Popular Cornish Beaches Lose RNLI Lifeguard Cover This Weekend – Is Yours Affected?

As summer draws to a close, 24 of the 90 RNLI lifeguarded beaches in the south west will end their peak season patrols this Sunday 7th September, including several well-known spots in Cornwall.

The RNLI is urging anyone heading to the coast to check which beaches still have cover and to choose a lifeguarded beach where possible.

👉 Check which beaches are currently covered here

Patrols Ending This Sunday

For Cornwall, the following beaches will see their last day of RNLI lifeguard patrols on Sunday 7th September:

• Freathy

• Polurrian Cove

• Gunwalloe

• Porthleven

• Marazion

• Lusty Glaze

• Mexico Towans

• Porthkidney

• Carbis Bay

• Crackington Haven

• Northcott

Elsewhere in the south west, patrols will also end this weekend at:

• Dorset: Greenhill, Lyme Regis, West Bay

• Somerset: Burnham on Sea, Brean

• Devon: Sandy Bay, Budleigh Salterton, Dawlish Warren, Teignmouth, Hope Cove, Blackpool Sands, Slapton Sands, Bigbury on Sea

RNLI Reflects on a Busy Season

Henry Saddler-Irvine, RNLI Regional Lifeguard Lead for the South West, said:

“This Sunday marks the end of our peak lifeguard season for 2025. I’d like to thank our lifeguards for their hard work over the entire season keeping people safe whilst they enjoy the coast. Our teams have shown immense dedication and skill in responding to numerous incidents and giving critical care to people who have found themselves in difficulty.

Towards the end of peak season, we saw our teams respond with competence and professionalism to the challenges presented by Storm Erin, and successfully kept beachgoers safe from the dangerous swell that hit the coast. It is also testament to our supervisors and trainers who work incredibly hard to make sure our lifeguards are best prepared for the season no matter how unpredictable the conditions.

In addition, I’d like to thank all the local authorities and private beach owners for whom we provide a world-class lifesaving service every year.”

Where to Find Lifeguard Cover in September

The RNLI stresses that safety cover continues on 66 beaches across the south west beyond this weekend. In Cornwall, lifeguards will remain on duty at a number of beaches into September, with patrols running until either 28th September or 2nd November depending on the location.

Until 28th September, Cornish beaches with cover include:
Seaton, Sharrow, Tregantle, Poldhu Cove, Kennack, Gyllyngvase, Perranuthnoe, Great Western, Tolcarne, Porth, Portreath, St Agnes, Perran Sands, Holywell Bay, Godrevy, Gwithian South, Upton Towans, Beach View, Porthminster, Gwenver, Porthcurno, Porthcothan, Treyarnon, Booby’s, Trevone, Trebarwith, Black Rock, Crooklets and Sandymouth.

Until 2nd November, lifeguards will remain at:
Tregonhawke, Praa Sands, Crantock, Fistral, Towan, Watergate Bay, Mawgan Porth, Porthtowan, Chapel Porth, Perranporth, Gwithian North, Hayle Towans, Porthmeor, Sennen, Constantine, Harlyn, Polzeath, Widemouth and Summerleaze.

With schools back and the summer holidays over, the RNLI is reminding beachgoers to stay safe by choosing a lifeguarded beach where patrols are still running.

👉 See the full list of RNLI lifeguarded beaches

📷RNLI lifeguards at Perranporth beach, Cornwall - Credit: RNLI/Ashton Milton