The Best Wild Swimming Locations in Cornwall

We’ve handpicked some of the best wild swimming spots so you can enjoy the best of Cornwall during your visit. Including north coast, south coast and inland locations, you’ve got your pick of the county.

Summerleaze and Bude Sea Pool

Found in north Cornwall, just a stone’s throw from Devon, Summerleaze is a family favourite. Thanks to its easy access to the sea, extensive sandy beach and lifeguards in the summer months, it makes for a safe and inviting wild swimming spot.¹ But what makes this already epic stretch of sand all the more exciting, is the huge sea pool which is carved into the back of it. Free for all to enjoy, Bude Sea Pool provides a sanctuary for swimmers when big waves hit the shoreline, with ladders for easy access. Avoid at high tide when waves wash over the walls² and park at the long stay car park just a two-minute walk away for the most convenient option.

See: Summerleaze Beach Guide

Perranporth Beach

Not far from the surfing town of Newquay, Perranporth is a three-mile stretch of sandy beach – offering plenty of space for tying your wild swim in with a full on beach day.³ Backed by a car park, pub, ice cream shops and places to buy your beach essentials, you can have the full bucket and spade experience – all whilst taking in endless views of the Atlantic.⁴ When it comes to swimming, it’s best to choose Perranporth on days when there aren’t waves. But if you can’t wait there’s a tiny tidal pool you can swim in at low tide on Chapel Rock (easily identified by the Cornish flag stuck in it).³ It’s not the biggest – more like a plunge pool – but it gives you an unbeatable viewpoint for watching the surfers shredding.

Carbis Bay

Carbis Bay offers a quiet arch of white sand, with turquoise waters backed by subtropical plants. Jump on a 7-minute train from St Erth to reach it, which is one of the most scenic train journeys in the UK. Or, make the one mile walk from St Ives via the South West Coast Path to really soak up the setting.⁵ Backed by cliffs, Carbis Bay is a sun trap, sheltered from most of the swell and wind – and it’s lifeguarded – making it a safe wild swimming option for families and children.⁶ For a greater exploration of the Cornish coastline, make your way east along the coast path for more views overlooking St Ives Bay, or you can hire a kayak or stand up paddleboard to explore the beach’s rocky inlets from a more adventurous perspective.⁷.

See: Carbis Bay Beach Guide

Jubilee Pool

For a unique experience, Penzance’s Jubilee Pool is the UK’s largest seawater lido, purpose made for outdoor swimming.⁸ Built in the 1935 in art deco style its quirky architecture is complimented by the magnificent views overlooking Mounts Bay and St Michael’s Mount. There are three pools to choose from – a children’s pool, the main sea pool and an additional pool which is geothermally heated to 30°C. There’s also a café, onsite sauna and massage therapy facilities.⁸ You can swim at all states of the tide because a sea wall protects you from waves and currents – and there are lifeguards to ensure a safe swimming experience.⁹

Gyllyngvase Beach

A firm favourite with wild swimmers year round, Gyllyngvase is just a fifteen-minute walk from Falmouth town centre.¹⁰ Here you’ll find sand that gently shelves into the ocean making for an easy entry and exit, which is perfect for beginners.¹¹ Gyllyngvase is sheltered from weather most days of the year and you can swim there at all states of the tide – though at high tide there’s also the opportunity to go snorkelling over the rocky reefs.¹¹ At low tide, these reefs become rock pools giving you an insight to local marine life from dry land.¹² Gyllyngvase also has excellent amenities with the beach just a one minute walk from the car park, disabled toilets and a ramp and path that lead to the back of the sand.¹³

See: Gyllyngvase Beach Guide

Goldiggins Quarry

For an inland wild swimming experience, park at Minions and make the mile-long walk through Bodmin Moor to Goldiggins Quarry. As you stroll through the moorland you’ll pass livestock including sheep, horses and cattle. The water here is colder than the Cornish coastline as it’s fresh water fed from a spring. It’s perfectly clear and you can see small fish gracefully swimming. Popular with families on warmer days, Goldiggins provides a safer and more controlled swimming environment than the coast and the rocks and grass around it are great for sunbathing.¹¹

National Trust Trelissick

If you’d like to tie your wild swim in with a wild swimming walk, National Trust Trelissick offers 400 acres of woodland, parkland and garden trails with a private beach at the bottom.¹⁴ A sheltered estuary location, with a small stretch of sand it’s also dog-friendly meaning the whole family can join in the fun.¹⁵ Park in the car park and walk fifteen minutes down the hill, past the fields of cattle and livestock and for your efforts you’ll be rewarded with a peaceful wild swimming spot.¹⁶ There’s also a house to explore and longer walks to enjoy around the park and woodland should you want to.

Readymoney Cove

Near the entrance to the mouth of the River Fowey, Readymoney Cove is protected from wind and waves year round. A small, sandy beach backed by cliffs it has pleasant views over the Fowey Estuary and towards the crumbling ruins of Catherine’s castle which is perched on the headland.¹⁷ In the summer months, a swimming area is marked out by buoys and a swimming platform is a welcome addition. Visit at low tide when there’s more sand available and you can explore the rock pools.¹⁸ Just a five minute walk from the centre of Fowey, tie your swim in with an exploration of one of Cornwall’s favourite towns – where you’ll discover cobbled streets lined with independent shops and Victorian and Edwardian architecture.¹⁹ It also has literary connections to Daphne du Maurier and Rosamund Pilcher, with the surrounding landscapes being where the writers drew inspiration from.²⁰

A Guide to Wild Swimming in Cornwall

To discover more wild swimming locations, A Guide to Wild Swimming in Cornwall provides an extensive guide for exploring the best swimming spots throughout the county. Written by local wild swimmers, the book includes 54 locations, each with information on tides, safety, amenities and where to park, meaning discovering the best places to swim in Cornwall has never been easier. The guide also includes information on the benefits of cold water swimming, equipment and how to stay safe – and is the perfect accompaniment for swimmers of any level.²¹

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re headed in search of north coast tidal pools, serene river dips or family-friendly days out on the beach – Cornwall has it all when it comes to wild swimming. Which spot are you headed to during your next visit?