Facing the Atlantic Ocean, the narrow rocky inlet of Port Quin provides a naturally sheltered harbour for sea-going vessels.

The cove gives its name to Port Quin Bay, a 2.5 mi (4.0 km) stretch of coast that extends from Kellan Head to The Rumps.

[1] During the medieval period, boats from Port Quin often sailed to Wales trading coal, manure, antimony, lead and building ashlar.

As Port Quin dwindled to the size of a hamlet, its demise gave rise to the local legend of disaster at sea.

One version states that one Sunday - breaking the Sabbath - all the men of village put to sea but were lost in a great storm that destroyed the entire fishing fleet.

Port Quin Mine worked a small lode of Antimony with an adit about 400m upstream from the beach, and two shafts further up the slope.

There is a sea kayaking company based in the harbour called Cornish Coast adventures that runs tours between Easter and October and explores the old antimony mines and the local coastline.