Surfing in Newquay

Newquay is the surf capital of the UK. No other town in Britain has as many surf schools, surf shops and board hire businesses packed into such a small stretch of coast, and on a summer's day you can see hundreds of people in the water across its beaches. It is the place where many British surfers caught their first wave, and it still sets the pace for the surf industry in this country.

Newquay's surf beaches

Fistral Beach is the most famous surf beach in Britain. It faces west into the Atlantic, picks up almost any swell and has hosted national and international surf competitions for decades. On the other side of Towan Head, the town beaches of Towan, Great Western, Tolcarne and Lusty Glaze are more sheltered and often a better choice when the swell is big or the wind is from the west. Further north, Porth and Watergate Bay offer wide open sand with plenty of room, while Crantock, across the Gannel estuary, is a quieter option on the right tide.

For experienced big wave surfers, the Cribbar reef off Towan Head only breaks on the largest winter swells, when it can produce waves of 20 feet or more.

When to surf in Newquay

Summer is the busiest season, with small to medium waves, warm water and RNLI lifeguards on the main beaches. It is the best time to book lessons. Autumn often brings the best surf of the year with fewer crowds. Winter is cold and powerful, and spring can bring clean, uncrowded days.

More than surfing

Newquay is a lively town with bars, restaurants and accommodation for every budget, and it hosts the Boardmasters surf and music festival each August. It is easy to reach, with its own airport and a branch rail line, and it makes a good base for exploring the rest of Cornwall's north coast.

Surf businesses in Newquay

Browse the categories below to find surf schools, surf shops, board hire and other surf businesses in Newquay. Every listing shows contact details and directions, and local businesses can claim their listing for free.