20 dog friendly beaches in Cornwall

Carbis Bay Beach

Carbis Bay is a beautiful sheltered beach located just a short distance from the popular town of St Ives – you’d think you were in the Caribbean here! This golden sandy beach is perfect for dogs to run along and take a dip in the beautiful blue waters, plus there’s plenty of space for building sandcastles and enjoying a picnic.

Sandymouth

For a remote and secluded beach, Sandymouth is a National Trust beach that is nestled within the cliffs of North Cornwalls coastline. This tidal beach has a lengthy stretch of sand that can be seen at low tide and is accessible only by a steep path, making it a peaceful retreat from the crowds, where you can take in the full experience of one of the best dog friendly beaches in Cornwall.

Porthcothan Bay Beach

This beach is a hidden gem located near the village of Porthcothan and sits between Newquay and Padstow. This sandy beach opens out at low tide to connect with small coves to the north and south. At high tide, Porthcothan Bay shrinks dramatically and then turns into a very sheltered beach due to the cliffs, making for some of the most beautiful sights.

Daymer Bay

Daymer Bay is one of the best dog friendly beaches in Cornwall, and is a 30-40 minute drive from the dog-friendly Retallack Resort. At low tide, this beautiful beach forms long stretches of golden sand backed by dunes all the way around to Rock. Alongside this, you can witness some of the best views across the Camel Estuary.

Kynance Cove

One of Cornwall's most iconic and picturesque beaches, Kynance Cove, part of the Lizard Peninsula, is known for its dramatic rock formations and turquoise waters. This series of coves and islands is a true natural wonder, offering excellent opportunities for exploration and photography – your furry friend will especially love to explore!

Perranporth Beach

Perranporth Beach is a vast expanse of golden sand that stretches for miles along Cornwall's north coast, and is one of Cornwall’s most popular beaches that’s around a 10-minute drive from the Newperran Holiday Resort. This popular beach has something for everyone and is surrounded by tall cliffs, rolling dunes, and plenty of sand for your dog to run along.

Mawgan Porth

This picturesque village beach is an award winning sheltered cove on the north coast of Cornwall. Amid high Cornish headlands Mawgan Porth is a tranquil location between Newquay and Padstow with easy footpaths for both you and your pup to access. This sandy beach is one of the best dog friendly beaches in Cornwall and is backed by cliffs and offers excellent swimming and surfing conditions.

Widemouth Bay Beach

Widemouth Bay is a vast and expansive sandy beach located just under three miles from the centre of Bude, and accessible along the South West Coast Path, which you can discover with your pooch. This beach is popular with families, surfers, and dog owners alike, with plenty of space for activities and powerful waves for surfing, plus your dog can take a dip too.

Watergate Bay

The beautiful Watergate Bay has a two-mile stretch of golden sand and is located near the town of Newquay. This beach is a mecca for surfers, with consistent waves and a laid-back surf culture. The beach is also great for families with dogs, as there is plenty of space for games and activities, as well as several cafes and restaurants nearby.

Harlyn Bay Beach

Harlyn Bay is a small and sheltered cove located near the town of Padstow – about a 20-minute from the Retallack Resort. This sandy beach is perfect for families, with calm waters ideal for swimming and paddling, and vast amounts of sand for your dog to sniff through – at low tide, it’s the perfect time for a game of fetch!

Crantock Beach

This long sandy stretch of beach located in North Cornwall is one of the best National Trust beaches around! This beach is popular with a wide range of different people, and the fact that Crantock Beach is backed by dunes and offers stunning views of the surrounding coastline makes it a must-visit destination with your pooch!

Dog restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year round.

Fistral Beach

Fistral Beach is one of Cornwall's most renowned and popular beaches, located in the town of Newquay. This long stretch of golden sand is a surfer's paradise, with consistent waves and a lively surf culture. However, that isn’t all, as it’s also one of the best Cornwall dog-friendly beaches.

Mother Ivey’s Bay

This secluded and unspoiled beach is located on the North Cornwall coast. This small cove is surrounded by towering cliffs and features a sandy beach and rocky outcrops – plus, it’s within one of Cornwall’s 12 areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Polzeath Beach

Polzeath Beach is a real Cornish gem and a long and sandy stretch of beach that neighbours Padstow. This beach is a popular choice for many and when you come and visit, you’ll see exactly why! This beach offers excellent waves and plenty of space for relaxation and activities with your furry friend

Mullion Cove

Located within cliffs full of wildlife, this picturesque and sheltered National Trust cove is located on the Lizard Peninsula and is only around a 40-50 minute drive from St Ives Bay. This sandy beach is surrounded by towering cliffs and offers excellent opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and paddling with your pup, plus you can explore the numerous rock pools at low tide.

Porthcurno Beach

Porthcurno Beach is a stunning and secluded beach with stunning white sand and turquoise waters, framed by dramatic cliffs, making it a popular and beautiful spot to visit. At this National Trust beach, you may even spot birds, basking whales, and dolphins! There are plenty of breathtaking views to be discovered from the winding coastal paths found around Porthcurno.

Porthgwarra Beach

This beach is the perfect location for a lazy holiday beach day. This small and secluded cove is the best place to relax and enjoy the views, plus some scenes from the popular show Poldark were filmed here too. Porthgwarra Beach is accessed by a steep path and features a sandy beach surrounded by towering cliffs.

Gwithian Towans Beach

Gwithian Towans Beach is a vast expanse of golden sand located in Hayle. The beach is backed by dunes and offers stunning views of St Ives Bay, and at low tide large areas of rock pools are uncovered around Strap Rocks, just waiting to be explored - you might even witness the resident grey seals often spotted off the coastline!

Nanjizal Beach

This secluded beach is mainly isolated due to it being less accessible – most of the people who visit Nanjizal Beach are walkers of the South West Coast Path, which you may choose to do parts of with your pooch. Therefore, it makes for a calm day out and around a 45-minute from St Ives Bay Holiday Resort.

Trebarwith Strand Beach

Trebarwith Strand Beach is a long and sandy beach located just two miles from the historic village of Tintagel. This beach particularly welcomes dog walkers to explore the stunning sights. Perfect for the nature lovers amongst you, the beach is backed by cliffs and offers stunning views of the surrounding coastline.

Dod restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year round.