The sea temperature at Cornwall (Kynance Cove) today is 14.5 °C (58 °F) – icy water, most people reach for a wetsuit. The usual October average is 14.8 °C. The forecast for the next 3 days is 14.4 to 14.5 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 16.5 °C to 14.5 °C. Rarely swimmable – the sea seldom averages 18 °C or more. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10.3°C / 50.5°F | 10.8°C / 51.4°F | 11.1°C / 51.9°F |
| February | 9.9°C / 49.7°F | 10.2°C / 50.3°F | 10.4°C / 50.6°F |
| March | 9.7°C / 49.4°F | 10.1°C / 50.2°F | 10.4°C / 50.7°F |
| April | 10.2°C / 50.4°F | 10.8°C / 51.5°F | 11.4°C / 52.6°F |
| May | 11.4°C / 52.6°F | 12.8°C / 55.0°F | 14.0°C / 57.1°F |
| June | 14.6°C / 58.3°F | 15.1°C / 59.2°F | 15.6°C / 60.1°F |
| July | 15.7°C / 60.3°F | 16.7°C / 62.0°F | 17.5°C / 63.5°F |
| August | 16.0°C / 60.9°F | 17.2°C / 63.0°F | 18.6°C / 65.5°F |
| September | 15.7°C / 60.2°F | 16.6°C / 61.8°F | 17.1°C / 62.9°F |
| October | 14.5°C / 58.1°F | 14.8°C / 58.6°F | 15.2°C / 59.3°F |
| November | 13.3°C / 55.9°F | 13.4°C / 56.2°F | 13.7°C / 56.7°F |
| December | 11.8°C / 53.2°F | 12.0°C / 53.6°F | 12.2°C / 53.9°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.8°C / 46.0°F | 8.2°C / 46.7°F | 8.9°C / 48.1°F |
| February | 8.7°C / 47.6°F | 9.0°C / 48.3°F | 9.8°C / 49.6°F |
| March | 8.6°C / 47.4°F | 9.3°C / 48.7°F | 10.3°C / 50.5°F |
| April | 9.1°C / 48.4°F | 10.2°C / 50.4°F | 11.5°C / 52.7°F |
| May | 11.5°C / 52.7°F | 12.9°C / 55.2°F | 14.3°C / 57.7°F |
| June | 14.0°C / 57.2°F | 15.5°C / 59.8°F | 17.0°C / 62.5°F |
| July | 15.7°C / 60.3°F | 17.1°C / 62.7°F | 18.5°C / 65.3°F |
| August | 16.2°C / 61.1°F | 17.3°C / 63.2°F | 18.7°C / 65.6°F |
| September | 14.9°C / 58.8°F | 15.9°C / 60.5°F | 17.2°C / 62.9°F |
| October | 13.4°C / 56.2°F | 14.0°C / 57.2°F | 14.9°C / 58.7°F |
| November | 11.1°C / 52.0°F | 11.4°C / 52.5°F | 12.0°C / 53.5°F |
| December | 9.7°C / 49.4°F | 9.9°C / 49.9°F | 10.4°C / 50.7°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Kynance Cove holidays
Where the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall meets the Atlantic, Kynance Cove is a small bay of white sand and turquoise water enclosed by dark red and green serpentine rock. The cove and the cliffs around it belong to the National Trust, and the South West Coast Path runs along the top.
Beaches
At low tide Kynance Cove opens into several connected beaches between the rock stacks, with sand leading out to Asparagus Island and pools among the rocks, including one known as the Mermaid Pool. At high tide the sea covers most of the sand, so it is worth checking tide times before walking down. The water is clear and fairly sheltered in calm weather, but currents around the islands can be strong and the sea stays cool even in summer. Nearby, Polurrian Cove and Poldhu Cove on the west side of the Lizard and Coverack on the east side are wider beaches with easier access.
Things to do
The coast path from Kynance leads south to Lizard Point, the southernmost point of mainland Britain, and its lighthouse (check current visitor access before planning a visit), and on to the fishing coves of Church Cove and Cadgwith. Mullion Cove, to the north, has a small harbour enclosed by stone walls, and the Marconi Centre at Poldhu recalls the first transatlantic radio signal, sent from this coast in 1901. Helston, the market town at the start of the Lizard Peninsula, is known for Flora Day in May. St Michael's Mount and Penzance are within a short drive to the west.
Weather and best time to visit
The Lizard has a mild climate by British standards, with few frosts in winter and warm but rarely hot summers. July and August are the busiest months, when the car park fills early and the beach is crowded around low tide. May, June and September are quieter, and strong south-westerly winds and swell can make Kynance Cove rough at any time of year.
Hotels and where to stay
Lizard village, about 2 km from Kynance Cove, has a hotel, guesthouses and holiday cottages, and Mullion, Coverack and Cadgwith offer inns and self-catering stays. Helston and Falmouth have a wider choice of hotels within about 30 to 45 minutes by car.
Signature hotels: Housel Bay Hotel (Housel Cove, Lizard)
Airport and getting there
Cornwall Airport Newquay (NQY) is about 1 hour 15 minutes by car from Kynance Cove. The nearest railway stations are Redruth and Penzance, from where buses and taxis continue to Helston and the Lizard. A National Trust car park sits above the cove, and from it a steep path leads down to the beach in about 15 minutes.