Carlyon Bay – Hotels on Cornwall’s South Coast

Carlyon Bay lies on Cornwall’s south coast and offers sandy beaches and coastal walks. Carlyon Bay offers several starting points for these activities, which you can prioritize differently when planning your days.

Beaches and coastal paths

Shorthorn is the main beach in Carlyon Bay. Crinnis Beach has a distinctive rocky outcrop, usually called Crinnis Island. These features provide two different landmarks for planning your time at the beach: Shorthorn can be identified as the main beach, while the rocky outcrop stands out at Crinnis Beach. If you use the beach names as your guide, you can easily distinguish between these two areas.

You can also explore the coast on foot: Carlyon Bay offers coastal walks. The South West Coast Path runs between the Carlyon Bay Hotel and the cliffs. This gives you a choice of different priorities for your trip: spending time at the beach or following a specifically named coastal path. Consider whether you would rather plan your days around the beach areas or coastal walks.

Water sports, golf and spa

Cornwall Waverunners offers jet ski safaris throughout the summer. Seasonal dates and operating details may change; check them before making plans. Shoreside in Carlyon Bay offers seasonal water sports as well as local food and drinks. For 2026, seasonal availability may change, so it is advisable to check the latest information before visiting. The offerings have different focuses: jet ski safaris are the specifically named activity at Cornwall Waverunners, while Shoreside combines water sports with local food and drinks.

Carlyon Bay Golf Club has a 6,400-yard, par-72 championship course on the cliffs of Cornwall. The course and clubhouse are open to members and visitors. The length, par and location provide more detail about the golf offering if you are considering including golf in your travel plans.

Carlyon Bay Spa offers spa days with heated indoor and outdoor pools, a poolside sauna, a steam room and a spa bath. Golf and spa offer different options: a visit to the championship course or a spa day with several bathing and heat facilities. Which option better suits your stay depends on which of these activities you plan to enjoy.

Getting there and hotel history

Carlyon Bay is two and a half miles from St Austell railway station and has good parking facilities. If you are considering travelling by train, you can factor the distance to the station into your plans; if you are travelling by car, parking is a separate practical consideration. Check the parking information again before setting off, as facilities may change.

The Carlyon Bay Hotel was built in 1925 as the St Austell Bay Hotel. Its former name and year of construction add a historical connection to the hotel’s story alongside the beaches, coastal paths and leisure activities. When looking for a hotel in Carlyon Bay, you can take into account both the activities you have planned and the different interests that make the area a place to stay.

Discover more destinations: Landewednack, Porkellis, Helston, Lansallos, Porthcurno, Quethiock, Downderry, Brighton.

Return to the main travel overview: Cornwall.