Maenporth

UK, United Kingdom

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Maenporth is a beautiful crescent-shaped sandy cove and beach on the south coast of Cornwall, England, located about 2 miles south of Falmouth town center on the Cornish south coast.

Pronounced "main-porth," it is an east-facing beach sheltered from prevailing westerly winds, making it ideal for young swimmers, paddlers, kayakers, and rockpooling at low tide when the shallow inlet reveals plenty of rock pools. The beach offers excellent family facilities including a beach cafe, car parking behind the beach (charging £3-£6 per day in summer), public toilets, free drinking water, and watersports hire for kayaking, sailing, and scuba diving.

It is a great spot for sunbathing, fishing, and boating, with superb coastal walking opportunities along the South West Coast Path that connects it to nearby Gyllyngvase Beach and Swanpool Beach, plus superb views across Falmouth Bay toward Pendennis Castle. The shipwreck of the "Ben Asdale" can be spotted offshore and is often explored by divers, and the beach has facilities for launching boats.

Dogs are welcome except during July and August between 10am and 6pm when a seasonal dog ban is in place, and the beach gets fairly busy in summer mornings but can be quiet out-of-season.