Molunan beach

View map of beach Parking available Toilets available South West Coast Path SSSI Dog friendly Good water quality for swimming

Season: autumn

In bright sunshine on a low tide, the Molunan beaches felt like a private haven amidst the yachting activity on Carrick Roads.  Sailing boats made their way out from Mylor, Flushing or Falmouth to round St Anthony Head, perhaps just on their way to Porthbeor beach on the other side of the headland, or maybe on to Fowey, the Yealm or even further afield.  One or two had anchored off Great Molunan beach, their sailors now gazing across to Falmouth and the Helford Estuary from these beautiful beaches.

A summer walk on the Roseland – photo gallery

Autumn visit photo gallery

 

David and Gaye’s affection for Great Molunan beach, their “Anniversary Bay”.

St Antony-in-Roseland Cottages

 

Looking down on the Molunans with Sam and Georgina in the sunshine.

 

On the rocks at low tide between Little Molunan and Great Molunan beaches.

Season: winter

This was a bright, clear, sunny day at the Molunans on the Roseland Peninsula.  However, the approach to the beaches from St Anthony Head lighthouse told a story of storm damage, as the wooden walkway to the beach lay in tatters.  Such is the diversity that one finds at the beach that it didn’t seem possible, as this visit’s weather was so benign.  The ebb tide cast gentle breakers against the soft sand, a world away from the wildness that had just passed.

Winter visit photo gallery

 

The changing face of the beach for Anthony.

 

Winter sunshine at the Molunans.

Season: summer

The tide was high, covering Great and Little Molunan beaches. Today’s scene-setting film was from above the beaches, next to St Anthony Head lighthouse, scanning the Carrick Roads and the surrounding beaches included in the series.  Stuart and Adele were fishing from the WWII jetty, referenced by Nicky on a previous visit as the access point for her regular swims.

Summer visit photo gallery

 

Stuart’s empathy for the sea.

 

A fine vista from above the Molunan beaches on the Roseland Peninsula.

Season: spring

The sun broke through, after a spell of low pressure.  The Molunan beaches are isolated and natural, located on the bottom tip of the Roseland Peninsula.  Despite their isolation, you can see wildlife, boats and Falmouth itself from here.  You’re effectively right under St Anthony Head lighthouse.  The sailing and fishing boats seem to pass within touching distance on their way out to Falmouth Bay and beyond.  They look like they’re starting a great adventure and you want to jump on board for the ride, to go where they are going as they battle out into the open sea.

Spring visit photo

 

With Pat on Great Molunan beach.

 

A rising tide on Great Molunan beach.

Season: winter

This was a spectacularly beautiful morning.  Great Molunan and Little Molunan beaches face West at the foot of the Roseland Peninsula, opposite Falmouth on the Carrick Roads.  They are next to St Anthony Head lighthouse and there is parking at the top of the path down to the beach.

Winter visit photo

 

Chatting to Nicky in an idyllic setting on Great Molunan beach at the end of January.

One thought on “Molunan beach

  1. Miranda

    The beaches of Molunan and Porthbeor are so much part of my life that it’s difficult to describe what they mean to me.  In my childhood and when my own two boys were young, they were places for picnics, swimming, boats and always family, cousins galore.   I remember hot summer days walking back up from Porthbeor beach in bare feet and looking back down, wishing I were still there.  I hated having to say goodbye.

    I love their wild romance in the winter and spring and enjoy looking at the views which are ever changing but always breathtakingly beautiful.  I think Byron put in words what I feel about the beach and the coast and I am reminded of them when I am going for a walk and looking down on these beaches:

    ‘There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore,

    There is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar:

    I love not man the less, but nature more, from these our interviews, in which I steal

    From all I may be, or have been before, to mingle with the universe, and feel

    What I can ne’er express, yet cannot all conceal. ‘

    I love swimming off Molunan or Porthbeor in the early morning, before breakfast, with my sister, when the sea is as clear as glass and there is no-one around except for us, and when our boys, who are now in their twenties, join us, there is really nothing to beat it.

    And every beach I go to, whether abroad or here in the UK, has to be really special to match these two beaches.  I have been spoilt!  Such happy, happy, memories.

    Reply

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