Booley Beach, Cornwall: how to visit the quiet cove between Par and Polkerris

Booley Beach in Cornwall is a small, tide-led cove between Par and Polkerris. It is reached from the coast path, has no facilities on the beach itself, and works far better at low tide than high tide.

That is the useful answer before we get carried away.

I would not send everyone to Booley Beach. It is not the easiest beach near Par, and it is not the most convenient beach near Polkerris. I’d use it as a quiet stop on a coastal walk, a low-tide place to explore, or a simple picnic spot if you are travelling light.

If it fits your plans, Booley is a satisfying little find. If you need toilets, food, easy access or a full beach day, you will probably be happier at Par or Polkerris.

Booley Beach is not one to force into the itinerary; it works best when the tide, route and mood line up.

Is Booley Beach worth visiting?

Yes, but only for the right kind of visit.

Go to Booley Beach for: a quiet cove, low-tide sand, rockpools, a stop between Par and Polkerris, or a less obvious stretch of south Cornwall coast.

Think twice if you need: easy parking, toilets, cafés, lifeguards, pushchair-friendly access, or a beach that works well at every state of tide.

The appeal of Booley is its simplicity. The weakness is the same thing. It has charm because it is not over-serviced, but that also means the practical bits shape the day.

Where is Booley Beach?

Booley Beach sits on the south coast of Cornwall, between Par Beach and Polkerris, near St Austell Bay. It is close enough to both neighbouring beaches to work as part of a walk, but it feels quite different from either of them.

Par is broader, flatter and more open. Polkerris has the village-cove feel, with food, drink, toilets and watersports nearby. Booley sits between them as the quieter, rougher-edged option.

That position matters. I would not treat Booley as a standalone destination in the way you might with a bigger beach. I’d treat it as part of the Par to Polkerris stretch of coast.

How to get to Booley Beach

Booley Beach is reached on foot from the coast path, either from Par or Polkerris. There is no car park directly on the beach.

From Polkerris, you can walk towards Par along the coast path and drop down to Booley when you reach the access point. From Par, you can head the other way towards Polkerris and use Booley as a quieter stop before carrying on.

The access down to the beach is not polished or especially forgiving. Expect a stony, uneven route, with stepped or rough sections depending on your approach. This is not a beach I’d choose for pushchairs, wheelchairs, heavy beach gear or anyone who struggles on uneven ground.

If that already sounds like too much faff, that is useful information. Choose Polkerris or Par instead.

What Booley Beach is like at low tide

The tide is the main thing here. At high tide, Booley can have very little usable beach. At low tide, the cove opens out and becomes far more worthwhile.

At its best, Booley has a mix of sand, rocks and reef. The reef on the left-hand side is good for rockpooling when the tide is out, and on very low spring tides the beach can connect with Par Sands. I would treat that as a bonus rather than something to build the whole day around.

After storms, the beach may look more natural than neat. Seaweed, stones and shingle can all appear. If you want clean, soft sand laid out for hours, Booley is not the safest bet. If you like a cove that changes with the tide and still feels a little tucked away, it has more to offer.

Facilities, parking and food nearby

There are no facilities on Booley Beach itself. No toilets, no café, no shop, no lifeguard station and no beachside parking.

That is why the neighbouring beaches matter.

Polkerris is the more useful base for facilities. Around Polkerris you have public toilets, food and drink, a beach shop, watersports facilities and parking options. Nearby places include the Hungry Sailor takeaway café, Sam’s on the Beach and the Rashleigh Inn, although food, drink and parking arrangements can shift with the season.

Par is the easier option if you want a larger beach with more space. It also works better if your group cares more about convenience than finding a smaller cove.

For Booley itself, keep the plan light:

• Arrive on foot
• Aim for low tide
• Bring what you need
• Carry everything back out
• Use Par or Polkerris for facilities

Is Booley Beach dog friendly?

Booley Beach is generally treated as dog friendly, but the practical answer depends on your route. If you are walking from or through Polkerris, remember that Polkerris has seasonal dog restrictions. Par is often the easier beach to factor into a dog walk, but beach rules can change and local signs take priority.

For a dog-friendly Booley plan, I would keep it simple: avoid making Polkerris beach time the main part of the route during restricted periods, and treat Booley as one stop in a wider coastal walk.

Can you swim at Booley Beach?

I would be careful about recommending Booley Beach for swimming. It is not a fully serviced or lifeguarded beach, and the tide, rocks, reef and wind direction all matter.

Strong, experienced swimmers can judge conditions for themselves. For families, nervous swimmers or anyone wanting an easy supervised swim, I would choose a more straightforward beach.

The same caution applies to sitting near the cliffs. Do not tuck yourself under the cliff face because it looks sheltered. Give the rock space.

Best time to visit Booley Beach

The best time to visit Booley Beach is around low tide on a calm, dry day. That gives you the most beach, the best chance of rockpooling, and the least frustration after walking down from the coast path.

I’d avoid making it the centrepiece of a day if the tide is high, the weather is rough, or the group needs comfort and convenience. Booley is much better as a flexible stop than a fixed plan.

A strong route would be:

1. Start at Par or Polkerris.
2. Walk the coast path between the two.
3. Drop down to Booley Beach if the tide is right.
4. Use Par or Polkerris for food, toilets and the easier part of the day.

That way, Booley gets to be what it is good at: a quiet, tidal cove on a lovely bit of coast.

Booley Beach FAQs

Can you park at Booley Beach?

No. There is no direct beach car park at Booley. Use nearby Par or Polkerris, then reach Booley on foot from the coast path.

Does Booley Beach have toilets?

No. There are no toilets on Booley Beach. Nearby facilities are at Polkerris or Par, depending on your route.

Is Booley Beach good for families?

It can work for older children who are happy walking and exploring at low tide. I would not choose it for prams, heavy beach gear or families who need easy facilities close by.

Does Booley Beach disappear at high tide?

At high tide there may be little or no usable beach. Low tide is the better time to go.

Is Booley Beach better than Polkerris?

Not for convenience. Polkerris is better for facilities, food, drink and a more straightforward beach visit. Booley is better if you want a quieter cove as part of a walk.

My honest take

Booley Beach earns its place as a conditional recommendation. It is quiet, tidal and useful if you are already walking between Par and Polkerris. It is not the beach I would pick for everyone, and it will disappoint anyone expecting easy access and facilities on the sand.

Use it as a low-tide cove on a coastal walk, and it has real appeal. Ask it to be a full-service beach day, and you are asking the wrong thing of it.