Only CornwallBeaches, towns & seasons, checked
MenuClose

Before you go Parking Daylight About

An independent guide. Every fact linked to its source and dated.

No weather or flood warningsDetails

Met Office and Environment Agency, as of . Met Office warnings (South West England) · Environment Agency flood warnings. Not a safety service: check the official source before you travel.

Before you go

Beach safety in Cornwall

Photograph to come Beach safety in Cornwall.

The official advice in one place, with links to the organisations that give it.

In an emergency

Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if someone is in trouble at the coast or in the sea (HM Coastguard).

Lifeguards

Cornwall Council says the RNLI patrols more than 200 beaches in the UK, and that the main lifeguard season runs from May to September and varies by beach. Use the RNLI’s lifeguarded beach finder to see which beaches are patrolled and when, and read the RNLI’s beach safety advice.

Tides

Tides can cut off parts of a beach. The council suggests checking BBC tide tables before you go.

Sun

The council advises staying in the shade between 11am and 3pm from March to October, and using sunscreen of at least factor 30.

Public rescue equipment

If you find damaged or missing public rescue equipment, such as a life ring, the council asks you to report it on 0300 1234 202 or by emailing countryside@cormacltd.co.uk.

Water quality

During the bathing season the Environment Agency samples designated bathing waters and, at some of them, issues daily pollution risk warnings. See water quality at every Cornish bathing water.

Sources and checks

Last checked: . Published by Oaknest Media. How we check: editorial policy.