Enjoy a 360º virtual tour of Hayle Beach famed for its three miles of golden sand and regarded as an international quality bird-watching spot.
I was driving by as the sun was rising so I parked up at Harveys Towans car park and just went for a wonder, I only had a short time spare, so was just hoping to catch a photo of the sunrise from the beach. The beach is huge, backed by a large area of sand dunes and when the tides out it stretches 3 miles to Godrevy. It’s so vast I imagine it rarely gets crowded leaving plenty of room for everyone to enjoy. It’s great for dog walking, however there is a dog ban during the summer months. There is the Lula shack on the North Quay for facilities, it was a shame I didn’t have time to walk around to the main tourist side at the bluff which is where you’ll find more facilities and the bluff pub.
Situated on the opposite side of St Ives Bay, Hayle Beach is the start of a three mile stretch of sand that consists of 8 beaches from Hayle Beach at the Estuary, Mexico Towan, The Towans, Upton Towans, Peter’s Point, Gwithian Beach, Gwithian Towans and Godrevy Towans all along the South West Coastal Path.
- The mouth of the estuary is regarded as an international quality bird-watching spot. Sightings include Avocets, Ospreys and a host of wading birds.
- Lifeguards patrol the Towans Beach during Summer.
- Gwithian is a popular surfing beach and has a decent sized swell.
- Godrevy Point with the lighthouse on an island about 50 metre out to sea.
- Hayle town is divided into two districts, Copperhouse and Foundry. Both these names reflect Hayle’s industrial heritage which dates back to trading tin with the phoenicians over 2000 years ago.
Deep shelving beach
Large breaking waves
Strong currents
Strong winds
Surfers
Tidal cut-off
There is a long history of settlement in the Hayle Estuary area dating from the Bronze Age, the modern town of Hayle was built predominantly during the 18th century industrial revolution. Hayle estuary was a safe harbour for all types of sea going craft. The small port which developed in the estuary was to become one of the busiest in Cornwall. From its wharves and quays, goods and machinery from Hayle’s foundries and the area’s mines were exported worldwide and along the same wharves and quays ships were launched and decommissioned.
- Fishing
- Kayaks
- Kitesurfing
- Millennium Sundial
- Paddle boarding
- Rockpooling
- Sailing
- Sea Canoeing
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Bluff Inn
- Cove Cafe
- Lula Shack
Access is easy from the farthest end of the car park with a slope down to the beach.
Harveys Towans car park TR27 5AS. Drive across the bridge along North Quay and park at Harveys Towans. Alternatively On the B3301 where signposted to Phillack and The Towans. Follow this road through Phillack to the car park at The Towans. There are also car parks in Hayle town.
- Bus, The nearest stop is St Elwyn’s Church, then it’s a 10 minute walk across the bridge and North Quay to Hayle Beach.
- Car, There are a few car parks to choose from, Harveys Towans or Hayle Beach (Near the Bluff Inn).
- Walking, The South West Coastal Path runs past the beach.
- Lifeguards: Only at Gwithian Beach during the Summer months.
- Potential Hazards: Strong currents, Large breaking waves, Tidal cut-off, Deep shelving beach & Strong Winds.
- Avoid swimming in or near the estuary where there are dangerous currents.
- Beach cleaned daily during the summer.
- Dogs are banned on the beach from Harveys Towans to Black Cliff from 1st July to 31st August (10am to 6pm).
- Public Toilets: at the Towans near the Bluff Inn.
- Type: Sandy
- Get £25 off your first Airbnb trip of £55 or more click here.
Insta360 X4
KanDao QooCam 3
Ricoh Theta Z1
If you found this helpful, please like and follow my social pages
189
229
823
253
48
