An exposed, west-facing beach break that picks up more swell than almost anywhere else on the coast. Consistent, and on the right day it works for every level, from first-timers to contest surfers.
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Newquay is packed with surf schools and board hire, and the town beaches offer gentle waves for your first sessions. It is one of the easiest places in the UK to get started.
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The main beaches are RNLI lifeguarded in season. Surf between the black-and-white flags, keep out of the red-and-yellow bathing zone and watch for rip currents.
Surf safety arrow_forwardFistral is the beach that made Newquay the home of UK surfing. Facing due west into the open Atlantic, it catches almost every swell going, which is why it is so consistent and why it hosts national and international contests. On a small, clean day the peaks are friendly enough for improvers to find their feet; when a solid groundswell lines up, Fistral can throw up fast, punchy walls that test the best in the lineup. It gets busy when it is on, so pick your peak, watch your right of way and give the stronger surfers room.
View on Google Maps open_in_newJust around the headland from Fistral, Newquay's town beaches – Towan, Great Western and Tolcarne – sit more sheltered from the prevailing wind and often hold a cleaner, more manageable wave when Fistral is maxing out. A couple of miles up the coast, the wide sands of Watergate Bay give you room to spread out and are a favourite for lessons and longer, mellower rides. Between them you can almost always find a beach that matches the swell, the wind and your level on any given day.
View on Google Maps open_in_newJust across the Gannel estuary to the south, Crantock is a beautiful beach that tends to be quieter than Fistral and the town beaches. It picks up plenty of swell and offers a more relaxed session when the main spots are crowded, though the estuary means the sandbanks and rip currents shift, so keep an eye on the water and stay near the lifeguards in season.
View on Google Maps open_in_newNewquay has one of the highest concentrations of surf schools anywhere in the country, on Fistral, Watergate Bay and the town beaches. A first lesson usually starts on the sand with safety, the pop-up and how to read the waves, before you head out on a soft-top to catch the whitewater. It is a friendly, low-pressure way to get your first rides and to learn where and when it is safe to paddle out. See our learn to surf guide to know what to expect.
Most schools and surf shops in town also hire out boards and wetsuits by the hour, the day or the week, which is handy if you are travelling light or want to try a different board before you buy. It is a good way to test a shorter board or a mini-mal in real conditions. If you are weighing up your own setup, our surf gear guide runs through boards, wetsuits and leashes for UK waves.
Cornish water is never tropical. In late summer the sea sits around 15 to 16°C, warm enough for a 3/2mm wetsuit, while in winter it drops to roughly 8 to 9°C, when you will want a 5/4mm suit plus boots, gloves and a hood. Get the rubber right and you can surf Newquay comfortably all year round.
Newquay has been the beating heart of British surf culture for decades, and it shows. Surf shops, cafés and board makers line the streets, and the seven main beaches are all within a short walk or drive of the centre. Whether you are here for a weekend or a fortnight, it is an easy base with everything a travelling surfer needs close to hand.
When the surf goes flat or the wind turns onshore, the South West Coast Path runs right along the clifftops, with headland walks and views over every beach in town. Add the coves and estuary beaches nearby and there is plenty to fill a day off the water before the next swell arrives.
Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY) sits just outside the town, with seasonal and year-round flights from several UK cities. It is the quickest way down if you are coming from the north, and only a short taxi or bus ride from the beaches once you land.
Newquay has its own station on a branch line from Par, on the main London to Penzance route. Change at Par and you are into Newquay in around 45 minutes. It is a scenic way to arrive, though carrying a board bag is easier if you are travelling light or hiring on arrival.
Most surfers drive. Newquay is around 40 minutes from the A30, the main road through Cornwall, and driving gives you the freedom to chase the swell between beaches and up and down the coast. In peak season, arrive early to find parking near the busier breaks.
For many surfers autumn is the best time to be in Newquay. Clean Atlantic groundswell rolls in more often, the summer crowds have thinned and the water is still relatively mild after the summer. A 3/2mm or 4/3mm wetsuit sees you through most sessions, and Fistral in particular comes into its own.
Summer brings the warmest water, at around 15 to 16°C, lifeguards on all the main beaches and smaller, friendlier waves, which makes it the ideal time to learn or to get the family in the water. The beaches are busiest at this time of year, so surf early or late and keep clear of the bathing zones.
Winter delivers the biggest, most powerful surf, for experienced surfers who do not mind the cold. The water drops to around 8 to 9°C, so a 5/4mm wetsuit with boots, gloves and a hood is essential. The lineups are quieter, but the conditions are heavier, so know your limits and check the forecast before you paddle out. Our gear guide covers choosing a winter wetsuit.
Yes. On a small-to-moderate day Fistral and the town beaches work well for first-timers, and there are plenty of surf schools and board hire in town. Always surf between the RNLI's black-and-white flags and pick a beach that suits your level. See our learn to surf guide.
A 3/2mm wetsuit is fine through late summer, when the water sits around 15 to 16°C. In winter the sea drops to roughly 8 to 9°C, so you will want a 5/4mm suit plus boots, gloves and a hood.
Autumn is the classic season: clean Atlantic groundswell, lighter winds and warmer water than winter. Summer is best for learning, while winter brings the biggest, most powerful surf for experienced surfers.
Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY) is just outside the town. There is a branch train line to Newquay from Par, on the main London–Penzance route, and by car it is around 40 minutes from the A30. Explore more spots on our UK destinations hub.
See how Newquay compares to the rest of the region in our Cornwall & Devon surf guide.