Whilst I haven’t rated it particularly highly, this is because it’s a beach better known for surfing, than swimming and the conditions aren’t always favourable.
In the right conditions however, the beach offers some glorious swims! You have caves that can be swum through, stacks to swim around…there is a wealth of swimming options.
We don’t do a great deal of swimming at Porthcothan, which is a shame as it’s a stunning part of Cornwall and not always that busy. It did feature on one of our charity swims and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Porthcothan is quite a narrow, fairly long beach, that starts to open up as the tide goes out. Due to the shape of the beach, we’d advise you to be very careful swimming there on an outgoing tide…particularly if there is some swell running. We’d also advise you not to be too adventurous with an outgoing tide and swim around either headland. There are a number of small islands and rock formations and you can get some strong currents and tidal movement.
Porthcothan is lifeguarded for a number of months over the summer, there is a beach cafe and reasonable parking.
If you enjoy a quiet beach, a little out of the way…and you don’t have young kids this may well be for you.
We’ve completed a Safe swimming Guide for Marazion. I thought it might be nice to add a beach rater to the area. So here it is :
Despite the high rating I rarely visit this beach. Possibly a little too busy for my taste. If you’d like a safe, beautiful beach, with plenty to do (a family day out)…then this is for you!
