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Cornwall

Greenaway Beach

7.0 · Rocks · Cornwall

A rocky, kelp-fringed cove between Polzeath and Daymer Bay with ledges and gullies that fish well on the flood and first of the ebb. Clearer summer water suits lure and float tactics for wrasse, pollack and bass, while evenings bring mackerel, garfish and scad close in. After dark, pouting, small conger and dogfish patrol the deeper holes. Access is via the coast path with steep steps; the platforms are uneven and weed-slick, and swell can make it hazardous. Check tides to avoid being cut off and pick settled seas.

Should you fish Greenaway Beach?

57 Fair

Today · Best window

Best window: 18:00-21:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Ballan Wrasse and Corkwing Wrasse

Fair conditions. Best around 18:00-21:00 around the rising tide. Good chance of Ballan Wrasse and Corkwing Wrasse.

NW 4 mph Rain 8% High tide 11:04

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Greenaway Beach — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Wednesday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Greenaway Beach is a rough, kelp-fringed rock mark that rewards careful tide timing and mobile fishing. The best fishing is usually mid-flood through high water and the first of the ebb, but the same tide that brings fish into the gullies can also cover the lower platforms quickly. Treat it as a rock mark: travel light, fish settled seas, and choose tactics that keep you above the kelp or tight to the fish-holding edges.

  • Know when the flood helps — and when it cuts off the platform
  • Pick the gullies, kelp lines and clean patches that match your target
  • Choose lure, float or bait tactics without donating gear every cast
  • Know when Greenaway is too exposed and where to look next

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Polzeath and Trebetherick 0.2 mi Rock (Cornwall) 1.7 mi Padstow 1.9 mi Trevone 2.8 mi St Merryn 4.1 mi

Explore nearby towns: Polzeath and Trebetherick · Rock (Cornwall) · Padstow · Trevone · St Merryn

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

7.0 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 6/10

Bass 9/10
Tip: Work surf gutters on a flooding tide; dawn/dusk or after a blow. Lures in clear seas; peeler crab or sandeel baits when coloured.
Ballan Wrasse 8/10
Tip: Fish crab or rag tight to kelp-fringed rock edges on the flood; float or simple ledger. Best spring–autumn; avoid heavy swell.
Pollack 7/10
Tip: Cast soft plastics or metals along kelp lines at dusk into dark on a flooding tide; keep lures high to avoid snags.
Mackerel 6/10
Tip: Summer evenings on calm, clear water; feathers or small metals from rocky points on the flood. Keep mobile.
Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
Tip: Small hooks with rag or shrimp dropped into boulder holes on the flood; summer best. Expect gentle lift bites.
Garfish 6/10
Tip: Late spring–autumn; float a sliver of mackerel or sandeel near surface over clean patches on the flood, clear seas preferred.
Pouting 5/10
Tip: Dusk/night over rough ground; small fish or worm baits on 1–2 hook paternosters. Try the first of the flood.
Three-bearded Rockling 5/10
Tip: Winter and nights; small worm baits worked in weedy gullies at low to mid flood. Keep rigs simple.
Conger Eel 5/10
Tip: After dark into the flood; large fish baits lowered into kelpy gullies. Use strong gear and rotten-bottoms.
Whiting 4/10
Tip: Nov–Feb, after dark from sandy patches on a rising tide; small mackerel or lug baits on 2–3 hook rigs.

Local knowledge

Greenaway Beach fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Greenaway Beach sits between Polzeath and Daymer Bay on Cornwall’s north coast, a rocky, reefy stretch with gullies, ledges and kelp beds. It’s a classic rough-ground mark for bass, wrasse and pollack, with summer pelagics passing tight to the rocks on clear, calm evenings.

Reaching Greenaway is straightforward via the South West Coast Path that links Polzeath and Daymer Bay. The descent is via rough steps to a boulder/reef platform that all but disappears at higher stages of the tide.

  • Approach from Polzeath or Daymer Bay and follow coast path waymarks; allow 10–20 minutes’ walk depending on start point.
  • Parking options: Polzeath village car parks (Polzeath, PL27) or Daymer Bay car park (Trebetherick, PL27); charges apply in season.
  • The final access is steep and uneven with slippery, seaweed-covered rocks; good footwear is essential.
  • Terrain is mixed reef, boulders and kelp with pockets of sand in gullies; expect snaggy ground.

This is mixed rough ground with kelp and gullies, suiting hard-fighting inshore species through the warmer months.

  • Spring (Apr–Jun): Bass, pollack, early ballan and corkwing wrasse, garfish late spring; occasional dogfish and pout.
  • Summer (Jul–Aug): Wrasse at their peak, bass in low light or fizzing surf, pollack at dusk, mackerel and garfish in clear water, scad after dark; odd bull huss and conger from deeper holes at night.
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bigger bass around storm surges, pollack, late mackerel/scad if water stays warm/clear, conger and huss on heavier gear; whiting and pout on calmer nights.
  • Winter (Dec–Mar): Weather dependent; pollack on lures in clearer spells, conger and pout after dark; bass possible around stormy surges but sessions are hit-and-miss.

Rough ground tactics shine here. Travel light, use abrasion-resistant leaders and accept you will lose some gear.

  • Lure fishing (bass/pollack):
    • Surface and subsurface hard lures for bass (pencils, walk-the-dog, shallow divers) at dawn/dusk or in fizzing white water.
    • Weedless soft plastics (weightless or 3–10 g jig heads) for bass/wrasse/pollack across kelp lines and gullies.
    • Slim metals and spoons for mackerel/gar on clear, calm evenings; vary retrieve speed and depth.
  • Float fishing (wrasse/gar/pollack):
    • Set 6–12 ft, drift along ledges; baits include ragworm, prawn or small crab for wrasse; mackerel strip for gar.
  • Bottom fishing (bass/wrasse/huss/conger):
    • Pulley or pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) with rotten-bottom link for bass/huss; baits: peeler crab, sandeel, squid/mackerel cocktail.
    • Short-snood 2-hook flapper (#1–1/0) with ragworm, crab or prawn for wrasse/pout; keep snoods short to reduce snagging.
  • Tackle notes: 30–40 lb leader over clean/kelp edges, heavier mono traces (60–80 lb) for conger/huss; carry spare leads and rotten-bottom clips.

Tide height dictates access as well as success. Plan your exit before you start fishing, and work the water movement around the gullies.

  • Tide states: Productive from mid-flood through high and the first of the ebb; many ledges are only safely accessible from mid to low—you must retreat early.
  • Swell: A light rolling swell and fizz over the reefs often brings bass in close; avoid big groundswell which can wash the ledges.
  • Wind and clarity: Easterly/SE winds flatten the sea and clear the water (good for wrasse/pollack/gar). Strong W/NW winds push swell and colour (good for bass, risky for safety).
  • Time of day: Dawn and dusk are prime for bass and pollack; bright days with clear water suit wrasse under the float; after dark brings conger, huss and scad.
  • Seasonality: Late spring to autumn is the main window. Winter sessions are weather-limited and best seized during calmer spells.

This is an exposed, rocky mark with real cut-off potential. Treat it as a rock mark rather than a beach and kit up accordingly.

  • Check tide times carefully; parts of the platform flood quickly—identify exit routes in daylight and leave with ample time.
  • Wear a PFD/lifejacket, grippy boots (studs/felt) and carry a headtorch if there’s any chance of fishing into dusk.
  • Swell can wrap into the gullies; keep back from edges and never turn your back on the sea.
  • Ground is very snaggy and weeded; expect unstable boulders and slippery kelp.
  • Not suitable for those with limited mobility due to steep steps and uneven terrain.
  • Fish with a partner where possible; phone signal is generally fair on the cliffs but can dip down in the coves.

Greenaway itself has no facilities, but both ends of the path are well served in season.

  • Parking: Polzeath village car parks (PL27) and Daymer Bay car park (PL27); seasonal charges.
  • Toilets: Public toilets in Polzeath; seasonal facilities at Daymer Bay.
  • Food and shops: Cafés, pubs, convenience stores and surf shops in Polzeath; limited offerings at Daymer/Trebetherick.
  • Tackle and bait: Nearest options in Polzeath/Rock, Wadebridge and Padstow; check opening hours in winter.
  • Lifeguards: None at Greenaway; Polzeath Beach is lifeguarded in summer (swimmers/surfers only).

Think like a rock angler: stay mobile, fish the water in front of you and time sets for when fish move tight to the ledges.

  • Work surface lures over the white-water seams on a flooding tide—bass often hit right at your feet.
  • For wrasse, feed small pieces of prawn or chopped rag to keep fish interested; keep tackle stout and snoods short.
  • Use a weak link/rotten-bottom for leads and carry spare weights; kelp and boulders will claim gear.
  • A small landing net or long disgorger helps on high ledges and for safe release, especially with wrasse.
  • Summer evenings can see garfish and scad right under the surface—drop line diameter and use fluorocarbon leaders for extra bites.
  • Spider crabs move in during late spring; peeler crab is deadly for bass but be prepared for crab attention on static baits.

Angling is permitted at Greenaway Beach, but you must follow national and local byelaws. Regulations can change—check Cornwall IFCA/MMO before you go.

  • European seabass (as of 2024): Recreational fishery typically 2 fish per angler per day, minimum size 42 cm, with an open season usually Mar–Nov. Always confirm current rules before retaining bass.
  • Minimum sizes and general byelaws: Observe UK/IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes for common species; return undersized fish promptly.
  • Shellfish/crustaceans: It is illegal to take berried (egg-bearing) lobsters or crabs; respect local MLS and v-notching protections.
  • Marine protected areas: This coast falls within wider conservation designations; rod-and-line angling is allowed, but extra restrictions on netting/collecting may apply.
  • Access: Use public rights of way and marked paths; avoid climbing fences or disturbing cliff-nesting birds.
  • Litter and fish care: Take all line and litter home; consider releasing large wrasse which are vital to local populations.