What Porthpean Beach may lack in size, it certainly makes up for in activity. St Austell’s closest beach has an air of the tropics about it on the right day, with its tree-covered cliff backdrop, white sands and crystal clear waters creating a pretty picture for visitors from the local area or much further afield.
Porthpean is in a sheltered spot, so swimming here is safe, although care should be taken as there are no lifeguards on duty. As it’s the closest beach to St Austell, though, it can get busy and since it’s fairly calm out to sea, it also becomes a popular spot for watersports enthusiasts over the summer. It’s a great place to try stand up paddleboarding, snorkelling and even windsurfing out in the bay. You can also try your hand at sailing at the Porthpean Sailing Club, which has a slipway adjoining the beach.
With everything needed on site, it’s easy to spend a day enjoying the rays or swimming in the clear waters at Porthpean, which also has a coffee shop and small store on the beach. If you do get restless, there’s a gentle coastal walk to the lovely Charlestown Harbour in, well, Charlestown that can be done in around 20 minutes.
Porthpean has it all, to be honest. Beautiful scenery, heaps of activities to keep all the family happy and lovely safe waters. It’s not just the closest beach to St Austell. It’s also one of the favourite stretches of sands in the area for locals and visitors.