Are there any beaches on Cornwall where the sea is particularly dangerous ?

[LovelyYellowLabrador]

And best avoided

Thinking of going to kyxannce cove
Porth curno
St ives
Carbis bay

Excise any typos

Did think of going to peen vounder but looks dangerous getting down to it

It scares me all along the north coast! I was in Lelant last year and there was quick sand/falling cliffs/rip tides/strong currents etc. I'm on the south coast of Cornwall and it's so tame here in comparison!

Perranporth is often underestimated. Strong rips and fast tides into caves that can leave you quickly cut off. Also be mindful of mining shafts when climbing if no visibility ahead.

The sea is dangerous full stop. Yes it is more dangerous in places but just because someone on here says x beach is safe does not mean it will be safe on the day you visit. What are you planning to do in the sea?

Porthcurno not pleasant despite it being a gorge beach - very deep shelf just by water

If you're going in the summer stick to lifeguard beaches and don't swim when the red and yellow flags aren't up.

There is no such thing as a safe or dangerous beach. The sea is dangerous and should be treated with great respect!

Porthcurno has a steep shelf. I only let the children paddle there.

Kynance is beautiful but no lifeguard, absolutely rammed in summer and little to no beach at high tide. Having said that it's my fave beach but you have to time it right with the tide and avoid crowds. I do swim there though.

The north coast can be rough, south coast not so strong, but all beaches have their dangers.
Go to beaches with lifeguards and stick between the flags.
Lots of the Cornish beaches can be tricky to access with rocky and/or steep paths. We tend to avoid these with small children, but the safer areas will always be busy!

Most of the beaches on the North coast are dangerous for swimming. My dd got pulled out on one of the beaches and it was so scary. The rip tides are so strong. If you go to kayance cove when the tide out there is a pool created that kids play in, much safer than the sea. Bude also has a man made sea pool. We have bodyboarded off widemouth but again there are rip tides and strong waves.

Porthcurno is dangerous - the shelf is close to the beach and the drop catches you by surprise. Waves can get very heavy there too - I got stuck under waves there many moons ago and my Dad saw me struggling which is the only reason I'm here now.

The cliff to Pedn Voundr is definitely dodgy these days unless you're a good climber. Not great for kids.

St Ives and Carbis Bay are bigger, flatter beaches. No shelves.

All sea has the potential to be dangerous. If you are planning to swim, surf, paddle-board or whatever in it you need to educate yourself about sea safety and I would highly recommend undertaking a course such as H20 training school which will teach you a lot about tides, currents, rips, wind, swell etc
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I swim in the sea on a regular basis and have a healthy respect for it, it can catch out even the most experienced swimmer or surfer unawares. There are very strong currents all along the Cornish coast line but that doesn't mean you should never visit the coast, just educate yourself. You might find the magic seaweed app helpful.

Of course all the beaches are dangerous but some can be a lot worse than others like quick sand, know for rip tides
Deep drops
Beaches that get cut off etc
Surely it’s wise to ask about before you go to a beach you’ve never been to before

Porthcurno can have pretty tall waves. Not ideal for small children. Some of the beaches around St Ives are good. Hayle beach is brilliant.

This feels like the start of an Agatha Christie. Are you looking to get rid of a certain person, @LovelyYellowLabrador?

Perhaps check out the local Bluetit Facebook pages for lots of local knowledge on these beaches?

The trouble is that any beach can become dangerous depending on so many factors. No one day is the same as the next. It's not that simplistic. It really depends on what you want to do? If you want good surf then you will want to stick to the north coast and conditions are likely to be less predictable and change on a daily basis. Stick to beaches that have lifeguards unless you are very experienced is probably the best advice.

You can get cut off at Kynance so be careful there.

It is absolutely beautiful though and well worth a visit.

Surely it’s wise to ask about before you go to a beach you’ve never been to before
Yes it is always wise to ask but it is also wise to do your own risk assessment when you get there. What is it you are planning to do in the sea as this will have a big impact on what beaches would be more or less suitable. If in any doubt at all only use a lifeguarded beach. If there is no lifeguard always have 1 adult on shore whose sole responsibility is keeping their eyes on whoever is in the sea.

We spent all our holidays at Carbis Bay when we were children. I cannot remember any problems there because it’s a wide flat beach . Porth Curno is beautiful but has a steep shelf . I do remember lifeguards there though .

Oh I ment to say Newquay too

When I giggled this loe bar came up as one to not ever ever swim at

Gwithian has a pool which I used to play in as kid rather than the sea, a lot warmer too.
Can get cut off though depending where you sit... I'm remember having to climb up a steep ledge once but if you stick near the steps and are sensible, you should be fine

There's a fierce rip at Crantock sometimes.