Newquay has the best surf beaches in the United Kingdom, with some world-class breaks available close to town. The consistency of good quality waves and the variety of surf beaches is what draws so many people to this beautiful coastal town.
Because there are so many beaches around Newquay, there are always good waves available to suit different tides, weather conditions and surfer ability. This article will take a look at some of those fantastic surf beaches and the surf schools in Newquay, which can help you get started.
Newquay Surf Beaches
There are many surf beaches located in and around Newquay including:
Watergate Bay
Located about 3-miles from Newquay, this wide beach has beautiful golden sand that stretches for 2-miles along the coast. Steep cliffs border some parts of the beach and there are a number of access paths to the beach.
Watergate Bay is popular with families and surfers alike, with great surfing breaks straight off the Atlantic. The surf is best during a mid-high tide and when there is a breeze from the South East. A great beach for surfers of all skill levels. There are various facilities near the beach including toilets, coffee shops, restaurants and water sports hire facilities.
Porth Beach
A beautiful wide beach surrounded by two headlands. Porth Beach has a very large tidal range, so during low tide, it can be quite a walk to the surf. There are both left and right breaks depending on how the sandbars have formed. Care should be taken at Porth Beach because rips do occur, usually after stormy weather. Surf is best at high-tide. A great beach for surfers of all levels, but watch out for those rips!
There are life guards (May – September), toilets, cafes, restaurants and access is easy with the carpark close to the beach. Porth Beach is about 5-minutes from Newquay by car.
Mawgan Porth beach
Mawgan Porth has some of the best waves in Cornwall. It is a patrolled surf beach that is located just 5-miles from Newquay. Mawgan Porth is a sandy beach that is surrounded by beautiful cliffs and abundant vegetation. During low tide there are some caves worth exploring. The surf is best when the wind is a southerly. There is easy parking, toilets, a pub, surfboard hire and tuition, beach shop and cafe.
Tolcarne
Tolcarne consistently produces good surf and is a popular break with locals. The surf is generally cleaner in the summer/spring months and is best when there are SW winds at high tide. The beach is nestled inside a crescent-shaped bay that provides some shelter from the wind. Boogie boarders enjoy the “Tolcarne wedge”, a cross wave off the headland. It is a popular family beach that has many useful amenities, rock pools and great sea fishing. This beach is a 2-minute walk from the Newquay town centre.
Lusty Glaze
This beach sometimes has a very large swell that beginners should be careful with. There are also rocky outcrops to be avoided, which are less visible during high tide. Lusty Glaze is definitely well-patrolled due the fact the National Beach Lifeguard Training Centre is located here. There are both left and right breaks that perform well regardless of tide.
Live ON the beach, no kidding you couldn’t be closer to the beach!
The beach has plenty of facilities close by including cafes, a beach kiosk, restaurants, and toilets. Lusty Glaze is about a 5-minute drive from Newquay.
Great Western
Another consistent break that performs well during any kind of tide, Great Western is a fantastic beach for beginner surfers. Just take care with some rocky outcrops that are hidden during high-tide.
The beach has a number of coves which are fun to explore. The best time to visit the beach is at low tide when the beach joins up with the neighbouring beaches of Towan and Tolcarne. Great Western is only a 1-minute walk from many facilities including restaurants, toilets and cafes.
Fistral Beach
North Fistral Beach is a great surfing option when big swells are coming in, regardless of the tide. It is a right-hand break usually, but occasionally high-tide sees the water break from the left. It is a very popular beach during summer and a great spot for surfers of all skill levels.
South Fistral surfs well at high-tide and usually has a good left break when the swells is southwest. Beginners can do well here, but there are occasionally rips during big swells. The beach is about 8-minutes from Newquay by car.
Towan Beach
One of the tamer surf options because it is so sheltered from the Atlantic, however, it can provide some decent surfing when conditions are good. It’s a great spot for beginners who want to test their skills on some small swells. Unlike some of the other beaches, it can remain surf-able throughout the entire year and is a popular surfing spot in winter.
During high tide, the beach is usually completely submerged, and during that time, most people relax on the grassy hills or at nearby cafes. Towan Beach is about 11-minutes from Newquay by car.
Crantock Beach
A consistent break located on the River Gannel estuary. This is a beautiful sandy beach with sand dunes, surrounded by some cliffs and rocky outcrops. This break is suitable for surfers of all skill levels, however when the swell is large, there can be rips. This break surfs best when the wind is a south-easterly and the swell is coming from the west. The beach is a 15-minute drive from Newquay.
Facilities include toilets, shops, lifeguards (May to September), close parking and a nearby passenger ferry.
The Cribber
A break for experienced surfers only, the Cribber is a reef break that surfs well in Autumn/Winter with a westerly swell. Don’t try this spot if you are a beginner!
Newquay Surf Schools
Because there are so many great breaks around Newquay, there are plenty of surf schools available to help you improve your surfing skills. Some of the most popular include:
- Kingsurf Surf School
One of the larger surf schools, it has been operating since 1997. They are located at Mawgan Porth. - Newquay Activity Centre
A popular activities provider in Newquay, they offer surf lessons, bodyboard lessons and coastline activities. - Big Green Surf School
Offer a wide variety of classes for all skill levels - Quicksilver Surf School Newquay
Located near Fistral beach, they cater to surfers of any skill level. - Ticket to Ride Surf School
Located 50 meters from the breaks around Newquay Bay, they provide surf hire, surf lessons, stand up paddling lessons and more - Fistral Beach Surf School
The only surf school located at Fistral Beach, they have lessons for surfers of any skill level. - The Escape Surf School
One of the longest running surf schools in the area, they have surf lessons and accommodation packages. - Adams Surf School
Surf lessons with video analysis and surf lessons with pro riders.
