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Place guide3 min readUpdated 8 Apr 2026

By the Down The Cove editorial team

Porthoustock

is a quiet cove on the east of the Lizard peninsula, once a fishing village and later a port serving the local stone quarries. A large disused mill that crushed roadstone still stands at one end of the beach, and today divers set off from here to explore the many wrecks on the nearby Manacles reef.

Read the guide
The shingle-and-sand cove at Porthoustock on the Lizard, with the old disused stone mill standing at one end of the beach.
Quick notes for your visit

Beach and cove guide

Plan your visit

A simple guide to the feel of the place, how to arrive, and what to keep in mind before you go.

Porthoustock is the kind of place where the day is shaped by simple things: tide, weather, a picnic, and time to notice the coast properly.

Best forOpen coastal character with sand, pebbles, cliffs or coves depending on the tide and weather.

Families, beach days, coast paths, rock pools and relaxed exploring.

Getting thereParking, arrival and the practical first steps.

Plan the final walk from the car park and check whether the beach is easy with pushchairs, tired legs or beach bags.

What to look forA calmer way to plan with children or visitors.

A useful read before visiting with children, especially for tides, paths, facilities and simple beach expectations.

Before you goThe small checks that make the day easier.

Look up tide times, swimming guidance and weather before you go, especially on wilder beaches.

The full guide

Read straight through, or use the planning notes above to shape an easier coastal day.

Porthoustock was originally a fishing village but in the late 19th Century the main focus was as a port for the local stone quarries.

At one end of the beach is a large disused concrete stone mill which was used for crushing stone to be used in roads. Porthoustock is a popular place for divers to set off to the nearby Manacles to explore the many wrecks found there.

Due to the proximity to the Manacles, the RNLI stationed a lifeboat at Porthoustock between 1869 and 1942

Sea Fishing in this area

This area is big bass country. You can also catch large pollack, many mackerel, wrasse and garfish in this area.

Browse coastline guides

Common questions

Where is Porthoustock?
Porthoustock is a small cove and hamlet on the eastern side of the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall, near the village of St Keverne.
What is Porthoustock known for?
It is known as a popular launch point for divers heading to the Manacles reef, and for the disused stone mill that stands on its beach.
What is there to do in Porthoustock?
You can take in the quiet shingle-and-sand cove, see the old quarry stone mill, watch divers head out to the Manacles, and walk the coast path along the Lizard.
What are the Manacles?
The Manacles are a notorious reef of rocks off the Lizard that have wrecked many ships over the centuries, now a popular diving site rich in marine life.
Is Porthoustock worth visiting?
Yes. For its peaceful setting, fascinating quarrying past and access to the Manacles wrecks, Porthoustock rewards anyone exploring the Lizard's east coast.

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Small Cornish harbour with fishing boats moored in clear water

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Grilled mackerel fillet with rocket and lemon on a plate

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Ideas for preparing, cooking and enjoying seafood.

Editorial illustrations; explore the guides for place and recipe details.