on 08/03/2023
Since we've now established the best beaches in Cornwall for a lounge around (see our latest blog here for more details) we thought now would be the perfect time to come up with a definitive list of the best one's for more high octane acitvities.
Cornwall is far from short of amazing beaches and famous waves - but which beaches and waves are the best for beginner surfers, intermediate wave wanderers and professional water people?
We've answered this question in three parts: The Best beaches for beginners, The best beaches for familiars and The best pro-surf spots. So, without further ado, here are the Best Beaches in Cornwall for Surfing in 2023.
We always recommend Gwithian Beach to beginners, and for good reason. It's stunning, has medium-sized, consistent waves and is never busy to the point where it could be intimidating. It's also fairly long (as UK beaches go) which means even on a great surf day you never feel you're in the way or being watches by 10 more experiences surfers waiting to get their turn.
The word 'stunning' might not have really done Gwithian justice. It's a Game of Thrones-style cliff overhanging a bahamian-style white sand beach. It is totally breathtaking.
Global Boarders, the surf school that operate from the beach, are friendly, funny and well experienced - which makes all the falling off of the early lessons much more bearable.
Overall, this place gets a 9/10 for beginners, with 1 point being deducted because the cafe stops serving food the minute the 1pm lesson finishes which often feels cruely unfortunate at the time.
Our first Intermediate spot is Perranporth Beach. Busier than Gwithian, which could be intimidating for first timers, Perranporth is charectful, pretty and popular with tourists and locals. The sunsets at perranporth are frequently blood orange masterpieces and The Watering Hole pub, that sits in the middle of the sand, is the only one to do so in the UK.
Frequented by surfers and non-surfers with a well-endorsed 'secret spot' enjoyed by locals off to the side, Perranporth presents a world of oppertunity.
Our second intermediate spot is Polzeath Beach in Padstow. Popular for surfing and pleasant to look at, Polzeath is a fabulous choice for any surfer. Except of course if you fancy yourself against Cornwall's biggest waves. Polzeath is 'sheltered' from bigger winds by more petruding headlands - which makes larger offshore winds and, by proxy, larger waves, hard to come by. It's still a social place to surf though - which is why we think an intermediate would thrive in the conditions.
Fistral Beach in Newquay is THE BEACH. The most famous. The most popular. The most widely and expertly surfed.
Popular among surfers of all levels and multiple surf schools is Fistral Beach but the word busy wouldn't quite do this spot justice in the summer months. Surrounded by surfer-targeted accomodation and eateries - even a surfing festival in the month of August - Fistral is the premiere place to enjoy surf culture in the UK.
This may intimidate during a first ever lesson but it's also true that the quality of the surf coaching is second to none at Firstral. Additionally, lessons are almost always structured by experience, so you can turn up to any of these beaches and surf with surfers of a similar experience level.
And that's our list of The Best Beaches in Cornwall for Surfing in 2023. Let us know of any you think we might have missed via the comments below and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with the best Cornish Holiday Cottages all over the County.
