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: North Cornwall, north of Newquay
- Size: > 10ha
- High point: 32m
- Map: OS Explorer 106 Newquay and Padstow
Porth Island, north of family favourite Porth Beach on the eastern side of Newquay, is a peninsula connected to the mainland via a narrow footbridge. Low cliffs on the south side are contrasted by rugged high cliffs on the north side and the island boasts ‘one of Cornwall’s finest ancient monuments’ – an Iron Age promontory fort with defensive ramparts and two round barrows dating from the early Bronze Age. There is also evidence of Iron Age smelting activity on the island with furnaces, ore roasting pits and slag excavated across the site, especially along the gully at the island entrance. At the western tip there is an excellent blow hole and the views from here are spectacular looking back towards Newquay Bay and to Park Head in the north.
Look out for
- Great views across Newquay Bay
- Blow hole at western tip
- Wild swimming at Porth Beach
- Paddle boarding at Porth Beach
- Walk around the island’s coastline (see Islandeering route)
How to get to Porth Island
Just over a mile north of Newquay Porth Island can be reached from the town centre by heading north then west on the A3058, turning left onto the B3276.
Parking for Porth Island
There is a pay car park next to Porth Beach (postcode TR& 3NB; Grid ref. SW 832 629).
Food near Porth Island
There are a fantastic range of cafes around Porth Beach, along with the Mermaid Inn. Roo’s Beach Coffee is the closest to Porth Island and serves take-out breakfast, drinks, coffees and teas. Café Coast is good for cream teas. Food is also available at The Gwenna Teahouse, with a large icecream selection at The Hole in the Wall.
What to do on Porth Island
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Porth to Watergate Bay circular walk
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Walking Porth 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: Newquay, Cornwall
- Terrain: coast path
- Access: Footbridge
- Height gain: 192 metres
- Map: OS Explorer 106 Newquay and Padstow
- Starting point: Newquay Football Golf Club (GR SW 830 629)
Walk Overview
A fabulous short walk to explore the rugged coast and history of Porth Island and to get one of the best viewpoints across Newquay Bay.
Look out for
-
- Iron Age fort
- Spectacular Porth Island views
- Swim at Porth Beach
- Explore rock pools and gullies
- Dramatic Porth Island blowhole
Route description
The walk around Porth Island starts at the Newquay Football Gulf centre, just off the B3276, and head west along the South West Coast Path to the Porth Island Bridge over the steep rock gully to Porth Island proper. Here, the route follows the perimeter of the island before returning to the footbridge and then heading north east to follow the coast path back to the B3276, with a short walk along the road back to the start.
This walk can be extended to Watergate Bay to enjoy spectacular sea caves and to visit Flory Island and Zacry’s Islands on the way.
