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Summer is around the corner, or maybe not, as it’s England. Anyways, with sunshine or showers, the beaches in Newquay are beautiful and I can guarantee you will love to visit them.
If you have never heard of it, Newquay, in Cornwall County, is a gorgeous beach town in the southwest of England. For those who have already visited, I’m sure my travel tips will take you to different and unique places.
So let’s talk about the best beaches in Newquay, why you should visit them, how to get here, and where to stay.
Newquay used to be more resort-orientated, like Blackpool, so there are still areas that are a bit tatty around the edges, but many of Newquay’s neighborhoods have been reinvented, and the natural landscape is some of the prettiest in the UK.
I can tell you Newquay has some of the most beautiful beaches on Cornwall’s north coast with lots of great food spots and sandy beaches that attract solo travelers and families looking for a chill holiday destination.
You might have heard that Newquay is Cornwall’s surfing capital, that is thanks to the town’s exposure to the West Atlantic swells.
Whether it’s your first time catching waves or you’re a pro, you’ll find beaches in Newquay with breaks to your taste – surfing in Newquay never disappoints, trust me.
Let’s get down to business, here are the best Newquay beaches to add to your itinerary.
The Best Beaches in Newquay, Cornwall
Overall, there are 15 main beaches in and around Newquay. None are more than a few miles outside the town so they’re easily accessible by car or even on foot if you feel like taking a stroll.
As expected the beaches near Newquay are busier, but with no hassle, you can easily find a stretch of sand on a stunning beach to relax and disconnect.
I listed below the 15 best beaches in Newquay with a detailed guide about each of them, so you know how to get there, what to do, where to stay and more.
1 – Towan Beach
Towan Beach is right by Newquay’s town center, earning it the nickname “town beach”. The beach at the bottom of Beach Road nestled against the town’s harbour, easy to spot.
Cornwall can get pretty windy, so this sheltered golden sand beach is a real treat if you want to laze around. It’s one of the popular beaches among families as it’s just a stone throw away from town! The waves here aren’t fit for surfing though.
There is a tall stack of rocks at the eastern end of the beach known as “Jago’s Island” that has a house built right on the top. Dating back to 1901, the house has been lived in by many prominent names, like Alexander Lodge who invented the spark plug, and visitors like Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote Sherlock Holmes!
Let me tell you a little secret, if you’re looking for a luxury experience, you can rent the house for the summer months.
Another top attraction is the Blue Reef Aquarium, located right on the beachfront.
2 – Great Western Beach
Found below the cliffs where Newquay was built, this vast beach is great for beginner surfers and sunset strolls. The beach is sandy and pet-friendly too – the perfect place to build sandcastles.
Curiously, this Newquay beach was named after the Great Western Railway that ran a train service to the town between 1876 and 1960. Continuing this theme, the Great Western Hotel was built on the steep cliffs that rise over Great Western Beach.
Pretty much everything you need is on the beach, like toilets, a few cafes, deck chair and surfboard hire, and lifeguards (but they’re only around in peak season!).
Another handy thing about this beach are the two car parks on either side of the nearby railway station, so you won’t have to walk far to get there.
3 – Tolcarne Beach
It takes two hundred steps to reach the golden sand of Tolcarne Beach, but it’s worth it! The beach is a little further round the rugged cliffs from the Great Western Beach, but still within the borders of Newquay.
The views of the harbor from Tolcarne are gorgeous, and the easy-going gentle waves make this one of the best beaches in Newquay for surf lessons.
The beach also has a crazy golf court you can go and try out if you get tired of lazing under the sun, and there’s a cafe, toilets, and shop nearby too – what more could you ask for?
If you’re traveling with your furry friend bear in mind they won’t be allowed on the beach over the summer.
4 – Fistral Beach
Fistral is one of the most famous places to visit in Newquay and the whole Cornwall region. And do you know what it is famous for? The answer is simple: epic waves!
If you’ve been wondering which is the best surfing beach in Newquay, you’ve found it.
The waves are pretty huge here so it’s often divided into three areas: South Fistral, the main beach area, and Little Fistral (the most northern tip of the beach, which disappears for the most part when the tide is high).
Many surfing competitions happen here which makes it one of the most famous beaches in town and the UK.
If you want to stay at one of the most luxurious beach hotels in Newquay, then check into a room at The Headland Hotel & Spa. This gorgeous Victorian hotel overlooks Fistral Beach and will give you the best views of any crazy surfers.
There’s a car park, toilets, cafes, wetsuit, surf hire options, and seasonal lifeguards. Pets are allowed year-round too. It’s a little far out of town so I’d recommend driving here.
5 – Lusty Glaze Beach
This little beach is tucked away between an amphitheater of cliffs, which makes it a more protected and secluded beach. Although, it’s still a popular spot and here there’s an adventure center that offers everything from climbing to surfing so it gets busy.
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush or you’ve been looking for a great family beach, you’ve found your spot.
You can actually walk between Tolcarne Beach and Lusty Glaze Beach at low tide, but if you’re visiting at high tide, you’ll have to tackle the 368 steps down to the beach from the clifftop.
You can park your car at the top of the cliffs, but if you’re visiting in summer, it’s worth walking here from town as it gets busy. There’s a great restaurant on the beach, toilets, showers, and a little beach shop.
6 – Porth Beach
This narrow and long beach is great for families. There’s plenty of space for the kids to get out and run around without getting in anyone’s way.
It’s ideal for walks too, specially at low tide when rock pools full of life are left behind by the receding sea.
The coolest thing about Porth Beach is the bridge that connects it to Porth Island, aka Trevelgue Head, where there are an ancient fort and ruins of the old settlement.
There aren’t many facilities on the beach, but there are a few cafes across the road. Bear in mind you can’t surf here in the summer season.
Porth Beach is just 5 minutes drive from Newquay or a half-hour walk.
7 – Whipsiderry Beach
One of the quieter beaches in Newquay, Whipsiderry has a rising rockface in the center which is incredibly steep on one side but has loads of rock pools and little caves on the other.
There’s not much beach to speak of at high tide, but once the tide goes out caves, like Cathedral Cavern, are uncovered along the vast stretch of sand. Stunning!
One drawback is there aren’t any facilities near the beach but that’s probably why the beach is so quiet.
8 – Crantock Beach
Just 15 15-minute driving from town and bordered by sand dunes that form the Rushy Green area, Crantock is one of the largest beaches in Newquay with soft sand – ideal for an afternoon walk with the dogs, this beach is one for those seeking solitude!
Apart from the gorgeous beach itself, there’s also a cave known as Piper’s Hole on the western end of the beach. It has carvings that are over 100 years old.
Wildlife enthusiasts will love this spot as the cliffs rising above the beach are a haven for seabirds.
There’s parking and a small beach kiosk, but not much else.
9 – Porth Joke Beach
Porth Joke is just a little further north than Crantock Beach, tucked away in a cove between rolling headlands. Locals call it Polly Joke, and it’s just under 20-minute drive from town.
When the town beaches get too cramped to be enjoyable I suggest you head over to Polly Joke for some tranquility.
There is a car park at West Pentire, but it’s still a little way from the beach, so it’s not an ideal spot if you need to park right by the beach. There’s nothing in the way of facilities either, but it’s a dog-friendly beach in Newquay!
10 – Watergate Bay Beach
Watergate Bay is popular with surf schools that bring vans full of novice surfers to tackle the waves for the first time. You can also go kite buggying and kite surfing here.
It’s just 10 10-minute drive from town, near Porth Joke Beach. There are loads of dining options, plenty of paid parking, toilets, and a shop. It’s wheelchair-accessible and dog friendly too.
11 – Holywell Bay Beach
Hidden behind tall dunes, Holywell Bay is surrounded by rolling hills that drop onto the coastline and boast a mile-long stretch of golden sand. Beautiful!
The beach got its name thanks to the cave at the northern end that has unusual rock formations that fill up like miniature wells at low tide.
It’s a little out of town (about fifteen minutes drive), but that’s part of its charm. This popular family beach is the perfect setting for fun and relaxation. Bear in mind it can get busy with summer crowds!
You can park in the little town by the beach, also called Holywell, and as it’s right by the beach you can head into town if you need anything while you are here.
12 – Mawgan Porth Beach
Easy-going and cute, Mawgan Porth is ideal for a chill beach day in Newquay. There are some short walking routes along the cliffs that rise above the beach.
It has everything you need in terms of facilities, and there are lots of rental cottages around the edge of the beach – in case you want to stay just meters away from the sea!
Mawgan Porth is a little town outside of Newquay, it’s a more secluded and tranquil spot with a beach that offers great surf and consistent waves, it’s a great seaside town. Plus, it’s just a 15-minute drive away from Newquay!
13 – Perranporth Beach
At low tide, Perranporth and Penhale Sands join together and create a three miles of glistening sand exposed.
There are some pretty epic swells, so if you’re in Cornwall to surf keep an eye on the conditions and surf reports at Perranporth.
You will see many cliff formations with caves beside the golden sand, be brave and explore them. And make sure to check out the natural saltwater pool and sweeping views on top of Chapel Rock before you go.
Situated on the edge of the quaint seaside town of the same name, Perranporth Beach is located a 20-minute drive away from Newquay.
14 – Newquay Harbour Beach
Newquay Harbour Beach gave the town, once known as Towan Blystra, its new name! Even if you decide not to jump into the sea, it’s worth taking a stroll and snapping pictures of this cute and quaint spot.
Watching the little fishing boats bob up and down to a backdrop of orange and pink hues at sunset is one of the most relaxing things to do in Newquay Bay.
There’s a small patch of sand at the edge of the harbor, and the gentle waves make it a perfect spot for toddlers to splash around in, or for paddle boarding.
Oh, and it’s important to say that some of the nicest restaurants in Newquay line at the harbor, so come and enjoy evening drinks with the best town views.
15 – Gannel Estuary Beach
Our 15th beach in Newquay is a great place to go kayaking or canoeing, and it’s good to say that this beach is also accessible by horse, bike, and foot.
Be careful about swimming though, as the estuary has strong currents that can be unpredictable.
It used to be an important port with a boatyard and moorings where ships brought in coal and timber once they arrived. This gives the beach a nostalgic feeling.
Where to stay in Newquay Beaches
Here’s a reliable list of hotels in Newquay for every budget! Choose the one that suits your budget and style, and from your accommodation, you will be able to visit all the beaches in Newquay we mentioned above.
Luxury Hotels in Newquay
The Headland Hotel and Spa sits on the cliffside above the iconic Fistral Beach and has gorgeous outdoor swimming pools, a spa to relax in, rooms with sea views, a surf school, and a golf course.
Another great option is the Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa which also overlooks Fistral Beach. It’s the only adults-only hotel in the area so it promises relaxation and intimacy. Plus, the town center of Newquay is just a mile away.
Mid-range Hotels in Newquay
The White House Hotel has quirky and unique rooms with sea views. It’s situated right in the heart of Newquay, just a five-minute walk from Towan Beach and on the doorstep to some of the best restaurants and bars.
On the other hand, there’s the grand but rather affordable Legacy Hotel Victoria, which has an indoor pool with sea views, old-fashioned rooms, and outdoor areas. It’s right by the Railway Station and shops and breakfast is included.
Budget Hotels in Newquay
Just minutes walk away from the old Great Western Railway Station, the Great Western Hotel rises above the beach of the same name. It boasts a cliff-top terrace and a perfect location.
Are you Looking for something more central? Then the Tregella Guest House will be right down your alley. Simple and sweet, this Edwardian house is minutes away from the town center but still has cozy rooms with sea views. Another plus? Breakfast is included.
How to get to Newquay beaches and around
Newquay Airport is a little far out of town, and from there you’d need to rent a car to get to town anyway so unless you’re coming to Newquay from abroad, I’d recommend getting a bus or train there or driving if that’s an option.
You can arrive via train to the Newquay Train Station, or take a National Express coach to Newquay’s Bus Station.
If you want to stay in the town and visit only the nearest beaches, you can explore Newquay on foot. Some of the beaches further afield like Perranporth and Mawgan Porth require a car, especially if you’re carrying a surfboard.
Public transport is limited in rural areas, so if you don’t want to waste your valuable beach time, it’s best to rent a car.
Travel Tip: I suggest you quote your car rental on Rental Cars, on the website you can compare prices between companies and book a car of your choice and budget. They offer 24/7 support before, during and after the trip.
Travel Advice:
Don’t forget your Travel Insurance! You don’t want anything to ruin your trip, right? So don’t take the risk! Reliable travel insurance can help you in case of travel issues, from accidents to health problems, travel delays, and lost luggage.
There are many insurances in the market, our picks are HeyMondo and SafetyWing. We used both and always had a good experience. Click on the insurance names to get a quote.
Newquay Beaches Last Tips
All in all, Newquay is a beachside destination that offers sunny summer weather, golden sand beaches, impressive waves, and a quaint seaside feel to it.
Here you have opportunities to do everything from sunbathing to surfing and snorkeling. Some beaches in Newquay are family-friendly and others are a paradise for experienced surfers. There is always something for everyone and endless stunning sea views.
Just keep in mind that when visiting any of the beaches have a look around or ask if it’s a lifeguarded beach, and follow the the beach safety flags.
Check out the swell and wind forecast if you’re going to popular surfing beaches. And if you have never surfed in Cornwall, then when arriving at one of the iconic surfing beaches in Newquay have a chat with a seasoned surfer to get to know better the spot
For the completely newbies that have never surfed before, get some surf class before playing around by yourself. A safe surf should be your primary goal.
Last, but not least, follow our guide to Newquay Beaches and I’m sure you will find the perfect spot for your trip.
Set a date, pack your swimwear, and enjoy a perfect beach holiday in Newquay.
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