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"The sleek-barrelled swell before storm"

Porthpean Beach

Cornwall, England


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Porthpean Beach, located on the south coast of Cornwall, is a sheltered sandy beach that offers a serene escape for families and beachgoers alike. .

Porthpean Beach is a remote sandy beach, approximately 290 metres wide, surrounded by cliffs and hills. The beach is situated just south of Duporth Beach and offers stunning views over St Austell Bay.

The beach is popular among families seeking a safe and sheltered spot, with the cove's sheltered position making it ideal for a range of water activities. Visitors can rent paddleboards or kayaks from a small hut on the beach and explore the beautiful coastline from the water. The Porthpean Sailing Club is located on the western side of the beachfront, catering to sailing enthusiasts. The calm waters of Porthpean provide a perfect playground for families with young children.

The cliffs to the east of the beach are extensively used by nesting birds, while the rock pools to its west provide ample opportunity for kids to look for starfish, crabs, and shrimp. The South West Coast Path runs along the beach, offering opportunities for scenic strolls in either direction, with stunning views of the Cornish coastline.

A small car park on Porthpean Beach Road provides convenient access to the beach, although arriving early is recommended, especially on sunny days. On summer days, the beach can get busy with families, creating a lively yet still laid-back vibe.

Porthpean Beach is adjacent to the South West Coast Path.

Sand Shingle

Weather and tides for Thursday 4 June

Today
Chance of rain 99%
Max temperature 15°C
feels like 14°C
Wind 25mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 67%
Min temperature 11°C
feels like 11°C
Wind 24mph

The tide at Porthpean Beach is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 8:35 AM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 2:42 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Recommended holiday cottages near Porthpean Beach

Things to do and see in the area

Historic Port of Charlestown (0.7 miles)
Pinetum Gardens (1.4 miles)
St Austell Brewery (1.6 miles)
Cornwall Football Golf (1.8 miles)
Pentewan Valley Cycle Hire (2.4 miles)
Lobbs Farm Shop (3.3 miles)
Wheal Martyn (3.4 miles)
The Lost Gardens of Heligan (3.4 miles)
Mevagissey Museum (3.8 miles)
Aquila Charters (3.8 miles)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Lower Porthpean

Location type: Rural

Nearest village: Duporth

OS Grid: SX032507

Coordinates: 50°19'24"N 4°45'56"W

Mapcode: GBR N0.Y5NW

What 3 Words: cork.addicted.terminology

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

Country: England

Local Authority: Cornwall

Parish: St Austell Bay

Nearest postcode: PL26 6AX

(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 Porthpean Beach, Cornwall, England. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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216.73.216.53 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:49:18 +0100