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Cornwall

Par Beach

6.7 · Beach · Cornwall

Par Beach (Par Sands) is a long, shallow-gradient sandy beach on St Austell Bay, backed by dunes and a lagoon. It offers easy, level access from the main car park and mostly clean ground with occasional fine shingle. The Par River creates gutters and channels that draw bass and flatfish, especially on a flooding tide. Best results are typically from two hours up to high and into dusk or after dark. Calm to moderate surf with a south or east push fishes well; westerly winds often flatten it. Standard surf tactics apply: 2–3 hook flappers with rag/lug or small cocktails for flats and whiting, pulley rigs with sandeel/squid for rays, and peeler crab for bass and the odd smoothhound. Short to medium casts pick up sole and flounder in the channels; longer casts reach plaice and occasional rays off the outer bar. Summer brings school bass and dogfish with the chance of smoothhound; winter sees whiting and dabs. Weed can be troublesome after onshore blows. Hazards: lesser weevers in warm months (wear footwear), soft sand near the river channel and occasional rips on big tides; give space to bathers and water users in peak season.

Should you fish Par Beach?

66 Good

Today · Best window

Best window: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Flounder and Bass

Good conditions. Best around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide. Good chance of Flounder and Bass.

NW 3 mph Rain 8% High tide 11:17

Worth fishing if you can hit the best window.

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7-day fishing forecast for Par 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.

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· 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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Par Beach is a shallow, clean-sand surf venue where success is usually about finding the active gutter rather than simply casting as far as possible. The Par River outflow is the key feature: its channels, seams and shifting bars draw bass, flounder, golden-grey mullet and summer bream, especially on a flooding tide. Fish it with a bit of surf and colour for bass, calmer settled conditions for plaice, rays and sole, and winter nights for whiting.

  • Know when to fish the river channel instead of open sand
  • Pick the right tide window for bass, flounder, whiting and sole
  • Use short casts confidently when fish are inside the first bar
  • Avoid wasting a session in weed, heavy surf or lifeless water
  • Have a realistic nearby backup plan if Par is not fishing

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Tywardreath 0.4 mi Par 0.4 mi Polkerris 1.0 mi St Blazey 1.2 mi Tywardreath Highway 1.3 mi

Explore nearby towns: Tywardreath · Par · Polkerris · St Blazey · Tywardreath Highway

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

Overall rating

6.7 /10

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

Category scores

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

Bass 8/10
Tip: Work the surf line on a flooding tide at dawn/dusk or after a blow; shallow plugs or sandeel/peeler on long traces.
Whiting 6/10
Tip: Winter nights over clean sand; 2-3 hook flapper with lug or squid strips; cast 40-80 m; best on first of the flood.
Flounder 6/10
Tip: Target the river outflow and inner beach with small rag/lug tipped with mackerel; slow retrieve; autumn-winter on the flood.
Golden-grey Mullet 6/10
Tip: Warm months; tiny rag or artificial worm on size 8-10 rigs in surf gutters, especially near the outflow; dusk on a flooding tide.
Plaice 5/10
Tip: Spring-summer; long snoods with beads, lug/rag or prawn; cast beyond first bar; flood or slack water.
Dover Sole 5/10
Tip: Warm, calm nights; light running ledger with rag or peeler kept static in the gutter; last of the ebb into first flood.
Mackerel 5/10
Tip: June-Sept evenings when shoals push in; small metals or feathers; watch for birds; high water on neaps.
Gilthead Bream 5/10
Tip: Summer around the Par River channel; peeler or hard crab on 1/0 circles; fish the flood; set light drag for hard runs.
Weever Fish (Lesser) 4/10
Tip: Summer over clean sand; small worm baits on size 6 hooks; short lobs into shallow surf on bright, calm days; handle carefully due to spines.
Turbot 3/10
Tip: Occasional in summer; sandeel on long traces; search scours and bars; first two hours of the flood.
Garfish 3/10
Tip: Late spring-autumn; float-fish slivers of mackerel on long-shank size 6; first light over the flood.

Local knowledge

Par Beach fishing guide

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

Par Beach (Par Sands) sits in the curve of St Austell Bay between Carlyon Bay and Polkerris. It’s a broad, shallow-shelving sand beach that fishes well for bass in a bit of surf and offers reliable winter flounder and whiting sport. Easy access, plenty of space, and shifting gutters make it a great venue for both newcomers and seasoned surf casters.

Par Beach lies just south of the village of Par and St Blazey, with flat, straightforward access from the main car park behind the dunes. It’s one of the easiest true surf marks in mid-Cornwall to reach, ideal when you don’t fancy a long clamber.

  • Parking: Large pay-and-display at Par Sands behind the beach (postcode guidance: PL24 2AS). Height barriers may be in place; check on arrival.
  • Approach: 2–5 minute flat walk on firm paths over low dunes; suitable for trolleys and most buggies.
  • Terrain: Clean sand with shifting bars and gutters; a small river/outflow crosses the beach—expect shallows and channels that move after storms.
  • Alternatives: Limited roadside spots near Polmear; overflow parking can be busy in peak summer.
  • Note: Par Harbour/docks to the west are private—do not attempt to fish from structures or fenced areas.

This is a classic sandy surf venue with estuarine influence from the river, so expect bass and flatties, plus winter visitors. Occasional summer surprises turn up in settled spells.

  • Spring (Mar–May):
    • Bass (schoolies to decent fish after a blow)
    • Flounder
    • Plaice (occasional on cleaner, settled days)
    • Dogfish
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Bass (dawn/dusk, coloured water best)
    • Mackerel (shoals close in during calm evenings)
    • Garfish (clear, bright conditions)
    • Gilthead bream (occasional in warm settled spells near channels)
    • Thornback ray (odd fish in settled seas, evening into dark)
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Bass (often the prime time)
    • Plaice (neaps and clear water)
    • Dogfish
    • Whiting (late autumn, especially after dark)
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Flounder (good chance around the river channel)
    • Whiting
    • Codling (very occasional in heavy weather)
    • Dab (sporadic)

Standard surf tactics score here; long range can help on neaps, but many fish patrol the first and second gulley at higher water. Mobile fishing, reading the sandbars, and timing around dusk make a big difference.

  • Bass in surf:
    • Rigs: Pulley or pulley pennel, 3/0–4/0 hooks; 4–5 oz grip leads.
    • Baits: Fresh lugworm, ragworm, peeler crab in spring, squid/lug cocktails; whole sandeel in calmer seas.
    • Lures: Surface and shallow divers, white paddletails; work the edges of the river channel in coloured water.
  • Flounder/plaice/whiting:
    • Rigs: 2-hook or 3-hook flapper with size 2–1 hooks, long snoods, bright beads/spoons for plaice.
    • Baits: Lugworm, ragworm, maddies; small mackerel or squid strips for whiting.
  • Rays/dogfish (occasional):
    • Rigs: Single clipped-down with 4–5/0 strong hook; rotten-bottom if casting near mixed patches.
    • Baits: Whole sandeel, bluey or mackerel fillet, squid wraps.
  • Casting and positioning:
    • Find gutters and the river’s edge; don’t be afraid to move 50–100 m to track a channel as the tide floods.
    • Clip-down rigs help cut air drag; shockleader essential for heavier payloads.

The beach is shallow, so water movement and a bit of surf transforms the mark. Aim to fish moving water and key light changes.

  • Tide states:
    • Bass: Last two hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb are prime, especially along the river channel.
    • Flounder: Mid-to-late flood and early ebb around the stream; neaps can fish very consistently.
    • Distance: On big neaps you may need more range; on springs, fish can be in very close over the inner bar.
  • Sea conditions:
    • Best: Southerly-onshore breeze creating mild surf and colour (6–18 inches of visibility) for bass.
    • Rays/plaice: Prefer settled, less coloured seas; evenings into dark.
  • Time of day/season:
    • Dawn/dusk year-round, with autumn often the sweet spot for better bass.
    • Winter nights for whiting; daytime winter flounder when it’s calm and bright.
  • Wind and weed:
    • Onshore blows can push weed into the bay—fish the edges of rafts or wait for the drop in the wind.

This is a generally safe, broad sandy beach, but shifting channels and surf deserve respect. Keep an eye on the river outflow and don’t wade beyond your comfort.

  • Wading and channels:
    • The river can deepen quickly on springs; avoid being cut off on a mid-beach bar.
    • Rip-like flow near the outfall in bigger surf—step back if unsure.
  • Underfoot:
    • Mostly firm sand; avoid the soft saltmarsh and dune vegetation behind the beach.
  • Sea state:
    • In heavier surf use a lifejacket if wading; fish with a partner after dark.
  • Crowds and swimmers:
    • In summer, keep well clear of bathers and any flagged swimming areas; consider night or shoulder times.
  • Accessibility:
    • Flat approach from the main car park with short distances; good for those with limited mobility, though soft sand may still challenge wheel users.
  • Permissions:
    • Beach angling is generally allowed; do not fish from Par Harbour/dock structures or any signed private areas.

Par Beach is well set up for a family day or a quick evening session, with amenities close at hand. Expect seasonal variations in opening times.

  • Toilets: Public toilets near/at the main car park (check seasonal hours).
  • Food and drink: Beach kiosk/café in season; more options in Par and St Blazey.
  • Tackle and bait: Several shops within a short drive around St Austell/Par; confirm hours outside peak season.
  • Mobile signal: Generally good across major networks on the open beach.
  • Water and bins: Bins near access points; bring spare bags for line and bait waste.
  • Accommodation: Holiday park and campsites close by; useful for multi-session trips.

Reading the beach is everything here—bars and gutters shift after each blow. Give yourself time on arrival to pick the right line of attack.

  • Target the river seam: Work baits and lures along the colour change where the outflow meets the surf; bass patrol these edges.
  • Keep mobile: If you’re not getting bites after 20–30 minutes, move to another gutter or the next bar.
  • Scale down for winter flatties: Fine wire size 2 hooks and small worm baits out-fish big offerings.
  • Watch the weed: After southerlies, weed can be relentless. Fish lighter leads and keep rods high to ride it; sometimes a short lob inside the worst of it is best.
  • Lures at first light: In calm, clear summer dawns, a white or silver paddletail slow-rolled in knee-deep water is deadly.
  • Night whiting: Two- or three-hook flappers with small fish strips will keep rods nodding; great for newcomers.

Know and follow national and local rules. Regulations change—always check current notices before your trip.

  • Bass (recreational): As of 2024 in ICES area 7 (Cornwall), minimum size 42 cm; retention typically permitted 1 March–30 November with a daily bag limit (2 fish per angler per day in recent years). Outside those dates, catch-and-release only. Check the latest UK government update before fishing.
  • Minimum sizes/bag limits: Observe MMO/Cornwall IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes for species such as cod, pollack, plaice, rays, and flatfish; release undersized fish promptly.
  • Shellfish: It is illegal to take berried (egg-bearing) lobsters or crawfish; local MLS apply to crabs and lobsters. No spear fishing for bass at night.
  • Bait collection: Digging is generally permitted on open foreshore below the high-water mark; do not dig in dunes/saltmarsh or fenced conservation areas behind the beach.
  • Local bylaws: Avoid any signed swimming zones and respect private property at Par Harbour/docks. Dispose of line and bait waste responsibly.
  • Licensing: No rod licence required for sea fishing in England, but estuary/river stretches upstream may have different rules—this beach mark is tidal and open to public shore angling.