Surf Beaches in Cornwall
39 surf beaches in Cornwall with waves for all abilities - from gentle rollers for beginners to powerful reef breaks for experienced surfers.
Cornwall picks up more Atlantic swell than anywhere else in England, and the north coast faces the open ocean. Beginners should look for beaches with surf schools and lifeguards, while experienced surfers will find reef breaks and point breaks that hold bigger swells. Summer brings smaller, cleaner waves ideal for learning. Winter delivers powerful ground swells that can hold double overhead. Several of these beaches host competitions and have board hire on site.
Constantine Bay Beach
padstow
Reliable surf beach near Padstow with rock pools at each end. Consistent Atlantic waves suit all levels. Lifeguarded in summer, with bodyboarding and kitesurfing also popular.
Crackington Haven Beach
bude
Coarse sand cove enclosed by dramatic striped sandstone and shale cliffs near Bude. Reliable surf breaks, rock pools, and village cafes above the beach.
Crantock Beach
newquay
Wide sandy beach near Newquay where the Gannel estuary meets the sea. Backed by dunes, quieter than Fistral. Good surf and rock pools at low tide. Parking, dog info, map, and holiday cottages nearby.
Crooklets Beach
bude
Bude's main surf beach with golden sands and one of the UK's oldest surf lifesaving clubs. Annual contests, lifeguards May-Sep, and facilities on site.
Duckpool Beach
bude
Remote National Trust cove north of Bude with large boulders and dramatic cliffs. No facilities, no lifeguards. Strong currents make it better for watching than swimming.
Fistral Beach
newquay
The UK's most famous surf beach - consistent Atlantic swells and a buzzing beach scene in Newquay.
Godrevy Beach
hayle
Wide National Trust beach at the east end of St Ives Bay, with views of Godrevy Lighthouse - the inspiration for Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse. Good surf, seals, and seabirds.
Great Western Beach
newquay
Named after the Great Western Railway, this Newquay beach first introduced the town to surfing. Rock pools and sea caves at the base of the cliffs. Dogs welcome year-round.
Gwithian Towans
hayle
Miles of dune-backed golden sand at the west end of St Ives Bay. Left and right-hand surf breaks for all levels, plus kiteboarding and windsurfing. Surf schools and hire nearby.
Gwynver Beach
penzance
Surf beach near Sennen with powerful Atlantic swells and fewer crowds than its neighbour. Steep cliff path to access the sand. No facilities on the beach - Sennen Cove is a short walk away.
Harlyn Bay Beach
harlyn
Family surf beach near Padstow with consistent waves and a gentle gradient. Dog friendly year-round - no seasonal ban. Surf school on site, lifeguarded in summer. Car park, map, and cottages nearby.
Holywell Bay
holywell bay
Over a mile of dune-backed sand near Newquay, with sea stacks called Gull Rocks rising from the water. Surf, bodyboarding, and tidal pools. Lifeguarded in summer, café and car park on site.
Mawgan Porth
newquay
Wide north coast bay between Newquay and Padstow with rock pools at low tide and reliable surf. Surf schools, cafés, and dog-friendly year-round.
Northcott Mouth Beach
bude
Dog-friendly year-round north coast beach near Bude with rock pools and the 'Devil's Cauldron' tidal formation. Good surf, seasonal café, short walk from car park.
Perranporth Beach
perranporth
3 miles of golden sand with The Watering Hole - a pub built right on the beach. Consistent surf, surf schools, lifeguarded in summer. Parking, dog info, map, and places to stay nearby.
Perranuthnoe Beach
penzance
Dog-friendly year-round beach east of Penzance with views across Mount's Bay. Sandy at low tide with rock pools, good for beginner surfers, café on site.
Poldhu Cove Beach
mullion
Sandy family beach on the Lizard where Marconi sent the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901. Gentle waves, café, and parking.
Polurrian Beach
helston
Surf-friendly beach under Lizard cliffs near Mullion with golden sand and nesting seabirds. No facilities, bring your own supplies.
Polzeath Beach
wadebridge
Half-mile north coast surf beach near Wadebridge with left and right-hand breaks for all abilities. Dunes, cliffs, and multiple surf schools.
Porth Joke (Polly Joke) Beach
newquay
Car-free cove between Crantock and Holywell Bay. Foot access only keeps it quieter than neighbours. Golden sand, wild cliffs, good surf.
Porthcothan Bay Beach
padstow
Sandy bay between Newquay and Padstow with dramatic sea stacks at high tide. Dog-friendly year-round, parking, toilets, and beach shop.
Porthleven Beach
porthleven
Cornwall's most exposed south-facing surf break with powerful winter waves. Harbour-backed with restaurants, dog-friendly year-round, free parking.
Porthmeor Beach
st ives
Atlantic-facing surf beach in St Ives with consistent swell, surf hire and lessons. Below Tate St Ives, lifeguarded in season. Best town surf break.
Porthtowan Beach
truro
North coast surf beach between St Agnes and Portreath, backed by high cliffs on three sides. Reliable Atlantic swell, surf schools, village café and pub above the beach.
Portreath Beach
redruth
Sandy north coast beach backed by a historic harbour and rocky cliffs near Redruth. Reliable surf, lifeguarded in summer, rock pools at the western end, village shops close by.
Praa Sands
praa sands
Exposed south coast beach between Helston and Penzance with strong Atlantic surf. Wide golden sand, popular with bodyboarders and windsurfers. Lifeguarded in summer.
Sandymouth Beach
bude
National Trust beach north of Bude with 'Steeple Rock' rising from the sand. Wide golden strand at low tide, reliable surf, lifeguarded in summer, seasonal café.
Sennen Cove
sennen
Crescent beach just a mile from Land's End with a working harbour and reliable surf. Cafés, a pub, surf schools. One of the most westerly beaches in England.
St Ives Harbour Beach
st ives
Town beach in St Ives harbour with views of fishing boats and yachts, sheltered by Smeaton's Pier. Clear water, all amenities, vibrant Cornish setting.
Summerleaze Beach
bude
Bude's main beach with the iconic Bude Sea Pool - a tidal seawater pool safe for swimming in any conditions. Year-round lifeguards and full amenities.
Tolcarne Beach
newquay
Cliff-sheltered crescent beach in Newquay that connects to neighbouring beaches at low tide. Dog-friendly year-round, café on the sand, lifeguarded May–Sep. Steep access.
Towan Beach
newquay
Newquay's town beach with the famous island house on its suspension bridge. Sheltered cove at high tide, links to Great Western Beach at low tide. Lifeguarded, cafes, 2 min from town. Map and nearby cottages.
Tregardock Beach
newquay
Remote north coast beach near Tintagel with powerful surf and dramatic rock formations. 15–20 min walk down steep path from car park. No facilities, not lifeguarded.
Trevaunance Cove
st agnes
St Agnes's beach, with remains of old harbour walls and mine workings visible on the cliffs. Good surf and bodyboarding, lifeguarded in summer, cafés and pubs on the shore.
Trevone Bay
padstow
Sandy north coast bay near Padstow with a natural blowhole on the western cliffs. Lifeguarded in summer, rock pools, good for families. Surf schools and café on site.
Watergate Bay
watergate bay
2 miles of north coast sand north of Newquay with consistent surf and a strong food scene - The Beach Hut and Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall both above the shore.
Whipsiderry Beach
newquay
Sandy cove north of Newquay hemmed in by high cliffs with a quieter atmosphere than the main town beaches. No facilities, clifftop parking, turquoise water at low tide.
Whitsand Bay
torpoint
4 miles of golden sand on the Rame Peninsula, less visited than north coast beaches. Cliff-backed, great for surfing and bodyboarding, beach cafés scattered along the bay.
Widemouth Bay
bude
Over 2 miles of sand south of Bude with reliable surf for all abilities. Lifeguarded in summer, rock pools at low tide, surf schools, parking and cafés on site.
Places to Stay
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many surf beaches are there in Cornwall?
- We list 39 surf beaches in Cornwall, out of 107 total beaches. Each beach page includes directions, a map, facilities information, and nearby accommodation.
- Which are the best surf beaches in Cornwall?
- All 39 beaches on this page match the "surfing" criteria. 10 of them have lifeguard cover during summer. 28 have parking nearby. Browse the full list below - each beach page has detailed information, photos, and a map.
- Where can I stay near surf beaches in Cornwall?
- Each beach page shows holiday cottages and properties within walking distance. You can also browse all places to stay in Cornwall to find the right base for your beach holiday.
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