Whitsand Bay

Whitsand Bay stretches for roughly 3 miles along the south coast of the Rame Peninsula, from Portwrinkle in the west to Rame Head in the east. The beach is backed by unstable cliffs up to 300 feet high, accessed by steep paths and steps at several points along its length - Tregantle, Sharrow, and Freathy being the most used. The sand is broad at low tide but largely covered at high water, so timing visits around the tides is important. The bay faces south and picks up Atlantic swell, making it popular with surfers who prefer quieter lineups than north Cornwall’s main breaks.

The coast path runs along the cliff top above the beach, with the section toward Rame Head offering clear views to the Eddystone Lighthouse, about 10 miles offshore. The former military fort at Tregantle sits on the cliff above the western end of the bay - parts of the beach below are occasionally closed for military firing practice, with red flags displayed when active. Portwrinkle, at the western end, has a small harbour and the Whitsand Bay Hotel.

Holiday properties along Whitsand Bay range from cliff-top chalets and lodges at Freathy and Tregonhawke to larger houses in the villages above. Many have panoramic sea views. The bay’s relative remoteness - there is no through road along the beach, and access is via narrow lanes from the B3247 - keeps it less crowded than comparable beaches in Cornwall. Millbrook is about 3 miles northeast for supplies, and Plymouth is accessible via the Torpoint ferry, roughly 20 minutes from the eastern end of the bay.