Harlyn Bay was described by the Sunday Times as a “hidden gem” and considered one of the best and safest family beaches in Cornwall.

Located just 3 miles from Padstow, Harlyn beach is a wide expanse of yellow sand backed by dunes. There is ample parking at the beach, toilets and array of food outlets to cater
for every need. If you fancy a sundowner drink overlooking the spectacular beach there are a choice of venues serving food & alcohol. Harlyn is also a dog friendly beach, one of only a handful in the area.

The crescent shaped bay is popular with surfers, paddleboarders and kayakers. Harlyn Surf School has had a base there since 1994 and is the original surf school having now expanded into offering surfing,
coasteering, sit on top kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. To compliment these activities, they also have a great range of hire kit from surfboards, wetsuits, bodyboards, kayaks and paddleboards. Their fantastic team of instructors are highly trained and guarantee to provide a memorable watersports experience. Harlyn Surf School also provide a beach wheelchair free of charge (small donation to charity please). Their office is right on the beach, so not far to walk for your activities!

Waves Surf School also offer surf lessons at Harlyn.  Located on the North Cornwall coast between Newquay and Padstow they are fortunate to be licensed by Cornwall Council to surf a selection of beaches. Most are within close proximity to accommodation around the Padstow area.  This allows them to find you the best waves on any given day. Book in and they will arrange the lessons where the waves are best for you!  Waves Surf School provide the equipment & wetsuits suited to the water temperature throughout the year. So whether you want group or private lessons on your own or you would like to share the fun with friends or family they can cater for your needs.

For those who may not wish to take part in watersports there’s a fascinating combination of rocky shorelines, sand dunes and tide pools to explore and the beautiful bay is also an unbeatable location to just chill and take in the view. From the beach you can walk along to the RNLI Padstow Lifeboat Station just beyond Mother Ivey’s Bay. In 1962 the Lifeboat Station at Hawker’s Cove near Padstow was decommissioned and replaced with one at Trevose Head. In 2006, the latest Life Boat station was built to accommodate the Spirit of Padstow which was placed on service shortly after. Although the station
is not open to visitors, you can go down and watch the Wednesday evening training launches at 6pm. Please contact the station on 01841 520667 for more information.
Further on it is possible to get to Trevose Head Lighthouse via the South West Coast Path and then cut back across inland to Harlyn making a very scenic circular walk of approximately an hour and a half.

Perhaps some of you who would just like to take time to still your mind and body, sit for a moment, breathe and relax after an exhilarating day at the beach. There is no better way to do this than to be enveloped in the heat of a sauna, the health benefits alone have inspired Sauna by the Sea to bring these magical moments for you to easily enjoy right on the beach at Harlyn.