Beaches & Watersports
Active or restful, enjoy the water.
The Beaches
Positioned between two stunning but very different coastlines, there are a number of beaches within a short distance from Kernock. We are blessed with an impressive South East Cornwall coastline, about 10 miles from Kernock, known as Cornwall’s forgotten corner. The North coast of Cornwall is perhaps better known for its surfing beaches than the South coast.
Details of the Cornish and Devonian surf beaches and relevant ability levels are listed below, or see link below.
There are loads of beaches listed here, which will enable you to choose based on your interests and needs, but for more comprehensive information on Cornish beaches, including detailed information on Accessibility and Dog Policy for each.
Postcodes for SatNav (SN) are included for each beach. Provided in your cottage is the Cornwall Tourist Board map that has all the details regarding dog friendly beaches at different times of the year.
We have buckets, spades and fishing nets at Kernock for you to use during your stay.
Our Top Picks
Closest beaches.
Looe Beach
- Best accessible
- No dogs
- Best for young children
- Safe, sand, rock pools and crabbing, watersports
- Best for general beach and watersports
Seaton Beach
- Best accessible
- Dogs all year
Whitsand Bay
- Best for surfing
- Best for dog walking and scenery (low tide!)
Cawsand
- Best for general beach and watersports
- No dogs seasonal
Kingsand
- Best for general beach and watersports
- Dogs allowed
South East Cornwall Beach Guide
Portwrinkle
Seaton
Downderry
Whitsand Bay
Looe
Talland Bay
Lantic Bay - Great Lantic Beach
Fowey - Readymoney Cove
Polstreath Beach
South East Cornwall
Kingsand & Cawsand
- 16.2 Miles from Kernock
- 07818 048895
- SN PL10 1PG
- [email protected]
These twin fishing villages have mainly golden sandy bucket-and-spade type beaches. Lots of tea rooms, quaint cottages and windy lanes to explore. Cawsand is dog-friendly out of season and Kingsand is dog-friendly all year. There is a large car park at Cawsand. Cawsand has a lovely, sheltered beach on the Rame Peninsula for paddleboarding and sea kayaking with Cawsand Bay Watersports. Lots of coves and inlets to explore.
South East Cornwall
Tregantle Bay
- PL11 3AL
At the West end of Whitsand Bay, you can find Tregantle Bay (below Tregantle Fort and Tregantle cliff, referred to as long sands) popular with locals, great for dogs but steep access. Park at Freathy or limited parking at Tregantle. Great sandy beach when the tide is out (check the tide times when planning your day). Only swim when lifeguards are on duty due to rip currents. From the A374 Trerulefoot to Torpoint road, turn off onto the B3247 and continue to the viewing layby next to Tregantle Fort: 350m further on is the entrance to the car park on the left (capacity 200 cars). There is a layby in front of the car park for about 60 cars. The gate into the access path to the beach is on the right with a 480m walk down a path to the beach (not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs). No toilets, dogs allowed all year.
South East Cornwall
Millendreath Beach
- 07740 683719
- SN PL13 1 PE
Millendreath Beach, Nr Looe for paddleboarding, single and double kayak hire.
South East Cornwall
Electric Hydro Foiling
- 07821 840916
- SN PL13 1NZ
- [email protected]
New to sea activities, e-foil (electric hydro foiling), can be experienced at Looe Bay.
South East Cornwall
Pentewan Bay
- 35.7 Miles from Kernock - near St Austell
- 01726 842939
- SN PL26 6BX
A pretty beach with long stretch of near white sand, used by all abilities of surfer. Cornwall Water Sports also provide paddle boards, windsurfing, sea kayaking, and self-drive boats.
South East Cornwall
Adventure Bay Surf School
- 07722 913 296
- PL17 7RD
- [email protected]
Whitsand Bay is the home of Adventure Bay Surf School and coasteering venue. The staff are all qualified lifeguards and surf instructors, and the feedback is excellent for beginners and middle ability surfers. Adventure Bay Surf School offer surf lessons, paddle boarding, coasteering.
South East Cornwall / Devon south coast
Boat Trips
Enjoy time on the water.
STORM (Skipper Phil) offer daily ferries from Looe to Polperro with time ashore, trips around Looe Island and Mackerel fishing trips, onboard toilet and dogs allowed 07813 757656
Skipper Nick in Looe offers 2 hour mackerel trips (all tackle provided) children and dogs welcome 07786086425
Explore Looe River with Looe’s self drive boat hire with seating for 5 – 7 pet friendly. 07506 628189 www.looeselfdriveboathire.co.uk
Plymouth Boat Trips
Padstow Sealife Safaris
Looe Boat Trips
South East Cornwall / Devon
Diving
Dive South East Cornwall South East Cornwall offers a wide range of diving opportunities, from easy first dives to deepwater dives for the most experienced. From Europe’s first artificial diving reef, Scylla, to other wrecks and dive sites, South East Cornwall has some top quality sites. HMS Scylla – a Leander class frigate – was scuttled as Europe’s first artificial reef in Whitsand Bay in 2004. Scylla has been decommissioned and deliberately sunk by the National Marine Aquarium to create a new underwater attraction for divers with funding from the South West Rural Development Agency.
Hartland to Padstow
North Cornwall Beaches
The North Cornwall coast is well worth a visit. There are some spectacular beaches, and coastal towns providing cultural interest too, including Tintagel, Boscastle, and Bedruthan Steps (a few miles east of Newquay). Most of the beaches are beautiful sandy beaches offering surfing and body boarding.
Of the North coast beaches, Bude is probably the nearest and has some good surf beaches. For novices, there are a few surf schools in the Bude and Newquay area.
Hartland to Padstow
Widemouth Bay
- 07360 649099
- SN EX23 0ND
- [email protected]
About 3 miles south of Bude, SN: EX23 0AH (34 miles from Kernock), is the main surfing beach in this area, suitable for all abilities. As well as a lovely beach and surfing there is also the popular The Monster Slip and Slide which is open for the summer season only; a super 4 land 360ft long skip and slide. Based in Bude, near Widemouth Bay. Popular with families in the summer.
More North Cornwall Beaches
Crackington Haven
- SN: EX23 0JG
Works well on a rising tide.
Newquay
- SN: TR7 1HR
Achieved renown because there are beaches facing in all directions, there is a good spread of types of surf, and with the right conditions, it has some really excellent breaks.
Mawgan Porth
- SN: TR8 4BL
Only really works with easterly winds.
Watergate Bay
- SN: TR8 4AD
Sheltered from SW winds.
Newquay Bay
- SN: TR7 1HR
3 Sandy beaches, it can be crowded in summer.
Fistral
- SN: TR7 1HY
Best and most famous surfing beach in Britain – Big competitions held here.
Crantock Bay
- SN: TR8 5SA
This is a stunning sandy beach and when the conditions are right this gives good surf too. A great family beach.
Holywell
- SN: TR8 5PG
Best round low tide.
Perranporth
- SN: TR6 0ND
The most southerly of the north coast surfing areas long sandy beach, with a whole range of surf for all abilities.
Perran Bay
- SN: TR20 9NE
You have to walk to get there, so it has fewer surfers.
Trevaunace Cove
- SN: TR5 0NU
Faces north, busy when the conditions are right.
Chapel Porth
- SN: TR5 0NS
Tiny beach, only for experts.
Trebarwith Strand
- SN: PL34 0HB
West facing beach break.
Polzeath
- SN: PL27 6SS
Great family beach, lots of sand and good surfing.
Hayle
- SN: TR27 5AP
A good beach for learners.
Harlyn Bay
- SN: PL28 8SB
Faces north and is about 3 miles west of Padstow.
Porthtowan Beach
- SN: TR4 8AW
You can get good tubing waves here.
More Ideas for Family Beach Days in Cornwall
Looking for more inspiration for your family holiday? Explore our blog for guides to Cornwall’s best beaches, hidden coastal gems, and memorable seaside days out near Kernock Cottages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the closest beaches to Kernock Cottages?
The nearest beaches are Seaton, Portwrinkle and Downderry, all around 11–12 miles away. These South East Cornwall beaches offer rock pools, wide stretches of sand and shingle, and dog friendly options year-round.
Are there dog friendly beaches near Kernock?
Yes. Seaton, Downderry, Whitsand Bay and parts of Portwrinkle are dog-friendly all year. Kingsand allows dogs year-round, while Cawsand has seasonal restrictions. A Cornwall beach guide map is provided in your cottage.
Are there family-friendly beaches near Kernock Cottages?
Yes. Seaton Beach is one of the most popular family beaches in South East Cornwall, with a wide stretch of sand and shingle, rock pools, and a nearby café and facilities. Portwrinkle and Downderry are also great for relaxed family beach days.
What water sports can I try in South East Cornwall?
You can enjoy paddleboarding, sea kayaking, surfing, coasteering, boat trips and even electric hydro foiling. Cawsand Bay Watersports, Adventure Bay Surf School at Whitsand Bay, and Millendreath Beach near Looe offer excellent options.
Are there lifeguarded beaches near Kernock Cottages?
Some larger beaches in Cornwall are lifeguarded during the summer months, particularly on the north coast. In South East Cornwall, beaches such as Seaton and Whitsand Bay are popular for swimming, but conditions can vary, so it is always advisable to check local safety information and tides before entering the water.
Are there accessible beaches nearby?
Looe Beach offers good disabled access and facilities. Seaton has reasonable access but is not fully wheelchair friendly. Accessibility details vary by beach, so it is worth checking ahead if needed.
