Ali & Nicks Guide to Hayle
Beaches
The Bluff/Harveys Towans is a stunning location within walking distance from Limpet Lodge. The most gorgeous views across St Ives Bay through to Godrevy Light House.
Dog restrictions apply in season (1ST July - 31st August) between Hayle river and Black Cliffs, but before 10am and after 6pm it is very dog friendly. The sunsets from this location are stunning.
Kitesurfing for independent riders is permitted all year round with a Bluff pass available from the local surf shop. Parking charges apply in season, if you are a kitesurfer and have a bluff pass & carpark ticket, the parking is free. Access to the southwest coastal path and the stunning 3 miles of golden sands.
Lifeguard cover is provided from the 1st of May until the 26th of September. (2021) Part of the Towans are adjacent to the river estuary where you should avoid swimming due to dangerous currents.
Harveys Towans Car Park
13 Harveys TowansThe Bluff/Harveys Towans is a stunning location within walking distance from Limpet Lodge. The most gorgeous views across St Ives Bay through to Godrevy Light House.
Dog restrictions apply in season (1ST July - 31st August) between Hayle river and Black Cliffs, but before 10am and after 6pm it is very dog friendly. The sunsets from this location are stunning.
Kitesurfing for independent riders is permitted all year round with a Bluff pass available from the local surf shop. Parking charges apply in season, if you are a kitesurfer and have a bluff pass & carpark ticket, the parking is free. Access to the southwest coastal path and the stunning 3 miles of golden sands.
Lifeguard cover is provided from the 1st of May until the 26th of September. (2021) Part of the Towans are adjacent to the river estuary where you should avoid swimming due to dangerous currents.
Mexico Towans/Sandy Acres forms part of a glorious three miles of sand, that starts from the mouth of the Hayle estuary and reaches out to the lighthouse at Godrevy Point.
Situated between Hayle Towans and Gwithian Towans, the beach is backed by magnificent sand dunes, known as 'towans'.
There is a cafe at the top where the carpark is. This carpark is cash only and the machine is on the way to the carpark you will see it as you start to drive in to the dunes its on the right hand side by the gate. Stunning views are afforded of St Ives bay. Its a steep arduous walk back up the dunes from the beach so make sure you take everything with you that you want for the day. This part of the beach is dog friendly all year round. A very popular spot for kitesurfing.
Lifeguards are on duty here from 15th May to the 26th September as well as on neighbouring beaches. (2021)
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mexico Towans Beach
Mexico Towans/Sandy Acres forms part of a glorious three miles of sand, that starts from the mouth of the Hayle estuary and reaches out to the lighthouse at Godrevy Point.
Situated between Hayle Towans and Gwithian Towans, the beach is backed by magnificent sand dunes, known as 'towans'.
There is a cafe at the top where the carpark is. This carpark is cash only and the machine is on the way to the carpark you will see it as you start to drive in to the dunes its on the right hand side by the gate. Stunning views are afforded of St Ives bay. Its a steep arduous walk back up the dunes from the beach so make sure you take everything with you that you want for the day. This part of the beach is dog friendly all year round. A very popular spot for kitesurfing.
Lifeguards are on duty here from 15th May to the 26th September as well as on neighbouring beaches. (2021)
Blasted by the breeze off the Atlantic, the magnificent beach at Gwithian Towans is always a colourful scene of kitesurfers windsurfers and surfers on the water landyachts on the beach.
Backed by sand dunes tufted with wild grass, at low tide there is a vast amount of sand to enjoy and large areas of rock pools are uncovered, which are great for kids to explore.
The beach is our favourite destination for Kitesurfing and surfing as the constant swell coming in from the ocean provides good all year round conditions. Common seals are a regular sight near the beach and the area is a breeding ground for colonies of seabirds such as guillemots, razorbills and cormorants.
Access to the beach is along a path through the sand dunes from the car park.
Full lifeguard cover from the 1st of May until the 26th of September along most of the beach. At the northern end lifeguard cover continues at weekends and for all of October half-term (2021).
Gwithian provides consistent, quality waves suitable for all surfing abilities. It conveniently gets gradually bigger the further towards Godrevy you go - so you can find a wave to suit your ability. On a good day expect long walling lefts and rights with the possiblility of a few barrels thrown in at low tide. Optimum conditions are medium sized north coast swell and southerly round to easterly winds (south east is directly offshore).
52 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gwithian
Blasted by the breeze off the Atlantic, the magnificent beach at Gwithian Towans is always a colourful scene of kitesurfers windsurfers and surfers on the water landyachts on the beach.
Backed by sand dunes tufted with wild grass, at low tide there is a vast amount of sand to enjoy and large areas of rock pools are uncovered, which are great for kids to explore.
The beach is our favourite destination for Kitesurfing and surfing as the constant swell coming in from the ocean provides good all year round conditions. Common seals are a regular sight near the beach and the area is a breeding ground for colonies of seabirds such as guillemots, razorbills and cormorants.
Access to the beach is along a path through the sand dunes from the car park.
Full lifeguard cover from the 1st of May until the 26th of September along most of the beach. At the northern end lifeguard cover continues at weekends and for all of October half-term (2021).
Gwithian provides consistent, quality waves suitable for all surfing abilities. It conveniently gets gradually bigger the further towards Godrevy you go - so you can find a wave to suit your ability. On a good day expect long walling lefts and rights with the possiblility of a few barrels thrown in at low tide. Optimum conditions are medium sized north coast swell and southerly round to easterly winds (south east is directly offshore).
Godrevy is at the far north-eastern end of three miles of golden sand stretching from Hayle. Owned by the National Trust, it takes the brunt of the Atlantic swell and is one of the more exposed beaches of the North coast. From buckets and spades on sunny summer days to classic rugged Cornish splendour on a stormy winter's day, Godrevy offers the ultimate outdoor experience.
The sandy beach at Godrevy is connected to Gwithian beach at lower tides to create an impressive stretch of sand. Remember to check the time of high water as hundreds of metres of sand all but disappear at high tide so don't get caught out. The beach terminates with a low rocky headland and the famous Godrevy lighthouse (of Virginia Woolfe's To The Lighthouse fame) on an island just off the coast. A cafe, hidden amongst the dunes beside the car park, provides drinks and snacks, we highly recommend the cafe in the National Trust carpark.
Godrevy is owned and looked after by the National Trust and is able to care and conserve areas like this, thanks to their members, volunteers and donors. Car park free to National Trust members. No overnight camping allowed.
Lifeguard cover from the 15th of May until the 26th of September (2021).
Please note: Dogs are welcome on this beach except during July and August (10am - 6pm) when a seasonal dog ban is in place. (2021)
58 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Godrevy
Godrevy is at the far north-eastern end of three miles of golden sand stretching from Hayle. Owned by the National Trust, it takes the brunt of the Atlantic swell and is one of the more exposed beaches of the North coast. From buckets and spades on sunny summer days to classic rugged Cornish splendour on a stormy winter's day, Godrevy offers the ultimate outdoor experience.
The sandy beach at Godrevy is connected to Gwithian beach at lower tides to create an impressive stretch of sand. Remember to check the time of high water as hundreds of metres of sand all but disappear at high tide so don't get caught out. The beach terminates with a low rocky headland and the famous Godrevy lighthouse (of Virginia Woolfe's To The Lighthouse fame) on an island just off the coast. A cafe, hidden amongst the dunes beside the car park, provides drinks and snacks, we highly recommend the cafe in the National Trust carpark.
Godrevy is owned and looked after by the National Trust and is able to care and conserve areas like this, thanks to their members, volunteers and donors. Car park free to National Trust members. No overnight camping allowed.
Lifeguard cover from the 15th of May until the 26th of September (2021).
Please note: Dogs are welcome on this beach except during July and August (10am - 6pm) when a seasonal dog ban is in place. (2021)
SUP'ing
Places to SUP
Hayle Harbour a great place to SUP at high tide. The best place to launch your SUP's is North Quay either at the end of the Quay next to Lula or at the Harbour Masters Slipway house, you can park your cars either in the Harvey Towans/Bluff carpark or on the road to the carpark if you can find a space.
There are a few areas to avoid which should be bouyed/marked of but aren't always. I have marked them in the pictures. The 3 Areas are marked in RED: Copperhouse Pool lock gate. Curnsew Pool lock gate and the sluice area for Curnsew Pool.
Areas marked in Green are road parking. The Blue area is the best place for launching your SUPS.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Harbour View
24 Arwenack StHayle Harbour a great place to SUP at high tide. The best place to launch your SUP's is North Quay either at the end of the Quay next to Lula or at the Harbour Masters Slipway house, you can park your cars either in the Harvey Towans/Bluff carpark or on the road to the carpark if you can find a space.
There are a few areas to avoid which should be bouyed/marked of but aren't always. I have marked them in the pictures. The 3 Areas are marked in RED: Copperhouse Pool lock gate. Curnsew Pool lock gate and the sluice area for Curnsew Pool.
Areas marked in Green are road parking. The Blue area is the best place for launching your SUPS.
Sightseeing
Copperhouse Pool/ King George V Memorial walk (approximately 3km looped walk from Limpet Lodge.
The Yellow alternative route is for when its high tide you cannot go over the river unless you want to swim.
Copperhouse
Copperhouse Pool/ King George V Memorial walk (approximately 3km looped walk from Limpet Lodge.
The Yellow alternative route is for when its high tide you cannot go over the river unless you want to swim.
6 Mile Long High Tide Cliff, Sand dune walk from Limpet Lodge. If the tides out you can walk on the beach for the cliff part marked in yellow
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Towans
6 Mile Long High Tide Cliff, Sand dune walk from Limpet Lodge. If the tides out you can walk on the beach for the cliff part marked in yellow