19 of the best dog-friendly beaches in South Cornwall

There are so many reasons to enjoy a dog-friendly holiday in Cornwall: the beautiful scenery, the ample dog-friendly attractions and the delicious food and drink to name but a few. But we’d argue that two and four-legged visitors alike are mostly drawn to the region for its beautiful coastline, boasting some of the best dog-friendly beaches in the UK!

South Cornwall has its own unique charm; whilst North Cornwall beaches are rugged and wild, the south has gentle waters, secret coves and historic buildings, all ready for your dog to sniff out.

To help you plan your trip, we’ve rounded up some of the best South Cornwall dog-friendly beaches – read on for inspiration or click the button below to explore our dog-friendly cottages. 

Skip to:

• Dog-friendly beaches in Falmouth
• Dog-friendly beaches in Looe
• Dog-friendly beaches in the Lizard
• Dog-friendly beaches in St Austell
• Dog-friendly beaches in Marazion
• Dog-friendly beaches in Polperro
• Full list of dog-friendly beaches in South Cornwall

Dog-friendly beaches in Falmouth

Trefusis Beach

There are plenty of dog-friendly things to do in Falmouth, and a day out at the beach with your furry land seal is just one of them. Trefusis Beach is the best dog-friendly Falmouth beach for unrestricted walkies all year round and is accessed by taking the passenger ferry from Falmouth to Flushing which runs twice an hour – friendly dogs are welcome on board. After a nice walk and a dip in the water, why not visit one of the dog-friendly pubs on the harbour with your canine companions and watch the boats come and go?

Gyllyngvase Beach

Falmouth’s most popular beach welcomes dogs all day long out of season and for early morning or late evening walkies from Easter to October. A short walk from Falmouth’s centre, the beach that’s more affectionately known as Gylly is the perfect location to watch a pretty sunset with your canine companion after spending all day exploring the many things to do in this wonderful part of Cornwall.

Swanpool Beach

Just down the road from Gylly Beach is its smaller, quieter sister, Swanpool, which has fewer dog restrictions. It welcomes beach-loving four-legged friends from September to June, only enforcing daytime bans in July and August. It’s a great choice for a quieter dog walk while still being close to Falmouth’s centre.

Maenporth Beach

Around 2 miles outside Falmouth and just inside the spectacular Lizard Heritage Coast, Maenporth Beach boasts azure waters and little rock pools at low tide that children (and fur babies!) will adore exploring. While dogs aren’t allowed on the beach in July and August, this is a brilliant dog-friendly beach in Cornwall for those sunny September sessions with your best canine companion.

Dog-friendly beaches in Looe

Plaidy Beach

Looe is a great place for a Cornish coastal holiday but it does have some pretty strict dog restrictions in the summer months. That doesn’t mean your four-legged friends can’t run free on the sand, however; if you’re on holiday in Looe and looking for dog-friendly beaches in South East Cornwall, just head a few miles down the coast path to Plaidy Beach where they can scamper, sniff and swim to their heart’s content. Just be aware that if you’re walking along the coast path from Looe to Plaidy, the access can be steep in places.

Hannafore Beach

Another delightfully dog-friendly beach near Looe, Hannafore Beach is great for a family day out, where the little ones can poke their noses in a huge variety of rock pools at low tide, and everyone can enjoy the many facilities within easy reach. For a picnic with a difference, pick up some pasties in Looe before taking them to Hannafore Beach to dine with a view of Looe Island – maybe you can save some crumbs for Fido if he’s been a good boy!

Dog-friendly beaches in the Lizard

Porthallow Beach

This pretty cove, once a popular pilchard fishing spot, has a distinct Cornish charm and plenty of boats still peppering the beach. With no dog restrictions, your furry family member will want to make a beeline for here for off-lead scampers on one of the best dog-friendly beaches on Cornwall’s south coast. Plus, there’s a lovely beach café where dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area, perfect for ice creams in the summer sun or warming winter hot chocolates.

Lankidden Cove

To enjoy walkies on one of the most beautiful dog-friendly beaches in South Cornwall, you’ll have to be prepared for a little extra effort. Lankidden Cove is one of the most picture-perfect Cornish beaches but can only be accessed via a 1-mile walk along the South West Coast Path. You’ll be rewarded by golden sands, turquoise water and not many crowds. A great option for those with high-energy dogs who would love nothing better than a walk before their walk!

Polpeor Beach

Quite possibly the most southerly dog-friendly beach in the UK, Polpeor Beach is found just to the west of Lizard Point. It’s not the easiest beach to get to due to it being the location of a former lifeboat station, and definitely isn’t the place to try out your doggy paddle. But due to its famous location, it should absolutely be on your walkies bucket list.

Rinsey Head Beach

If you don’t know the beach, you may well know the famous landmark that sits on the headland above it – the backdrop of Rinsey Head Beach is dominated by the iconic Wheal Prosper Tin Mine. The small beach can be tricky to get to and isn’t safe for swimming, but it’s a good spot for letting the dog scamper around on the golden sands while taking in the sights of the awe-inspiring mining landscape or exploring the coast path around Praa Sands and Porthleven.

Dog-friendly beaches in St Austell

Par Beach

If you’ve got a pup that likes to run (and run, and run), Par Beach will fast become one of your favourite beaches and, in our opinion, it’s one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall. It may be surprising that four-legged visitors are unrestricted here, due to the beach’s size and popularity with families, but it simply means that none of the pack need to miss out on a day by the seaside. As well as having ample space for pups and kids to run around, the beach is fringed by dunes adding more intriguing scents and trails for your dog to enjoy.

Carlyon Bay

The closest dog-friendly beach to St Austell, Carlyon Bay is popular in the summer months due to its gentle waters, water sports and range of places to eat and drink. It’s a slightly different vibe in winter where the beach is popular with dog walkers, whose four-legged best friends aren’t allowed to visit during the season. With great facilities and almost 2 miles of beach for pups to scamper on, this is one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall out of season.

Porthpean Beach

Just down the coast from Carlyon Bay is Porthpean Beach, a large expanse of shingle beach with calm, gently lapping waters. With fewer dog restrictions than Carlyon Bay, it’s a great option for off-lead adventures outside of July and August, and is often quieter too. Follow the coast path north to Duporth Beach, another great dog-friendly beach in South Cornwall.

Dog-friendly beaches in Marazion

Longrock Beach

Between Marazion and Penzance, Longrock Beach has, as the name would suggest, a long stretch of sand backed by rocks. The South West Coast Path just behind leads in either direction to Marazion and Penzance, and there are plenty of facilities in the village beyond the rocks. While it’s not the prettiest beach in Cornwall, it’s a handy place for a dog walk while taking in views across the water to the spectacular St Michael’s Mount.

Eastern Green Beach

Further towards Penzance than Longrock Beach, Eastern Green is a continuation of the same stretch of sand, except dogs are welcome all year round at this beach. With no seasonal dog ban, and being closer to Penzance, it’s a popular beach for both two and four-legged locals looking for walks, swims and water sports activities within easy reach of the town.

Marazion Beach

Marazion is beloved by holidaymakers and locals alike, with its sheltered beach leading onto the causeway to the famous St Michael’s Mount. Due to the seasonal dog ban, four-legged beach bums can run free on this beach between September and June, and then early morning or late evening sessions in July and August. After tiring out the hound, why not make the most of the range of pubs, cafes and restaurants a stone’s throw from the beach?

Perran Sands/Perranuthnoe Beach

Not to be confused with Perran Sands in North Cornwall, this Perran Sands (or Perranuthnoe Beach) is the closest properly sandy beach to Penzance, making it ideal for dogs who dream of leaving pawprints on the shore on a coastal adventure. Just check the tide times before you go – at high tide, the beach all but disappears so it's best to visit at low tide if you want to give your furry friends a proper walk.  

Dog-friendly beaches in Polperro

Porthcurno Beach

Porthcurno is widely regarded as one of the best beaches in Cornwall, and there’s no reason your dog needs to miss out on the stunning scenery. It welcomes dogs all year, but you will just have to time your visits before 10am or after 6pm in July and August. For those who have more refined Rovers, take a walk up the coast path to the cliffside Minack Theatre, which dogs are welcome to explore during visiting hours if they’re kept on a short lead.

Porthgwarra Beach

You might recognise this picture-perfect spot from Poldark, but it enjoyed relative obscurity until its turn on the small screen. Due to its off-the-beaten-track location, it is still a fairly quiet place for a dog walk amidst the high cliffs and azure waters. With dog restrictions during July and August, make sure you time your visit accordingly so you can enjoy the scenery of one of the best dog-friendly beaches in South West Cornwall.

Full list of dog-friendly beaches in South Cornwall

Map of dog-friendly beaches in South Cornwall

Enjoy a dog-friendly holiday in South Cornwall

With so many beautiful beaches for your pup to sniff out new adventures on, isn’t it time you booked a holiday to South Cornwall? We have a huge range of dog-friendly cottages in South Cornwall within a tail’s wag of the beach – browse our full collection below.