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Tolcarne

Cornwall, South West
Excellent Water Quality
Data last verified: 27 Sep 2026

Tolcarne Beach in Cornwall boasts a picturesque shoreline with golden sand and crystal-clear waters. The beach has consistently received an 'Excellent' water quality rating from the Environment Agency, making it perfect for a family day out. During the summer months, the water temperature typically ranges from 16°C to 18°C, ideal for swimming and water activities.

15.6°C
Air Temp
19.1 mph
Wind Speed
Low Tide
in 5h 19m
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Live Water Quality

95
Excellent
Safe for swimming
• Updated 10 mins ago
Today's Conditions • Updated 10 mins ago

Lifeguards

Unknown
Help us verify

Air Temp

15.6°C
Comfortable

Weather

Partly cloudy
15.6°C

Tide

Low Tide
in 5h 19m

Water Quality

Excellent
Safe for swimming

Pollution Alerts

None
No alerts today

Quick Overview

Sandy beach
Family friendly
Dog friendly
(winter)
Parking nearby
Toilets
Café
Verified Information

Beach Information View all details

Beach Type
Sand
Water Quality
Excellent
Avg. Air Temp
15.6°C
Swimming
Highly recommended

Community Photos

Insider Tips & Community Feed for Tolcarne

E
Emmie Seward-Adams - RNLI Water Safety Delivery Support
September 10, 2026
Insider Tip
https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches/newquay-tolcarne-beach

Full season dates and times for the RNLI Lifeguard service for RNLI Lifeguarded beaches can be found here: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches

Water Safety messaging for activities can be found here:
https://rnli.org/water-safety

Nearby Businesses View all

Secret Garden
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4.8 • 120m away
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Reference Information

Full Tide Times
High 18:23 3.5m
Low 00:50 -3.2m
High 06:41 3.4m
Low 13:05 -3.2m
Sediment Type
Sand

The shoreline consists primarily of sand. Sediment type dictates underfoot comfort, wave energy absorption, and the water's clarity when currents stir up the seabed.

Annual Rating
Excellent

Water quality is classified as excellent, meeting the highest cleanliness standards. Bacterial counts (E. coli & Intestinal Enterococci) are consistently low, posing negligible health risks.

Rainfall Impact
Low Risk

This bathing water is generally resilient and has a low risk of quality degradation after heavy summer storm events.

Monitoring Authority
Environment Agency

Tested weekly by the Environment Agency England for bacteria levels (E. coli & Intestinal Enterococci) between May and September.

Water Body Type
Coastal Beach

Monitored as a coastal beach. Coastal beaches are subject to tidal flows and marine dilution, whereas inland lakes/rivers suffer from low water circulation, meaning bacteria can linger longer.

Sewerage Provider
South West Water Limited

South West Water Limited is the regional utility responsible for waste water treatment, sewage infrastructure, and storm overflow management in this catchment area.

Designated Year
1996

Officially designated as a protected bathing water site in 1996. This designation mandates regular public health monitoring.

County / District
Cornwall

Governed under local district sanitation and environmental safety regulations in the Cornwall area.

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