Porthoustock

A pebble-and-shingle beach on the sheltered eastern Lizard, close to the Manacles reef, with a car park right on the beach and a former stone-quarrying quay.

Beach & safety

Water quality: Excellent

Lifeguard: none

Hazards: no lifeguard cover,shipwreck reef (the Manacles) offshore, popular with divers,take care not to obstruct local fishing boats when parking

Amenities: toilets · free parking (~100 vehicles)

Dogs

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

Family

Free parking for around 100 vehicles right at the back of the beach, with toilets; quiet, working shoreline rather than a polished tourist beach.

Fishing

Deep mixed ground close to shore supports bass, pollack, wrasse, pouting, dogfish and summer mackerel. Thornback ray and larger rough-ground species are possible from appropriate positions, but the Manacles-facing coast is exposed and technical.

Species reported: Pollack and ballan wrasse, Bass, Pouting and dogfish, Mackerel and garfish, Thornback ray

Crabbing

not recommended — No safe family edge was verified on this working, steep-shingle cove.

Access & parking

Car park directly behind the beach. Sat-nav: TR12 6QW. Get directions →