There has to be a huge well for this beach to work. Rarely surfable conditions. Great SUP spot!! A large stretch of near-white sand, Pentewan Sands is located between St Austell and the fishing village of Mevagissey. The beach is actually privately owned by the Pentewan Sands Holiday Park that sits just behind. This isn't really an issue though as the beach is open to the public. In fact what it does mean is the beach is well-maintained and there are plenty of facilities. The beach here faces east into St Austell Bay meaning it is generally sheltered from the wind and the swell. This makes it a great spot for swimming and all water sports - windsurfing, sea kayaking, water skiing and sailing. Jet skis are banned but canoes and sailing dinghies can be hired from the Holiday Park. Pentewan is a popular family beach and bathing is safe except in strong easterly winds. However, there is no lifeguard service here, just life-saving equipment. That said, the beach is zoned off into a swimming area with buoys during the summer months. The beach is on the South West Coast Path and there is the Pentewan Valley Trail which follows the old Pentewan railway to St Austell. It is also well worth having a walk along the beach to the old harbour at Pentewan. This was once a thriving china clay port, but has long since ceased to operate, with the sand now cutting the harbour off from the sea.