About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
Key Facts
- Location: Kynance Cove, Cornwall
- Size: > 10ha
- High point: 29m
- Map: OS Explorer 103 The Lizard
A small grass-topped tidal island, named after the rare wild asparagus that grows here, lying within stunning Kynance Cove on the western side of The Lizard Peninsula. Made of translucent green serpentine blocks, invaded with granite and basalt, the island is flanked by two large rocks – Gull Rock and The Bishop – and sits below the impressive cliffs of the mainland to which it is linked by a tidal rock strand. Asparagus has two blowholes, the Devil’s Bellows and the Post Office, the latter named because the sea tunneling along a fault creates enough suction to post a letter through the gap.
Look out for
- Fabulous swim around Asparagus Island – see Islandeering route
- Dramatic blowholes
- Easy, fun scramble onto the island
- Impressive cliff scenery
How to get to Kynance Cove
From Helston take the A3083 south towards The Lizard. Just before reaching Lizard Village turn R follow the brown ‘Kynance sign’. The National Trust car park sits on cliffs above Kynance Cove (GR SW 688 133; What3words desktop. warriors. trick; Post code TR12 7PJ). Larger motorhomes can also park for the day (not overnight). To walk to Kynance Cove leave the car park and head on the clear coast path downhill. It’s about a 10 minute walk that is steep in places.
Bus to Kynance Cove – the number 37 bus from Helston goes to Lizard Village and the closest bus stop is Lizard Village green which is approximately 1 mile walk from Kynance Cove.
To access Asparagus Island wait until the tombolo at Kynance Cove appears between the island about 2 hours after high tide. Walk/wade to the island and scramble up its north flank. It is also possible to swim around Asparagus Island.
Kynance Cove Parking
Bedruthen Steps carpark at Carnewas is a National Trust car park free to members, but charges apply to non-member.
Kynance Cove tide times
Knowing the Kynance Cove tide times is important for a successful visit. On most high tides there is no beach at all. At high tide it is still possible to walk across the rocks to the café, but not if there is a high swell. The best time to visit Kynance Cove is on an outgoing tide, fewer people generally will be on the beach and you can grab the best spot as the tide receded.
Always check Kynance Cove tide times at Lizard Point https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast-and-sea/tide-tables/10/3
Kynance Cove Cafe
Great food and amazing views just above Kynance Cove beach. Delicious homemade cakes, sandwiches, burgers and salads.
Kynance Cove Accommodation
It doesn’t get more idyllic than Kynance Cove Cottage right on the beach and next to the café https://www.kynancecovecafe.co.uk
Kynance Cove Camping
During July, August and September this pop-up off-grid campsite on The Lizard Peninsula is a real treat. It’s within walking distance of Lizard village. http://www.kynancecamping.co.uk. The excellent National Trust campsite at Tenerife Farm is just a 3 mile coastal walk from Kynance Cove
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/cornwall/teneriffe-farm-campsite/tents
Kynance Cove Dogs
Dogs are not permitted on Kynance Cove Beach from 1st July to 31st August between 10am and 6pm. Kynance Cove is dog friendly outside these hours and from 1st September to 30th June at all times.
Walking Asparagus Island
About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
Key Facts
- Location: Kynance Cove, Cornwall
- Terrain: Open water of Kynance Cove
- Access: Tidal tombolo
- Map: OS Explorer 103 The Lizard
- Starting point: Tombolo between Asparagus Island and mainland
Summary of Asparagus Island Swim
Wild swimming in Kynance Cove is a great experience in itself but the adventurous swim around Asparagus Island is unbeatable. To swim around Asparagus Island leave from Kynance Cove’s sand tombolo (Grid ref. SW 683 132; What3Words port.pretty.northward) and swim anti-clockwise around the island, ideally on a neap tide, landing back again on Kynance Beach. There are gullies to explore around Gull Rock and The Bishop and plenty of marine life to spot clinging to the bases of the towering translucent-green serpentine cliffs. If you need a swim guide to Asparagus island contact Sea Swim Cornwall https://www.seaswimcornwall.co.uk/open-water-swimming-blog-uk/swimming-at-kynance-cove
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- Great underwater views
- Sea caves and colourful rocks
- A well-deserved ice cream afterward
Getting there:
To get to Kynance Cove take the A3083 south towards The Lizard from Helston. Just before reaching Lizard Village, follow the Kynance sign posted on the right hand side (look for brown sign). The National Trust car park sits on cliffs above Kynance Cove (GR SW 688 133; What3words desktop. warriors. trick; TR12 7PJ). Larger motorhomes can also park for the day (not overnight)
