Cornwall is the UK’s number destination for surfing (although we may be a little biased…). The region is home to some of the very best surfing beaches in Europe, with consistent waves and big swells – but where exactly are the top spots to catch the best waves?
Whether you’re a complete novice or consider yourself something of a pro, there’s a beach close to our Newquay holiday park that’s right for you! Here we pick out our top five surfing beaches in Cornwall… So, grab your board and get ready!
Fistral Beach
We can’t really talk about surfing hotspots without kicking off with arguably the most iconic beach of them all – Fistral. This is one of the most popular surfing beaches in the world, let alone in Cornwall. This large beach can get a busy, especially in the summer months, but is rightly up there as the place to surf in Cornwall because of its consistent waves. It is home to many of the UK’s big pro surfing competitions and is a great place to give this sport a go, with plenty of surf schools offering lessons from here, too.
Porthtowan
Just a short drive down the coast from our Cornwall holiday park is Porthtowan. A popular spot (but much less so than Fistral), this small coastal village has something of a ‘cool factor’. It enjoy more swell than nearby Giwthian and they pack a mighty punch. The waves here roll in fast, so you best be on your game!
Praa Sands, near Helston
Cornwall’s south coast offers less for surfers than the north coast, with smaller waves and swell due to the common wind conditions here. However, there are still some notable beaches that are well worth a go. One of the most well-known spots is Praa Sands, about half-way between Helston and St Michael’s Mount. The waters can be a little crowded with surfers when the conditions are ideal but it is a big beach and can cope. It can produce bigger waves than some of its more well-known north coast rivals and often hollow.
Sennen
If you don’t mind a bit of a drive then head west to Sennen on a windy day and get ready for some big waves. Due to its exposed location, Sennen can thow up some decent waves to test even the most accomplished of surfers. If you include Gwenver at the northern end then there is a wide range of conditions on offer, it can be 6ft at the northern end and 2ft in front of the car park. This beach also has the bonus of being OK when there’s a south-westerly breeze.
Crantock Beach
If you prefer to stay closer to home then Crantock Beach should definitely be on your list. It offers a fairly consistent surf. It tends to receive a mix of groundswells and windswells and the ideal swell direction is from the west. The only downside to surfing here are the rip currents – and it is advised that only experienced swimmers and surfers venture into these waters.
Whichever beach you choose to visit, our Newquay caravan park is the perfect place to experience it all. We have a wide range of self-catering accommodation for you to choose from as well as touring, camping and glamping pods.
