Fishing at Crackington Haven

Cove / beachCornwall🐾 Seasonal daytime dog ban★★☆ family

A dramatic cove between Bude and Boscastle where sand gives way to kelp-covered rock ledges on both flanks — lures for wrasse and pollack off the rocks through summer, bait on the sand for whiting and codling once it cools.

📍 View on the map

What you can catch

Species	Season	Method
Wrasse	May–Sep	Float-fished prawn or crab tight into the kelp gullies on the rock ledges either side of the beach.
Pollack	Apr–Oct	Lure-fished (soft plastics or small metals) around the rock ledges, worked hard on the drop.
Bass	May–Nov	Spun off the rock points, or leger/float-fished straight off the beach on a rising tide.
Mackerel	Jun–Sep	Strung feathers worked from the rock ledges when shoals push in close.
Whiting / Codling	Oct–Feb	Bait fished (worm or fish strip) over clean sandy ground directly off the beach.

Tactics

Fish the rock ledges on either side of the beach for wrasse and pollack in the kelp-filled gullies through summer, then drop down onto the sand in front of the village for winter whiting and codling on simple bait rigs.

Best tide: Mid to high tide for the rock ledges; 2-3 hours either side of low for beach bait fishing on clean sand · Best time: Summer evenings for wrasse/pollack/bass; daylight low tide in winter for whiting and codling

Dogs

Seasonal dog ban 15 May–30 September, 10am–6pm (Blue Flag/Seaside Award restriction period); dogs are allowed on the beach at all other times.

Access & parking

Coombe Barton pay-and-display car park sits right at the top of the beach in the village, with cafes, a pub, shop and toilets a short walk away. Sat-nav: EX23 0JG.Get directions → Family rating: ★★☆ — A proper village car park and facilities sit right by the beach, but Crackington Haven has notorious low-water rip currents — RNLI lifeguards patrol a flagged bathing area from early July to early September.

FAQs

Is Crackington Haven dog friendly?

Dogs are welcome outside the seasonal restriction — from 15 May to 30 September there's a 10am–6pm ban on the beach itself, but they're allowed at all other times.

Are there rip currents at Crackington Haven?

Yes — the beach has a reputation for strong rip currents at low water, which is why RNLI lifeguards patrol a flagged bathing area through summer.

What can you catch at Crackington Haven?

Wrasse and pollack from the rock ledges in summer, bass and mackerel through the warmer months, and whiting or codling from the sand once the water cools.

Nearby marks

Millook Haven · Boscastle Harbour

Last updated 7 July 2026 — sources & disclaimer

Compiled from angling guides, forums and the relevant council's dog byelaws, cross-checked where possible.

Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.