The Beach: Hayle Towans and Riviere Towans – Cornwall’s Coastal Treasure
The Beach
Hayle Beach, encompassing both Hayle Towans and Riviere Towans, is one of Cornwall’s most spectacular coastal destinations, offering a perfect day out by the sea. Nestled on the edge of stunning St Ives Bay, this vast stretch of coastline features over three miles of golden sands and clean, safe waters. It was named the best beach in the UK by The Times and Sunday Times in 2024, praised for its natural beauty, spaciousness, and welcoming atmosphere.
The broad, open beach is ideal for sunbathing, beach games, and long walks, with soft sand perfect for building sandcastles or simply relaxing. The gentle waves of St Ives Bay make it great for swimming, paddling, and water sports. Lifeguards patrol the beach from May to September, ensuring family safety.
Riviere Towans, a quieter stretch behind rolling sand dunes, offers a more secluded experience within the same magnificent coastline. It is perfect for picnics, dune walks, and wildlife watching, with panoramic views across the bay. The area is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), protecting its important flora and fauna.
Adventure seekers can enjoy consistent Atlantic swells ideal for surfing and kite surfing, while calmer shore areas invite paddleboarding and bodyboarding. For those preferring dry land, the beach is a favourite for dog walking, running, or relaxing with a book. Riviere Towans is also home to holiday chalets and small cafés, allowing visitors to extend their stay with food, drink, or overnight accommodation.
Whether you seek thrills, nature, or a family-friendly day out, Hayle Beach and Riviere Towans offer unforgettable experiences with award-winning status, breathtaking views, and a wealth of activities that draw visitors year after year.
The Ecology: Diverse Wildlife and Vital Conservation at Riviere Towans
Riviere Towans presents a unique landscape of sand dunes, grassy knolls, and golden beaches overlooking St Ives Bay, forming a vital ecological area within the Hayle Estuary and Towans SSSI. These dynamic dunes, shaped by wind and sea, serve as a natural coastal defense, protecting the shore from erosion and tides.
The dunes support rare and delicate plant species such as sea holly and pyramidal orchids, thriving in nutrient-poor sandy soils. This biodiversity is an essential part of the habitat, sustaining insects and nesting birds unique to the area.
Marine life flourishes in the adjacent waters, with grey seals, bottlenose dolphins, and various seabirds regularly spotted. At low tide, rock pools reveal a vibrant array of anemones, starfish, crabs, and mollusks, forming rich feeding grounds for wading birds and offering fascinating opportunities for wildlife spotting.
Visitors can enjoy eco-conscious activities like snorkeling and paddleboarding, which promote awareness of marine conservation. The SSSI designation ensures legal protection, with management efforts to regulate foot traffic, control invasive species, and mitigate development pressures. Conservation groups actively monitor the environment and educate the public about preserving this vital habitat.
Local communities value Riviere Towans for its tranquility and natural beauty, integrating low-impact holiday chalets and walking trails sensitively into the landscape. This balance of enjoyment and preservation makes Riviere Towans a key part of the Hayle coastline and the broader ecological network of St Ives Bay.
Looking After the Towans: Community Stewardship and Conservation Partnerships
The natural beauty and heritage of Riviere Towans and Hayle Beach are safeguarded by several dedicated local organizations working together to protect the dunes, beach, and surrounding environment.
The Hayle Surf Life Saving Club, staffed mainly by trained volunteers, provides essential lifeguard services during the summer season and promotes water safety education year-round. Their collaboration with agencies such as the RNLI and local emergency services helps reduce risks and foster a culture of coastal safety.
Friends of the Towans is a volunteer-led conservation group focusing on protecting and enhancing the dune ecosystem. Through beach cleans, invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and educational events, they actively preserve this rich natural environment while engaging the community.
The Towans Partnership brings together landowners, conservation charities, and local authorities to manage the wider Towans area, including Riviere Towans, Upton, Gwithian, and Mexico Towans. This collaboration ensures sustainable tourism, improved public access, and long-term conservation planning that balances ecological protection with recreational use.
The Hayle Harbour Company oversees the estuary and adjacent coastline, maintaining infrastructure supporting marine activities and environmental health. Their efforts contribute to revitalizing the waterfront while protecting sensitive ecological areas, supporting the goal of a sustainable, thriving coastal town.
Lastly, the Riviere Towans Chalet Management Company manages the private chalet community nestled within the dunes. They maintain shared infrastructure and ensure chalet owners comply with planning regulations designed to protect the area's natural character. Working in partnership with conservation groups, they help balance residential enjoyment with environmental responsibility, preserving Riviere Towans' unique charm for future generations.