A sandy and sheltered south facing family beach that is popular in the summer. Close to the harbour of Portscatho, it is owned by the National Trust.
TR2 5EW - From the A3078 to St. Mawes, at Trewithian follow the road signposted to Portscatho and Gerrans. After 1.5kms, turn left to Portscatho and again on the left is a car park (capacity about 85 cars). There are two footpaths that lead from the car park across fields to the Coast Path (100m) and then by going north for 200m there is a flight of steps to the beach. Alternatively, the beach can be approached by turning off the A3078 at Trewithian along the road signposted to Rosevine which ends up as a slipway to the beach a distance of 2.7kms; there is a limited amount of roadside parking which provides an easy access for the less mobile but care needs to be taken not to obstruct the road.
A small strip of sand above high water changes to a wonderful flat sandy beach at low water which extends for over200m at its widest point. At the northerly end towards Pednavadan headland it is rocky and likewise to the south where the foreshore leads to Portscatho Harbour and can easily be reached at low water. A small stream crosses the beach.
There is no safety equipment but under most conditions it is fairly safe for swimming especially on a rising tide. It is not a surfing beach. The use of inflatables when the wind is offshore is not recommended.
At high water there is excellent snorkelling towards Pednavadan and also southwards to Bass Rock. At low water there are numerous interesting rock pools at both extremities of the beach.
Dogs are permitted all year. There are toilets and a small beach shop and cafe reached by a short flight of steps above the beach which are open in summer. There are more facilities at nearby Portscatho 600m along the Coast Path.
The slipway at Rosevine is the remnant of the road that used to cross the beach to Portscatho before coast erosion took its toll. The water quality is excellent and the beach clean. It is a very appealing beach especially at low water.
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