Top Surfing Beaches in Cornwall

In case you’ve not previously heard of it, Cornwall is a county on England’s southwestern tip. It is well known for its wild moorland, sandy beaches and, thanks to its location jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, its swell, which is a magnetic for some of the UK’s top surfers.

While the Cornish Riviera on the south coast of Cornwall is home to a multitude of oh-so-pretty harbor villages, the north Cornish coast is lined with towering cliffs and is the place for surfing. Furthering cementing its reputation as a surf capital, Cornwall is also the location of the Fistral Boardmasters, which is the biggest pro-surf competition in Europe. This article focuses on the top resorts if you want to catch the best waves.

1. Fistral Beach, Newquay

If you’re thinking of a surfing vacation in the UK then Newquay is the place to head for and, as the location of the Fistral Boardmasters, Fistral Beach has to rein top of the list of the best surfing beaches in the UK. It holds swell up to 8 ft and if certain Atlantic swell conditions are right you may find the rare Cribbar at the north end of Fistral Beach, which is a huge reef surf break that occurs a few times a year, with heights of about 20–25 ft! However, being one of the best known places for surfing, Fistral gets busy during the summer months.

2. Gwithian Beach near Hayle

If you’re looking for somewhere a little less crowded, Gwithian Beach will appeal as it’s a pretty long stretch of coastline, meaning there’s room for everyone. The waves are also reasonably consistent; however, it is pretty windy and so may appeal more to windsurfers. There’s plenty of parking near the beach and there’s also a café and beach shop.

3. Perranporth Beach

Another sizeable beach is Perranporth as at low tide it joins with Penhale to form one of the largest stretches of unbroken sand on the Cornish north coast. Head to the Penhale side of the beach, where the sand dunes are, for a more c hilled vibe and the best waves – it is slightly more difficult to get to but is worth the extra effort! There’s also plenty in Perranporth town to entertain those there not for the surf, including rockpools, caves, a natural stream and Chapel Rock.

4. Polzeath Beach

Ok, we have an admission to make. Polzeath Beach, which is near Rock, is one of our favorite places in Cornwall. However, as well as our bias, we have good reason to include it on this list! Although it doesn’t have the biggest waves owing to its reasonably sheltered position, it is a great place to head for if you’re a beginner – there are also various surf schools operating in the area, as well as shops where you can hire equipment and wet suits. It’s also a decent location for paddleboarding and you can windsurf in nearby Wadebridge. Foodies will enjoy its close location to Padstow, the famous coastal home of Rick Stein where you can sample fresh British seafood and, of course, fresh-baked Cornish pasties!

5. Porthtowan Beach

The waves on Porthtowan Beach grow exponentially as the tide goes out and they are fast, making it better suited to those with experience. The beach is a frequent winner of the Blue Flag award, which is given in recognition of environmental excellence, and there are places to eat and also a little shop for when you’re not in the water.