Castle Beach may be found by following
signposts to Pendennis point. Follow the road around the point,
passing the car park on the point and the lay-by at the top of
silver steps. Turn left at the junction to follow the coast road
that leads past the beaches. Castle beach is the first beach and
you should park on the left just before a road leading off to
the right. Park as close to the top of the ramp leading down to
the beach as possible.
The ramp leads down to a pleasant beach, ideal for the family
and with a small beach cafe.Easiest entry is about 50m west
of the ramp, where there is a break in the rocks.
Snorkelling is best just before or after low water. Diving it is
best at mid to high tide where there is more water.
If you follow one of the shallow gullies/breaks in the rock
you will end up on a sandy bottom punctuated with islands of
rock. It is very scenic and on a clear day stunning. Marine life
tends to be small but varied. Cuttlefish are often found to the
west of the entry point and I have seen dogfish, plaice, large
compass jelly fish and even the small bottom living shark that I
have been unable to identify.
To the east and just in front of the eastern edge of Falmouth
Hotel about 20 m south of the low tide mark can be found the
remains of a WW1 U-Boat. There isn't much left but what is left
provides a nice habitat for some large ballen wrasse. It is in
two sections, be sure to have a good look under the plates on
the western side of the southern section. At low water this is
an easy snorkel, but take care not to get caught up.
The site makes a fine spot for a social night dive but is not
suitable for large groups of divers at any time. Maximum depth
8m.
