With over 250 miles of coastline and 300 beaches, some of which are host locations of both Boardmasters Festival and the WSL (World Surf League), the hardest part of surfing in Cornwall is which beach to visit! To help you make that decision, here is our top 5 best beaches in Cornwall to catch some colossal waves, including the likes of Newquay, Penzance and Helston.

5 - Porthleven Beach, Helston

First on our list isn’t for the faint hearted (or beginners for that matter). Porthleven Beach in Helston has a strong break, deep channel and provides more than plenty of quality waves to keep the more experienced on their toes! Definitely check this one out.

4 - Sennen Cove Beach, Lands’ End

Less than 2 miles from Lands’ End Sennen Cove beach is able to pick up swells from both Southerly and Northern directions and usually will have a few decent peaks in the centre of the beach. Due to its crescent, Sennen Cove is able to cope with easterly and southerly winds. Couple this with its extremely consistent beach break and you’ve got a perfect beach for beginners and the more advanced alike- making it one of our top picks.

3 - Praa Sands, Penzance

As far as the South Coast of Cornwall goes, Praa Sands in Penzance is a must visit. When there is a south coast swell and a northerly wind, the surf is exceptional, providing big barrelled waves which break close to the coastline. A definite favourite from us if you want to catch some big waves!

2 - Watergate Bay, Newquay

Located on the North Cornwall coastline, Watergate Bay Beach is a 2 mile stretch of golden sand and all year round consistent surf, popular for its natural shelter, great surfing conditions and the breath-taking scenery. Every May Watergate Bay hosts the UK Pro Surf Tour and The English National Surfing Championships, proving to be a favourite with the pros!

1 - Fistral Beach, Newquay

No surprises here! Cornwall’s most illustrious and consistent surf location is not only the home of the popular Boardmasters Festival which holds the WSL (World Surf League) every year, but is also exposed to Atlantic swells which can generate waves as high as 30ft tall. This has earnt Fistral beach the title of Cornwall's premier "big wave" location, providing the ultimate destination for any surfing enthusiast. Perfect for surfers of all abilities.

Not quite making our top 5, the following are definitely worth a feature. These alternative great beaches can be found on the beautiful Cornish coastline.

  • Gwithian Beach, Hayle
  • Constantine Bay, Padstow
  • Porthmeor Beach, St.Ives
  • Polzeath Beach, Polzeath

Of course, to really experience the surfing at these beaches you'll need... Well, a surfboard! Luckily, we have a wide range of beginner surfboards to get you started and out on the waves this year. Don't forget to consider the accessories to make your experience comfortable - we'd recommend investing in a good wetsuit, and for the hardy winter surfers out there, you might also want boots, gloves and a hood to keep you warm on those wintery days.