Porthkidney Sands

A long, largely undeveloped sandy beach at the mouth of the Hayle Estuary near Lelant, with a footpath from St Uny Church and very limited road parking.

Beach & safety

Water quality: Good

Lifeguard: seasonal (RNLI, summer, near the Hayle estuary end)

Hazards: dangerous currents near the River Hayle mouth,no facilities,tide goes out a long way exposing large expanses of sand

Dogs

Unofficial source: View the supporting source →Not an authority; check current signage.

Family

Very limited road parking and no facilities on the beach itself; a mile of largely deserted sand, quieter than the main St Ives beaches.

Fishing

Porthkidney is a wide, shallow surf and estuary-edge fishery with shifting sandbars and tidal gullies. Bass and flatfish use the flood and channel edges, winter brings whiting, and turbot can occur over clean sand. The powerful main estuary channel requires conservative positioning from dry sand.

Species reported: Bass, Plaice, flounder and Dover sole, Turbot, Whiting

Crabbing

not recommended — No protected line-crabbing edge exists in the researched beach zone; the estuary mouth is too exposed and fast-flowing for promotion.

Access & parking

Very limited roadside parking near Lelant; footpath from St Uny Church (lead required on the path). Sat-nav: TR26 3GN. Get directions →