Surfing
The first surf city in the UK has a lot of beaches to choose from, ranging from calm waters with golden sand beaches to insanely crowded surf spots. home of the Cribbar, which is the UK’s Nazare. Newquay has a significant place in the history of surfing in the UK, including the beginning of the surfboard manufacturing industry and the competition circuit.
NEWQUAY BAY
Towan Beach Surf Guide
The Newquay beach with the most protection is also a popular spot during powerful southwesterly storms, when the waves can be clean and offshore. The rest of the beach is either fast, short lefts and rights or a huge close out, but a left breaks off the harbour wall. This does not prevent it from being extremely busy when breaking, which can result in chaos. Fun if this is the only way to get wet, but keep an eye out for danger.
Ability Level: Beginner – Intermediate
Hazards: Crowds, stray boards, rocks.
Great Western Surf Guide
Another of Newquay town beaches, this cliff-lined cove transforms into a vast sandbar at low tide. Popular during severe winter storms when all of the other north coast breaks are destroyed by southwesterly winds. Mostly closeouts, but sometimes banks emerge. a fantastic location for novices this summer. Parking in town is close by.
Ability Level: All Abilities
Hazards: Crowds, stray boards, beach disappears as tide pushes in.
north Fistral Surf Guide
Fistral-North offers reliable surf year-round and is fairly exposed. There is some protection from southwest winds here from offshore winds, which come from the southeast. tends to receive a combination of windswells and groundswells, and the ideal swell direction is west-southwest. The waves at the beach break are mostly left-handed. Ideally, at low tide. If working, likely to be crowded. Here, surfing requires navigating dangerous rips.
Ability Level: experienced surfers
Hazards: Crowds, rips, rocks
South Fistral Surf Guide
Another iconic break with long, walling peaks and a long left breaking off the rocks is just a short walk down the beach from “North.” South faces less swell because of Pentire Headland, but it offers some protection from a southwesterly wind. Always crowded with advanced surfers in the back and novices on foamies in the interior. Rips abound in this area.
Ability Level: experienced surfers
Hazards: Crowds, rips, rocks at southern end.
CRantock Beach Surf Guide
This beachbreak and rivermouth with a view of the northwest is a good place to get away from the people of Newquay. Depending on the sandbars, the rivermouth at the northern end can have long lefts and rights, sometimes fast and hollow for tubehounds and long and smooth for loggers. The southern Bowgie end has a peak with long lefts and short rights that comes alive in bigger swells. However, this is a favorite spot of the heavy local crew, so only experienced surfers should go here.
Ability Level: All Abilities
Hazards: Dirty water.
Watergate Bay Surf Guide
This two-mile stretch of sand can produce punchy lefts and rights along its length, depending on the banks, and is a popular contest venue to the north of Newquay. In the past, this location was thought to be a less crowded alternative to Fistral with a less competitive vibe. However, in recent years, it has become increasingly crowded. A short walk either north or south usually brings you to a quieter peak, whereas the middle of the beach gets crowded because it is so close to the access. Works at all tides, but be careful not to be cut off at high tide when the beach recedes.
Ability Level: All Abilities
Hazards: Beware of tide pushing up to cliffs.