Beach Retreats team
10 June 2025
With 3 miles of golden sand stretching from Rame Head to Portwrinkle, Whitsand Bay feels like one of Cornwall’s best-kept secrets. It’s a beach for the curious: reached by steep, winding paths that tumble down between windswept grasses and cliffside wildflowers. The reward? A sweep of uncrowded sand, rockpools teeming with marine life, and a sense of rugged, off-grid beauty that’s hard to beat.
Discover
- Off-the-beaten-track beach days
- Clifftop walks
- Where to surf or hire equipment
- The best places to eat and drink in Whitsand Bay
- and much more…
Cornwall’s ‘forgotten corner’
Set in Cornwall’s far south east – often known as the county’s “forgotten corner” – Whitsand Bay has a remote feel yet lies close to the lively city of Plymouth, just across the water. Catch the ferry from the nearby town of Cawsand or make a day trip to Looe and Polperro for a taste of the region’s charming harbourside culture. But it’s Whitsand itself that calls to those seeking an unspoilt escape.
Steeped in adventure
Walk the length of the bay at low tide and you’ll find yourself tracing a coastline that feels worlds away from the crowds. Tregonhawke Beach, the section of the beach overlooked by cliffs dotted with tiny cabins, feels particularly remote – traffic-free, wild and wonderful.
Surfers flock here for the reliable swell, and at the water’s edge, Adventure Bay Surf School offers everything from paddleboard tours to equipment hire, so you can dive in year-round without lugging your kit up and down the cliffs.
Image credit: Adventure Bay Surf School
Out to sea, HMS Scylla – an ex-naval frigate sunk in 2004 – rests on the seabed, creating a fascinating artificial reef. It’s a diver’s dream, drawing adventurous souls keen to explore below the surface.
Walks worth wandering
For those who prefer dry land, the South West Coast Path reveals dramatic views at every turn. Head east towards Rame Head for panoramic vistas, or west to discover the sheltered shores of Portwrinkle and Downderry. Along the way, sea pinks cling to the cliffs, painting the rugged landscape with pops of pink.
Food and drink
This is the kind of place to pack a picnic at your cliffside cabin and find a sheltered nook amongst the rocks. If in need of a serious post-surf refuel, the friendly Cliff Top Café serves all-day breakfasts, pancake stacks and smoothies with views of the glittering sea. Or head further along the coast to The View – a gem for grazing boards, organic treats, and a selection of over 30 wines by the glass.
Stay at Whitsand Bay
Whether you’re here for the waves, the walks or the sunsets, Whitsand Bay invites you to slow down, explore and discover its rugged beauty – one step down the cliff path at a time. Stay in one of our ‘beach huts‘ on the cliffside, all with spectacular views and everything you need for a beach getaway.
Whitsand Bay retreats
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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.