An idyllic slice of Cornwall awaits at Praa Sands with its mile-long sandy beach, captivating white sand and turquoise waters. Spend your days soaking up the sun or wait for the next wave with dreamy views in every direction.
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A local’s guide to Praa Sands holidays…
Things to do in Praa Sands
Whether you choose to pronounce it Pray or Prah, this seaside village with its mile long beach is a lovely place to spend your Cornwall holidays on the coast. Set almost midway between the towns of Penzance and Helston, Praa Sands is within easy reach of all the area’s best bits, and with its own sandy mile stretching across its doorstep, there’s plenty on offer to keep you and the kids entertained during your stay.
Escaping to a Praa Sands holiday cottage will evoke memories of summers gone by. A mile-long stretch of glistening white sand awaits, perfect for sandcastle makers and sun-worshippers alike.
The bay is a popular spot for surfers, and families can splash about in the shallows before heading up to one of the beach-based cafes for lunch and an ice-cream. With wonderful views over the coastline on constant display, daytime panoramas feature wide horizons and endless sea, while the evenings offer orange sunsets and pink skies.
Praa Sands Attractions
Boatshed Activity Centre
Set overlooking Praa Sands Beach, The Boatshed offers visitors a range of water-based activities and equipment hire and is bound to have exactly what you need to make the most of your time in the ocean. Explore the Cornish coastline with one of their kayak tours and Monster SUP adventures, or swim, climb and jump your way around the rock systems, caves and waterways of the bay. Qualified instructors are on hand to encourage you every step of the way, and of course ensure that you are briefed, and equipped for safety.
Global Boarders
With bases set up at both Gwithian and Praa Sands, the 17 year old Global Boarders is a well-known Cornish brand, and its 12 strong team of instructors have plenty of experience so you know you’ll be in good hands whether surfing or coasteering with them.
From beginner to intermediate, family to one-on-one surf lessons, anyone can get out into the water for a bit of adventure. The company also offers guided coasteering, where just a short swim, jump and climb will take you to the secret beaches of Kenneggy and Prussia Cove, where you will get to see places that even the locals don’t know about. A range of high quality equipment is available too including wetsuits, surf boards, body boards and SUPs, so you can try a different sport every day if that’s what you feel like doing.
Beaches in Praa Sands
What can we say? Praa Sands beach is fantastic! Clean, safe and great for children, you’ll discover a wealth of rockpools to delight intrepid young explorers and a stream for paddling in if the sea is choppy. For extra peace of mind, the beach is seasonally life guarded and has flags to indicate safe swimming zones, so if you’re hoping to enjoy a relaxing summer’s day out with the family, this is a great place for it.
When conditions favour big waves, Praa Sands beach is a popular destination for surfers. In fact, it’s barrel is billed as ‘The most popular beach break on the South Coast of Cornwall.’ It’s no surprise then that when the surf is up, so are the crowds…but then again, the same could be said for most top surfing spots the world over. When the wind is favourable and the water is on the choppy side, kiteboarders are drawn here too, though probably more suited to the intermediates and experts.
Popular too with bodyboarders, kayakers and Paddleboarders, local lesson and equipment hire companies like Global Boarders Surf School and Stones Reef Boat Shed have set up base right on behind the sand which means that no matter your age or ability, you’ll easily be able to take to the water for a bit of fun.
Restaurants in Praa Sands
Yes it’s true. If you love eating out while you’re on holiday (and let’s face it who doesn’t?), you’ll have the likes of pan-Asian fine dining restaurant Kota in Porthleven, and the trendy Mackerel Sky Seafood Bar in Newlyn to choose from. But if its local (very local) grub you’re after, Praa Sands has a handful of terrific places for you to grab a relaxed bite to eat; and they’re right on the sand!
Stones Reef Beach Bar & Kitchen
Overlooking the beach, Stones Reef Beach Bar and Kitchen is in such a fantastic position that you can literally be wave to table in under 5 minutes. Fuel up after a day out in the water with a coffee and cake, or a burger, salad and fish & chips.
Slipway ice-cream
Kids (and grown ups) will love choosing from 22 flavours of Kelly’s Cornish ice cream while enjoying their time on the beach. Open all year round, they even offer doggie ice-cream so your canines get a treat to cool off too.
Sandbar Restaurant
Chic and modern this bar offers you a super comfortable viewing point over the beach and water. The informal atmosphere is great for families who can enjoy a game of pool or air hockey while waiting for lunch to arrive at the table. Choose from a wide selection of drinks to be enjoyed out on the terrace, along with one of their Mediterranean inspired dishes. Dogs are welcome so if you’ve got four-legged family members with you, they’ll get to enjoy the scenery too.
FAQ’s about Praa Sands
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Is Praa Sands dog-friendly?
Like many popular holiday spots, Praa Sands allows dogs on the beach throughout the year, apart from the high summer season which is 1st July to 31st August (between 10:00am and 6:00pm) during which time there is a dog ban.
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Where is Praa Sands?
Praa Sands sits on the south coast of Cornwall in Mounts Bay, between the towns of Marazion and Porthleven. Other town along the Mounts Bay coastline are Penzance, Newlyn and Mousehole which means it’s within easy reach of St Michael’s Mount and the Minack Theatre in Porthcurno.
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Where’s the best place to park for Praa Sands beach?
Our recommendation would be to use the privately owned car park at Maggie’s Patch (TR20 9TG) as it offers overnight parking and allows both campervans and motor homes. Customers rate it highly for friendly staff and low prices too.
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