There are obviously a lot of beaches in Cornwall so here we have categorised the best for surfing Cornwall. We have given a brief overview of each Beach in Cornwall, and give a bit of useful information about the beach i.e. where is the best parking? Which sections of the beach are best? What is the quality of the surf like and which conditions it works best on. Also included are beaches in Cornwall are the most suitable for beginners and which spots are the most dangerous. Unfortunately no pictures of the best surfing beaches in Cornwall yet.
Perranporth
Perranporth Beach has something to offer all surfers. Perranporth hosts some of the longest peeling waves in Cornwall, definitely a place to hit for some nice long-boarding. At low tide (rising) Perranporth beach has some very nice left handers behind Chapel Rock. Be careful though as there can be some very dangerous rips around here. For beginners though Perranporth has some nice waves in the middle of the beach with the bonus of Lifeguard cover.
St Agnes
St Agnes works best at mid tide when the swell is fairly large. Often a good choice if other breaks are maxed out. St Agnes beach can suffer over crowd as it is a fairly small beach and is one of the only beaches in Cornwall to get waves in a prevailing SW wind.
Gwenver
Gwenvor beach is a consistent break which works well on all swells. Gwenvor hosts some very strong rip currents so be careful here. Gwenvor beach works at it's best at a tide of 1/2m.
Sennen
Sennen beach is a absolutely beautiful beach with very white sand. It also happens to be Britain's most Westerly beach and can get fairly crowded in summer. Parking is ok, but expect a fairly short walk down the dunes!
Gwithian/Godrevy
Gwithian/Godrevy pick up a good amount of swell and are therefore fairly consistent breaks. The beach section below the Gwithian car park is particularly suitable for beginners and has a lifeguard service. At high tide rocks cut off the area.
Portreath
Portreath is an infamous break well know for its powerful right hander off the Harbour wall. Due to it's particularly sucky wave off the harbour wall is loved by bodyboarders. Definitely not one for beginners (unless you like being dragged under water over sharp rocks)...However in the middle of the beach there are waves much more accessible waves for the less hardy. At high tide this beach becomes almost unworkable but again the body boarders enjoy some cheeky pits (usually ending up with a mouth full of sand). Watch out for the harbour at low tide - it smells funny. Also has an amusement arcade, ideal for wasting money in.
Porthmeor
Porthmeor works best on a South-South West wind but is generally a fairly consistent break
Porthtowan
Porthtowan produces an excellent wave. Porthtowan can produce some very clean powerful waves and is well loved by locals. It's only drawback is that in the summer it can get very busy. At high tide the wave gets very sucky and sandy. It is also protected from South West winds by the cliffs at high tide.
Perranuthnoe
This Cornish beach occasionally holds up some very nice right-handers, breaking near the rocks at the North West end of the beach. Perranuthnoe is a good bet if Praa Sands beach is maxed out. It is a good spot for beginners with the added bonus that it doesn't get to busy.
Porthleven
Porthleven beach is lengendary! It's the finest UK reef and you will have seen photos of it in many UK surf mags. It is a hollow wave and can hold large waves. It is located on the west-side of the harbour channel. It works on a big S swell to get it working, but when it does it is amazing. Porthleven is not a wave for beginners - at low tide it can be thick and dangerous, at high tide the wave can be adversely affected by back watch. Be wary of strong rips when the swell is large. The parking is not great - but hey the wave is #1!
Praa Sands
Praa sands beach is a very nice beach for surfing and is possibly the most popular beach in the area. Can hold fairly large swell without maxing out and picks up more swell than Perranuthanoe (if it does max out head to Perranuthanoe!). At the northern end of the beach a fast right hander occasionally pops up. This northern end does receive some protection from West winds by the point. Be careful at the other end because it can have some seriously strong rip currents in bug swells. Good parking by the beach.
Falmouth Bay
A number of waves working best on storm or SW swell. Maenporth, Swanpool and Gyllyngvase beaches all have waves on their day but word gets out quickly. Gyllyngvase reef lies between Swanpool and Gyllyngvase beaches and about twice a year offers a good left with fast take-off and short walling sections as the tide covers the reef. Park by beach.
Key Description
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Food Nearby |
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Parking Nearby |
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Suitable for beginners |
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Chavs Nearby |
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Crowds Nearby |
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No Parking Nearby |
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