There isn’t a more lovely sight than watching a dog living their best life, chasing a ball on the wide open sands, or cooling down in the sea.
Cornwall in particular with its hundreds of coves and beaches is a dog’s paradise. However, as much as your dog loves the beach, not all beaches love your dog, with some prohibiting dogs from visiting at all.
Below is a guide to the top 20 dog friendly beaches Cornwall, with information on what to expect, alongside any yearly restrictions or guidelines.
So get ready to pack your treats, lead and ball, and head over to one of these breathtaking dog friendly beaches Cornwall has to offer.
Porthcurno Beach
Porthcurno beach is an absolute dream. Soft white sands and turquoise waters make Porthcurno one of the most popular beaches in Cornwall.
What’s more, Porthcurno beach welcomes dogs all year round, and there are plenty of places to walk. However, dogs are asked to be kept on a short lead. Enjoy this little slice of paradise!
Carbis Bay
Carbis Bay is a beautiful family friendly beach, privately owned, but available to all to visit. With its crystal clear waters, and world famous Carbis Bay Hotel, this beach is well worth a visit.
Carbis Bay Beach welcomes dogs throughout most of the year, every morning and evening, however restrictions are in place over the summer months from 15 May to 30 September, 10am – 6pm.
holiday cottages and ice creams remember to check tide times
Hollywell Bay
Hollywell Bay, with its iconic ‘twin rocks’ at sea, perhaps is most famous as ‘Poldark’s beach’ from the popular TV series.
A lovely sandy beach that stretches out far and wide, and best of all, dogs are allowed all year round.
Kynance Cove
Next on the list of the best dog friendly beaches Cornwall is the iconic Kynance Cove. Kynance has been regularly voted as one of the best beaches in the entire world.
This popular beach can become very busy, and is owned by the National Trust. It is dog friendly from 1st September to 30th June each year. Between 1st July and 31st August there is a dog ban in place between 10am and 6pm.
Sandymouth Bay
Sandymouth is a good sized rocky and sand beach located not far from Bude in North Cornwall on the South West Coast Path.
A wonderfully wild beach with plenty of rock pools to explore and strong crashing waves add to the atmosphere.
Sandymouth is dog friendly, with dogs allowed all year round.
St Michaels Mount / Marazion Beach
Marazion beach overlooks the stunning St Michaels Mount, and iconic landmark in Cornwall’s West Coast.
As similar to other beaches in the area, dogs are welcome year round in the morning and evenings and the cooler months. However Marazion beach has a dog ban from 1 July until 31 August between 10 am and 6 pm.
When visiting the Island of St Michaels Mount itself, dogs are welcome to visit the harbour and village on the island from 1st October until 31st March. Please be aware that dogs are not permitted to visit the castle, mount, castle grounds, paths and gardens during public visits.
Perranporth Beach
Perranporth is a stunning large sandy beach with miles of golden sands for your four legged friend to burn off plenty of energy.
What’s more, Perranporth allows dogs all year round, however durning July-August dogs must be kept on leads at all times.
Godrevy Beach
Godrevy beach is a stunning National Trust owned beach with wildlife galore and its iconic lighthouse.
It is a truly beautiful location to take the dog for a walk, however please keep your dog on a lead at this location as it is known to harbour many seals and seal pups which can become distressed by dogs or people being too close.
There is a seasonal ban between 1 May and 30 September (08:00am – 07:00pm) between Red River and the lighthouse.
St Ives Beaches
St Ives has some truly stunning beaches, with Porthmeor Beach and Porthminster Beach being their largest and most popular.
Porthmeor beach, overlooked by The Tate St Ives and a surfers paradise has a seasonal dog ban in place from the 15th of May to the 30th September, between 10am and 6pm. Dogs are welcome at all other times.
Porthminster Beach, with slightly calmer waters and golden sands also welcomes dogs for most of the year, but enforces the same seasonal ban between 15th May and 30 September (10am – 6pm).
Nanjizal Cove
One of our favourite beaches, Nanjizal is a Cornish hidden gems. A beautiful turquoise cove, off the beaten track, with its famous ‘Song of the Sea Cave’.
A beautiful, quiet and wild location, Nanjizal welcomes dogs all year round.
Fistral Beach
Fistral beach is a very popular family friendly beach, known for its awesome surfer dudes, located in Newquay.
Fistral is a very large beach that stretches on for miles, providing plenty of exercise for your furry friend. What’s even better is Fistral beach welcomes dogs all year round.
Bedruthan Steps Beach
Beautiful Bedruthan with its craggy rocks dotted with beautiful wildflowers is a real wild and romantic spot in Cornwall.
At low tide the beach itself stretches for over a mile with plenty of interesting nooks and crannies, however please note there are numerous warnings about the danger of the cliffs and the tides, so please do take care of yourself and your dog.
Dogs are welcome at all times on Bedruthan Steps Beach.
Tintagel
Tintagel, birthplace of a King and home to a Wizard, is about as dramatic as a location you could find.
Steeped in history, lore and mythology Tintagel is a truly stunning location, and a wonderful place to take the dog for a walk, and what’s more, dogs are allowed all year.
Rinsey Cove
Rinsey Cove Beach, owned by the National Trust is positioned between popular Praa Sands and Porthleven.
Due to its remoteness, it is very rarely busy, making it a great spot to take the dog for its daily exercise. Rinsey cove also allows dogs all year through.
Newlyn Beach
Newlyn is most known for its busy harbour, winding cobbled streets, delicious food, and fantastic arts scene.
However, Newlyn also has a small beach just past the fish market, and dogs are allowed to visit at all times, throughout the year.
Kennack Sands
Kennack sands is a lovely sheltered beach, with golden sands, and popular with families. Located on the eastern side of the Lizard with plenty of rock pools to explore and sand to run around.
Dogs allowed all year on the East beach furthest away from car park. However, there is a seasonal dog ban on the main beach from 1st July to 31st August from 10am to 6pm.
Chapel Porth Beach
Overlooked by the imposing Wheal Coates tin mine, Chapel Porth Beach is iconic and stunning in equal measure.
Dogs are welcome to Chapel Porth all year round and there are plenty of places to walk the dog, with the costal path meaning you can walk for miles if you wish.
Please help to keep Chapel Porth enjoyable for people and nature by keeping your dog on a short lead, cleaning up after them.
Sennen Beach
Sennen Beach is a mecca for surfers and families alike, and offers miles of soft sands and clear waters for your dog to enjoy.
During the summer, dogs are only permitted on Sennen Beach before 10am and after 6pm between the 15th of May and 30th of September however durning mornings and evenings, and in the colder months, between the 1st of October and 14th May, the beach is dog friendly with dogs allowed on the beach at any time.
Praa Sands
Within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Praa Sands offers a wide expanse of white sandy beach, and wonderful grass topped sand dunes for your furry companion to explore and enjoy.
Dogs are welcome at Praa Sands all year round in the mornings and evenings, however a dog ban runs between 10am and 6pm in July and August.
We hope you found this guide to the ’20 Best Dog Friendly Beaches Cornwall’ a useful and extensive resource for your trip to this most beautiful part of the world.
Please note that although many of these beaches are dog friendly year round, the times stated of the seasonal bans are correct at time of time of publication, however these times may change or vary. Also be sure to check the tide times before you go.
We really hope you enjoy your time in wild and romantic Cornwall.
For more beaches in Cornwall take a look at Wild & Free Cornwall
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