Par
Getting there
This beach is situated between Fowey and St Austell on the A3082. Head for Par then carry on to Fowey, at the end of Par you will see a sign for Par Sands on your right.
Parking
Free in the winter but the summer months you will have to pay, quite cheap compared to other car parks, with ample parking.
Staying
You drive onto Par Sands Camp site to get to the beach so you can’t get any closer than that.
The Spot
Par Beach or as the locals call it “Parbados” is a good beach to learn on as it stays shallow for good distance when it is off from high tide, but this also makes for a long walk at low tide. It is a sandy beach that is about 500 yards wide and is backed by small dunes. This beach does get swell but it is a gentle small wave that comes in here and is at its best at low tide. Water quality at this beach can vary, one day it can be quite clear’ish and on others it can be quite the opposite with masses of seaweed and other washed up goodies! Just make sure your jabs are up to date! There is a China Clay harbour right next to this beach so sometimes you can get the occasional ship sailing out from it and you do get mixed chop in front of the harbour walls, the harbour has a processing plant within it and there are smoke stacks that can be useful for telling the wind strength. There are no restrictions here it is sailable on any tide height, but better conditions tend to be mid to low tide.
There are toilets and a Shop on the beach that are open during the summer also there is a pub at the entrance to Par Sands, very handy!
Best Direction
From SE to S, and at mid to low tide SW
Suitability
Par is suitable for all levels
Caution
For all those riders with rock magnets in their boards, there is a river channel that comes out from the right hand side of the beach and this is protected by rocks that keep the channel clear, they become more apparent as the tide drops, so you should keep aware of where these before your board makes a dart for them!
This beach is situated between Fowey and St Austell on the A3082. Head for Par then carry on to Fowey, at the end of Par you will see a sign for Par Sands on your right.
Parking
Free in the winter but the summer months you will have to pay, quite cheap compared to other car parks, with ample parking.
Staying
You drive onto Par Sands Camp site to get to the beach so you can’t get any closer than that.
The Spot
Par Beach or as the locals call it “Parbados” is a good beach to learn on as it stays shallow for good distance when it is off from high tide, but this also makes for a long walk at low tide. It is a sandy beach that is about 500 yards wide and is backed by small dunes. This beach does get swell but it is a gentle small wave that comes in here and is at its best at low tide. Water quality at this beach can vary, one day it can be quite clear’ish and on others it can be quite the opposite with masses of seaweed and other washed up goodies! Just make sure your jabs are up to date! There is a China Clay harbour right next to this beach so sometimes you can get the occasional ship sailing out from it and you do get mixed chop in front of the harbour walls, the harbour has a processing plant within it and there are smoke stacks that can be useful for telling the wind strength. There are no restrictions here it is sailable on any tide height, but better conditions tend to be mid to low tide.
There are toilets and a Shop on the beach that are open during the summer also there is a pub at the entrance to Par Sands, very handy!
Best Direction
From SE to S, and at mid to low tide SW
Suitability
Par is suitable for all levels
Caution
For all those riders with rock magnets in their boards, there is a river channel that comes out from the right hand side of the beach and this is protected by rocks that keep the channel clear, they become more apparent as the tide drops, so you should keep aware of where these before your board makes a dart for them!
