The father, mother and three young children were walking along a barrier at Mullion Cove, which is almost the southernmost point in all of Britain.
Suddenly, a 20ft wave came over the top of the wall, drenching all four members of the family.
Witnesses criticised the parents for taking their children so close to the sea during turbulent conditions, which have prompted officials to warn the public to stay away from the coast.
The incident could have been extremely dangerous for the parents and children, who were in the middle of a narrow walkway and were nearly swept into the sea.
But thankfully, the unidentified family appeared to be unhurt - even if they were left extremely wet.
Onlooker Phil Rodda, who was standing at a safe distance during the incident yesterday , said he was shocked to see the family exposing themselves to potential danger.
'We could see the young family, a man and a woman with three or four kids in all,' he said. 'The man was lifting his little girl up against the railings so she could get a better view.
