Watergate Bay to Porth Island circular walk

Watergate Bay to Porth Island

It is critical that you carefully time this walk for low tide: the crossing between beaches at Zacry's Island is underwater except around 2 hours either side of low tide. Once you reach the steps at Whipsiderry, there is no time pressure from this point on.

A circular walk along the beach from Watergate Bay to the sea caves of Whipsiderry and Iron Age hillfort at Trevelgue head, returning past the clifftop tombs of Bronze-Age chieftains, with panoramic views of the Newquay coastline.

Get the app to guide you around the walk

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Download the (free) app then use it to purchase this walk.
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The app will direct you to the start of the walk via satnav.
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The app guides you around the walk using GPS, removing any worries about getting lost.
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The walk route is described with detailed, regularly-updated, hand-written directions.
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Each time there is a new direction to follow, the app will beep to remind you, and will warn you if you go off-route.
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A map shows the route, where you are at all times and even which way you are facing.
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Each walk is packed with information about the history and nature along the route, from over a decade of research than spans more than 3,000 topics.
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Once a walk is downloaded, the app doesn't need wifi or a phone signal during the walk.
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The app counts down distance to the next direction and estimates time remaining based on your personal walking speed.
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We keep the directions continually updated for changes to the paths/landmarks - the price for a walk includes ongoing free updates.

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

The walk begins on the beach at Watergate Bay and follows the sand for over a mile to Whipsiderry. The route then crosses Trevelgue Head to reach the beach at Porth. Here, the route circles the promontory fort on Trevelgue Head, then returns on the coast path past Fruitful Cove with panoramic views over Watergate Bay.

Highlights

  • Walk along 1.5 miles of golden sandy beach
  • Large caves and rockpools at Whipsiderry beach
  • Bronze Age fort and blowhole at Trevelgue Head
  • Panoramic views from the coast path
  • Birds of prey, seabirds and marine life

Considerations

  • The beach crossing at Zacry's Island involves negotiating an area of boulders, and rock platform with rockpools.
  • Route includes paths close to unfenced cliff edges.

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Vital statistics

  • OS Explorer: 106
  • Distance: 4.1 miles/6.6 km
  • Steepness grade: Easy-moderate
  • Recommended footwear: Sandals in summer; wellies in winter
  • No stiles: ✓
  • Pub: ✓
  • Café: ✓

OS maps for this walk

OS Explorer 106 OS Explorer 106 (laminated version)

Click or tap on map for more info (blue=laminated)

Pubs on or near the route

  • The Mermaid Inn

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

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