You don't have to know very much about Cornwall to know that it is famous for its stunning coastline, amazing beaches and world-class surfing.


Why is Cornwall so good for surfing?

Cornwall has two coastlines, the more sheltered coastline of the south is peppered with pretty coves and sleepy creeks but if you head to the north coastline then this is the real surfer's paradise.

The north coast of Cornwall faces straight out into the Atlantic Ocean and it is a total magnet for swell. Add to this the milder climate than other parts of the British Isles and a range of great, wide beaches and bays and you have the perfect recipe for a surfing heaven. Just to confirm this reputation, Cornwall plays host to one of the biggest European competitions called the Fistral Boardmasters, named after the famous Fistral beach at Newquay which is one of Cornwall's hottest and most popular surfing locations.

The best surfing beaches in Cornwall

Here are some of the best beaches, all bar two are on the Atlantic coastline:-

Fistral Beach, Newquay – the place to go to see the pros at work so expect Fistral to be crowded in the summer months. The surfing is first class with swells of up to 8 feet. There is also the famous or infamous, Cribbar, also known as the Widow Maker which is a reef off the Towan Headland in Newquay. Cribbar is a mecca for wave seekers from across the world and can feature waves in excess of 30 feet.

Gwithian Beach, Hayle – Gwithian is a popular surfing beach but probably less crowded than Fistral. It is a pretty long beach so there seems to be plenty of room, the swell is fairly consistent and there are waves of varying sizes along the beach so it accommodates a range of surfers. It is, however, a windy beach and is quite exposed.

Perranporth Beach – Perranporth is enormous but if you want the best waves, then head for the Penhale end.

Polzeath Beach – Polzeath shelves quite gradually and so the waves are less powerful than at Fistral and some of the other top surfing beaches so Polzeath is a good beach for beginners and the less experienced.

Porthmeor Beach, St. Ives – also called, 'The Meor', not a regular surfing haunt as St. Ives generally doesn't pick up the north coast swell compared to other beaches on the Atlantic coastline. But with the wind in the right direction, you can surf at The Meor

Porthtowan - Porthtowan picks up more swell than Gwithian and is described as having fast and hollow waves which is what surfers are always chasing

Praa Sands, Helston – this location is on Cornwall's southerly coastline and a good surfing choice when the wind is coming from the north so expect to see lots of other surfers in these conditions. However, Praa is a big beach with room for all

Sennen Beach – Sennen is near Land's End and is the most westerly beach in Cornwall and consequently, one of the most exposed. There is a variety of wave heights and so Sennen is popular with different types of surfer

For beginners

Many people claim that the Cornish experience is not complete unless you have ridden the waves of the Atlantic. If you have never surfed before or are a surfing novice then there are loads of surf schools to choose from which welcome surfers of all ages and abilities including family groups. Learn some basic skills or hone those techniques which have lain unused since last summer. Surf schools teach you how to be safe so it is also worth a refresher if you haven't surfed for a while.

What type of wetsuit do you need?

If you are a keen surfer and want to surf in all weathers then most people opt for the full wetsuit. Beginners are often surprised that even in the summer you should wear a wetsuit but despite the temperatures out of the water, the sea will still be cold. So most UK surfers choose what is called a 3/2 for summertime surfing, this will be a full wetsuit. Shortie suits are great for kids who are splashing around in the shallows but for adults surfing in Cornwall, you will definitely want a full suit.

A 3/2 wetsuit means a suit where the thickness is 3mm on the core body area – back, stomach, chest and kidneys to keep the wearer warm - and 2mm on the arms and legs which makes it more flexible for paddling and swimming. Pick a suit with glued and blind-stitched seams for a totally watertight seal and one with a back zip which is the easiest to take on and off.

A 4/3 wetsuit follows the same principle – the body is 4mm and the limbs are 3mm and these are the suits you would choose for surfing in the autumn and winter months in Cornwall. If you surf in other parts of the UK which do not enjoy Cornwall's mild winters, most surfers would require a 5/4/3 with built-in hood, to accommodate the colder water temperatures.

Some surfing safety tips

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Whatever standard of surfer you are, Cornwall can accommodate your surfing holiday dreams. Enjoy surf school tuition or perhaps surfing is just part of your family time on the beach alongside swimming and beach games. There are lots of beautiful Cornish cottages available to hire all along the Atlantic coastline, many with tremendous coastal views and the perfect compliment to long days spent on a sunny Cornish beach.


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