Hendra Holiday Park is situated just inland from Newquay and a mile and a half from Newquay’s beautiful beaches. Famed for golden sand, sparkling sea, and jaw-dropping coastline.
Newquay beaches have something for everyone, whether you are looking to chill out or max out by catching the waves and enjoying water sports. Whatever your age, and whatever you are seeking there’s a Newquay beach for you.
Take me to my beach!
1. Fistral Beach – The Surfing Capital
Fistral Beach is Newquay’s most famous beach and a hot spot for surfing, attracting surfers from all over the globe. With Fistral Beach Surf School located here, there’s no better place to learn how to ride the waves.
Don’t fancy surfing? No worries! There’s plenty to do with surf boutiques, restaurants, bars, and cafes. A beach perfect for everyone; there is no better place to soak up the good vibes.
2. Towan Beach – Family-Friendly and Central
Just a short wander from Newquay town centre, Towan Beach is ideal for families and for popping to the beach whilst in town. There are calm waters, which makes it a safe place for kids, who will like exploring the rock pools.
3. Porth Beach – Coastal Walks and Family Fun
Porth Beach is just outside of town. A long beach, when it is low tide, makes it ideal for exploration and rock pools. The flatter waters make it an excellent choice for paddle boarders and peaceful sea swims. It is popular with locals, and families. There’s great facilities too, with toilets close by, ice cream shop, the Hole in the Wall, and a pub near by. There’s Roo’s Beach, a unique shop selling cool, laid-back clothes, perfect for stylish beach wear, along with a coffee shop too.
If you like coastal walks, then Trevelgue Head, known locally as Porth Island, delivers. With stunning views over towards Watergate and beyond, plus views over to Newquay: simply stunning.
4. Tolcarne Beach – Rock Pools and Great Facilities
This beach can be reached via steps or slope, with great facilities, and a fantastic restaurant, The Colonial.
Tolcarne is perfect for couples, and for families, with a safe swimming environment. It is also a good surfing spot.
Tolcarne offers some brilliant rock pools, for spotting sea creatures, and larger pools for dipping and paddling.
5. Great Western – The Original Surfing Beach
Great Western is know as the original surfing beach, which can be reached via slope. This beach is popular with families and surfers, and sheltered by high rocks with toilets and good facilities. Close by to the town, you can easily access different facilities in Newquay.
6. Lusty Glaze – A Cosy Cove, great for live music
Lusty Glaze is a privately owned beach, which is a romantic wedding venue, as well as the location of private events. From local live music artists, to Ibiza themed nights: a truly perfect location for being entertained.
The beach has a beach shop, restaurant and toilet facilities.
It is accessible only by some steep steps, so it isn’t suitable for everyone.
A bit further afield
1. Crantock Beach – Wildlife and Serenity
A short drive west of Newquay, Crantock Beach is an expansive beach, surrounded by large sand dunes. Less facilities, and managed by the National Trust, Crantock can be reached via the River Gannel in Newquay, when the tide is out.
On the Gannel you will see a range of birds, including wading birds, and it is a popular spot for kayakers and paddle boarders, who can often be found on a summer’s evening.
Like the beach, the surrounding headland area is perfect for exploration with many coastal paths.
2. Watergate Bay – Wide Open Spaces
About 3 miles south of Newquay, Watergate Bay offers a vast, two-mile-long stretch of sand so you can find a spot just for you! It’s a great location for beach sports, long walks, and kite flying. There’s also an array of restaurants and cafes: perfect for some r and r.
You can walk to Watergate from Porth, a not too long, but absolutely stunning walk with amazing views of the big blue.
3. Holywell Bay – White sand and grassy dunes
This large beach is famed for many things. Named after the ancient Holy Well which is nestled in the dunes, and thought to have healing properties.
The beach has distinctive twin rocks situated in the ocean, called Carter’s or Gull Rocks. These iconic rocks are a good place for watching the sunset too.
Also, there’s a cave that can be found at low-tide. Situated underneath the cliffs on the north end is St Cuthbert’s Cave. Take a torch inside and explore the cave’s colourful mineral formations. Make sure that you leave long before the tide comes in.
Holywell has been featured on TV show Poldark, a promo video for Game of Thrones and a James Bond film.
Away from the screen, it is an awesome beach, great for everyone, with so much space to explore. When the tide is out, there are rockpools children will enjoy paddling in.
Safety Tips for visiting Newquay Beaches
- Check the tides: Check the tide times online before hand, as well as the RNLI website to read up on any specific dangers that you need to be aware of.
- Bring sun lotion, drinks and layers: the Cornish weather is changeable, and the coast can be windy, so you may need an extra layer. Remember to keep hydrated and apply sun lotion regularly: even on cloudy days.
- Respect the environment: Cornwall’s beaches are precious natural habitats. Take your rubbish home and stick to marked paths.
So if you are choosing Hendra Holiday Park for your caravan holiday in Cornwall, or camping holiday in Cornwall, make sure you explore these fantastic beaches! There are just so many to choose from: you really are spoilt for choice with Newquay beaches.
