Taking a dip in the clear waters of Ray Pool is the stuff dreams are made of. The water shimmers blue or emerald according to the light and the surrounding rock walls are jagged and dramatic. In fact they appear so steep and foreboding that many people walking the coastal path above assume the pool is inaccessible.
However, look a little more closely and you’ll see that scrambling down is actually not too difficult and your reward is rockpool paradise. If there’s a more sublime swimming spot in Cornwall we haven’t found it yet; though we’re definitely still looking!
Here’s how to find Ray Pool and what to expect when you do.
The walk to Ray Pool
The stats
Distance: 715m each way
Elevation gain: 50m
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Rinsey Car Park
Summary: The walk to Ray Pool is easy up until the scramble down to the pool. Though the path descends from the car park, it’s so gradual that it almost feels flat.
The scramble down to the pool should only be attempted when dry as this is when the rock is nice and grippy.
It may look intimating at first, but if you follow the route down that we describe in the track notes below, it’s actually quite easy - much more so than the routes down to some of Cornwall’s beaches which have slippery rock or loose dirt.
The required tide and swell
Rinsey Pool is much more affected by the tide and swell than many of Cornwalls tidal pools. For this one, you want to visit within two hours either side of low tide and when the swell is slight.
Even on a slight swell - due to it’s proximately to some large rocks that waves crash around - you will still experience some light waves in the pool, but nothing that would knock you around in any way unless you were very unlucky and a rogue wave came in.
Unlike some tidal pools such as those at Treyarnon and Porthcothan, you are right up against the sea in Ray Pool, so you really do want to save this for a day when the water is calm.
The trail
From Rinsey car park, you follow the dirt/gravel path between the bracken. You will see the Wheal Prosper engine house ruin up ahead of you. You’ll pass the ruin 200m after leaving the car park.
Soon after you will see a trail branch off to the right and you will see the steep, but stable route down to the small sandy cove of Porthcew.
This is an optional detour, but only takes five minutes or so each way. However, if you are coming for the window after low tide rather than before, I would save it for your return walk to make sure you don’t feel rushed at Ray Pool.
To continue to Ray Pool, at the 280m mark, take the trail leading downhill by the coast path signpost. The narrow path heads along the cliff top with stunning sea views.
At the 500m mark you’ll see a worn social trail leading off to the right. Follow this 30 second detour and it will give you your first glimpse of Ray Pool.
To reach it head back onto the main path and follow it for just under 100m. Take the narrow track branching off to the right.
After 40m you will reach the rocky section. There’s a little bit of rocky worn track and then you will come to the scramble.
You can see the spot to aim for in the photo below, it’s roughly in the middle of the rocky area, not the side on the far left where you’ll sometimes see people fishing.
The rocks almost form a gully which lasts for 75m and though it is steep, it looks harder than it really is.
Providing the rock is dry, it’s grippy and you can climb down rock by rock until you reach a large flat sloped rock at the foot of the pool.
If you aren’t a fan of scrambling you may like to sit on your bum and lower yourself down bit by bit, which can help you feel more secure. It takes just a few minutes of carefully climbing downhill to reach the pool.
Swimming at Ray Pool
Swimming at Ray Pool is magical. Pick a sunny day and the water is the most sensational colour. It varies between azure blue and a luminous emerald making it one of the most spectacular water colours I’ve seen in any rockpool anywhere in the world.
If you pick a cloudy dull day it will be a grey/dark blue in colour. Still beautiful, but if you’re looking for those hard to believe it’s real blues and greens, pick a bright sunny day and you won’t be disappointed.
In terms of entering the water, it’s quite easy. You can either slide off the main rock slope into the water, or use the left wall for security and extra footholds and step down into shallow water.
The water is only shallow for a couple of steps and then it is very deep.
Even in summer, it can be a little chilly, but as long as you have some sun you can warm up inbetween dips on the rock slab.
If you aren’t used to cold water swimming, you should enter the water slowly so you can see how your body reacts.
In terms of the swimming experience, there are no rocks through the majority of the pool so you can swim to your hearts content and not really have to worry about knocking into anything. As mentioned, even on a slight swell some waves will enter the pool, but they are generally small.
The pool is bigger than it looks in photos and from inside the water the jagged rock walls appear huge making this one of the most atmospheric rockpools I have ever visited.
When you’re ready to leave the pool, you exit the same way and it’s even easier going uphill as it always feels more stable than descending. You could then either head back to the car park or continue along the coast path for a longer walk.
Keep them wild
Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. It’s important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come.
Litter tends to breed litter, so if you do spot any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the area, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean.
Where to park for Ray Pool
The closest car park is Rinsey car park, Cornwall TR13 9TS, run by the National Trust, you can see it here on Google maps. It’s currently free of charge for everyone, not just members. It’s around 30 minutes from Lizard, 50 minutes from Truro and an hour from Newquay.
There are no facilities at the car park.
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