provides calm waters that are generally suitable for diving, especially when conditions are favourable. The beach serves as a convenient launching point for divers looking to explore the shipwrecks at ‘The Manacles’, an area well known for its wrecks and diverse marine ecosystems. Divers should still be cautious and check local conditions before heading out.

The area is surrounded by beautiful cliffs and long country walks, making it a great destination for those looking to enjoy the outdoors. Porthoustock Beach is a lovely destination for dog owners as it is dog-friendly all year round and those looking to enjoy a quieter beach experience in Cornwall.

Sand Shingle Pebbles

Weather and tides for Sunday 20 July

Tonight
Chance of rain 11%
Min temp. 14°C
(feels like 13°C)
Wind 7mph
Tomorrow (Monday)
Chance of rain 44%
Max temp. 20°C
(feels like 17°C)
Wind 16mph
Max UV Index

The tide at Porthoustock Beach is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 2:10 AM tomorrow, and the next low tide will be at approximately 8:57 AM tomorrow.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Approximate sea surface temperature:   17.2°C  

Detailed weather and tides »
  • Facilities

    Toilets
  • Popular Activities

    Sunbathing Walking
  • Parking

    There is free parking near the beach but please do not obstruct local fishermen's boats.

  • Lifeguard

    No lifeguard cover at this beach

  • Water Quality

    Excellent water quality

    Excellent water quality

Recommended holiday cottages near Porthoustock Beach

Things to do and see in the area

Porthkerris Divers (0.7 miles)
Roskilly's (1.1 miles)
St Keverne Parish Church (1.1 miles)
Coverack Harbour (2.6 miles)
Glendurgan Garden (4.4 miles)
Trebah Garden (4.4 miles)
Helford River Cruises (4.6 miles)
Cornwall Segway (5 miles)
Maenporth to Swanpool Path Walk (5 miles)
Kennack Sands Beaches (5.5 miles)

Places to eat near Porthoustock Beach

The Five Pilchards Inn (120 yards)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Porthoustock

Location type: Rural

Nearest village: Porthallow

OS Grid: SW807217

Country: England

Local Authority: Cornwall

Parish: St. Keverne

Nearest postcode: TR12 6QW

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

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Visitor information for Porthoustock Beach, Cornwall, England. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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18.97.14.83 Sun, 20 Jul 2025 20:50:06 +0100