13 Things to do in Newquay: A Local’s Guide
Newquay is one of Cornwall’s most popular coastal destinations, famous for its golden beaches, fantastic surf, and vibrant atmosphere....
Whether you’re just starting out or already carving waves like a pro, discovering the best Cornish surfing beaches is a must for any coastal adventure. Renowned globally for its surf scene, Cornwall boasts a stunning array of coves, bays, and beaches that are perfect for watersports enthusiasts.
Wondering when to catch the best waves? While Cornwall’s summer brings warmer sea temperatures, many of the top surfing beaches in Cornwall actually offer prime conditions in autumn and winter—making it a year-round destination for surfers.
Read on to explore our favourite spots for surfing in Cornwall and start planning your next seaside escape.
Use the quick links below to find a specific beach, or read on for our full guide to the best beaches for surfing in Cornwall.
These popular spots are some of the most iconic surfing beaches Cornwall has to offer.
Fistral Beach is a legendary spot – and for good reason. It’s the proud home of Boardmasters, one of the UK’s biggest surf festivals, and a key player in the Newquay surfing scene.
Known for its powerful, barrelling beach breaks, Fistral is often considered Cornwall’s top surfing beach. Whether you’re just starting out or already carving up the waves, it’s a must-surf destination.
At the northern end of the beach lies the Cribbar, a reef break famous for producing giant waves when the swell is right, with some reaching up to 30 feet!
New to the sport? Fistral Beach Surf School offers expert tuition right on the sand. More advanced surfers might want to plan a winter visit. February brings cleaner conditions and solid swells for a more challenging ride.
Watergate Bay, located just north of Newquay, is a premier surfing destination in Cornwall. Its west-facing, two-mile stretch of golden sand captures consistent Atlantic swells, making it ideal for surfers of all levels.
The beach offers surfable conditions across most tides, with mid to high tide being optimal. Sheltering cliffs provide protection from winds, ensuring quality waves. Home to the English National Surfing Championships, Watergate Bay also features surf schools like Wavehunters, offering lessons and equipment hire year-round.
With a vast expanse of sand and beach breaks that work across different tides, Perranporth is a great choice for surfing in Cornwall. It’s less crowded than Fistral but still offers excellent conditions and a vibrant surf culture.
It’s backed by sand dunes, and the consistent swell works across a range of tides. If you’re a beginner or wanting to perfect your skills, check out Perranporth Surf School. Whether you’re looking to catch your first wave or ride long, clean lines on a quiet evening session, Perranporth delivers a classic Cornish surf experience.
Less than two miles from Land’s End, Sennen Cove sits at the toe end of Cornwall. Settled in a crescent shape, the beach has board hire and is suitable for learners.
Picking up as much swell as the north coast beaches, you’ll find bigger waves towards the northern end of the cove at North Rocks. Experienced surfers can head in search of Cowloes, a reef resting around 100m from the shore. Definitely one for those who know the area, you can find excellent surf here, but beware of the semi-submerged rocks.
For more extreme sports here, why not try some rock climbing in Sennen Cove? It’s on our list of best places to go climbing in Cornwall.
Just getting started? These beaches are ideal for surfing in Cornwall for beginners, with gentle waves, soft sands, and supportive local surf schools.
Tucked below the cliffs in the heart of Newquay, Great Western Beach is a fantastic spot for beginners and those looking for a more relaxed surf. Its sheltered position means the waves are often smaller and more manageable, making it one of the best options for surfing in Cornwall for beginners.
Despite being close to Newquay’s busier beaches, Great Western has a more laid-back vibe and often fewer crowds. The soft sandy bottom and consistent conditions make it a great place to build confidence, and local surf schools are on hand to help you get started.
Located near Padstow, Harlyn Bay is popular with families and first-time surfers. It’s sheltered from westerly winds and offers consistent, mellow surf that’s perfect for building confidence.
The beach features a sandy bottom and is best surfed at mid to high tide, as low tide can lead to closing waves. While Harlyn is beginner-friendly on smaller swells, it can present fast, hollow waves during larger swells, appealing to more experienced surfers.
Harlyn Surf School, situated right on the beach, provides lessons and equipment hire, ensuring a supportive environment for those new to the sport.
Praa Sands Beach is another south coast spot representing some of the best surfing in Cornwall. This popular beach can get quite busy, but it’s worth trying to squeeze in to enjoy those barrel waves near high tide.
Visit Praa Sands Beach in Spring, specifically April, to get the best surf. Walk out along the mile-long golden sands to Hendra. Here you can pick up a little more swell, a favourite amongst bodyboarders too.
Next up on our list of surfing beaches in Cornwall is Widemouth Bay in Bude. This long, sandy beach enjoys exposed conditions with consistent surf all year-round.
Home to the only designated surfing area in Bude, Widemouth Bay is great for beginners thanks to the sloping sandbanks and low swell.
Black Rock Reef to the south and Camel Rock Reef to the north produce quality waves. Plenty of surf schools reside at Widemouth Bay too, providing you with lots of choice at the start of your surfing journey.
If you’re looking to escape the crowds and enjoy some peaceful wave time, these quieter spots deliver consistent surf with fewer people.
Located on Cornwall’s North Coast, Polzeath is a renowned surfing destination celebrated for its consistent waves and welcoming atmosphere. The beach faces west, which captures Atlantic swells, producing gentle, rolling waves ideal for beginners and longboarders.
The village vibe is friendly, and the smaller surf scene makes it a great alternative to other surfing beaches in Cornwall. Surfing conditions are best with offshore easterly winds and a west-northwest swell, and the beach offers surfable conditions across all tides.
One of the more idyllic surfing spots in Cornwall is Crantock Beach. Owned by the National Trust and sitting between rugged cliffs, it’s a haven for wildlife too.
Crantock rests alongside the River Gannel, across from Newquay. Flanked by the Pentire Headlands, it offers a sheltered river break.
Enjoy Crantock Beach’s consistent surf throughout the year; Fistral’s quieter and calmer neighbour.
Located between St Agnes and Hayle, on Cornwall’s North Coast, Portreath is a lesser-known gem with a strong local surf scene. The beach break here offers lefts and rights that are great for intermediate surfers, while the harbour wall produces a fast, powerful right-hand reef break known as the “Vortex” — strictly for the experienced.
Although the beach can be beginner-friendly on smaller days, conditions vary quickly, so it’s best to check with local surf schools or lifeguards. Less crowded than nearby hotspots, Portreath is a great option if you’re looking for solid waves and a more laid-back atmosphere.
To help you plan your visit to these beaches, here is a useful map showing their locations:
Surfing in Cornwall is just one of the ways to enjoy the ocean. Why not embark on a sea adventure on a Cornwall boat trip, whether a sea safari or fishing excursion? At Cornish Cottage Holiday, we have a wide range of independently owned self-catering cottages perfect for your surfing break.
Image credits – Steve Daniels – CC BY-SA 2.0; Nilfanion – CC BY-SA 3.0; Ian Knight – CC BY-SA 2.0; Rod Allday – CC BY-SA 2.0; Reading Tom – CC BY 2.0; Nigel Wassell – CC BY-SA 2.0; Reading Tom – CC BY 2.0; Lawrie Cate – CC BY 2.0.