Why’s everyone heading out to the southwestly peninsula of England? Is it for the Celtic identity? The excellent sea fishing? The pasties? Well that’s certainly part of it. But the main reason is because the surf’s up in Cornwall! In the not-so-distant past of the 1960s, not many people in the UK had heard of surfing. All of that changed when a group of Australian lifeguards turned up in the Cornish town of Newquay one summer and began riding the breakers. This unleashed a tidal wave of popular interest in surfing and established Cornwall as the go-to place for wave riding in the country. It still holds that status, and for good reason. Read on to find out more!

Where are the best surfing beaches in Cornwall?

• Newquay: The original surf capital of the UK, Newquay is a mecca for waveriders from around the world. Beginners can find manageable waves right in the town centre, while more experienced surfers enjoy the legendary Atlantic swells of Fistral Beach. Crantock Beach, Holywell Bay and Watergate Bay, which is on the way to Mawgan Porth, are also popular destinations with plenty of space for catching the breakers. Newquay hosts the annual Boardmasters Festival, a celebration of surf and music that attracts tens of thousands of revellers to the beaches every August.

• Bude: One of the most accessible surfing destinations in Cornwall is Bude. It’s close to the border with neighbouring Devon on the north coast, but it’s not just the location that makes it accessible. Among the myriad of surfing experiences on offer, you can find inclusive surf lessons here that cater to people with Special Educational Needs, including autism, and physical disabilities. In terms of the local surfing hotspots, there’s Summerleaze Beach in the centre of town and Widemouth Bay to the south.

• Camel Estuary: The name of the River Camel comes from the Cornish word for crooked, describing its winding path from Bodmin Moor to the estuary where it meets the Celtic Sea. On either side of the mouth of the estuary, there are quaint villages with good beaches for surfing - Harlyn and Polzeath. The sheltered waters of the estuary host the related sport of wakeboarding, as well as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

• Perranporth: Continuing along the north coast past Newquay, Perranporth stands out for its huge expanses of white sand and the beautiful stretch of St Agnes Heritage Coast beyond. If you’re looking for a surfing experience with a view, this could be the place for you!

• St Ives Bay: The town of St Ives, favourite of artists and writers since the Victorian age, sits at the western end of a wide bay. There are two beaches in the town where you can catch some waves, but better conditions are found at the other end of the bay in Hayle and Gwithian. Gwithian beach enjoys both left and right hand swells, while the lighthouse on a rock makes a terrific backdrop for a day’s surfing.

• Sennen: The southwesternmost tip of England, where the waters of the Atlantic mix with those of the Celtic Sea, is the dramatic peninsula of Land’s End. Within sight of the clifftops is Sennen Cove, one of the most epic surfing destinations in the country. The remote location puts off some of the crowds, but even beginners will find their experience rewarding here with the help of expert local instructors.

• Porthleven: Surfing isn’t confined to the north coast of the county. Praa Sands, near the town of Porthleven, is one of the best Cornish surfing beaches. It’s the longest stretch of white sands on the south coast, with wave conditions varying along its length. Anyone who likes fast, hollow waves will feel at home here.

• Lizard Peninsula: The Lizard juts out into the ocean at the mouth of the English Channel. Poldhu Cove is home to a surf school run by a British surfing champion. He can vouch for the quality of the waves here and help you to ride them yourself.

Options for organising this experience

Most people who come to Cornwall for a spot of surfing will be looking for lessons. And they’re in luck! All of the locations in the preceding list are home to at least one surf school. You can find classes throughout the year, at different times of the day and in different configurations. Private, couples and group lessons, beginners classes, improvers sessions, advanced coaching - whatever you need, you’ll find it. The majority of lessons last between 2 and 3 hours. Equipment, including wetsuits, is included and sometimes you can hang onto the board for the rest of the day and continue practising.

We recommend seeking out package deals or surfing courses. These give you the chance to really take advantage of the expertise of your instructor and make visible progress. Bundles of lessons give you the best value for money, whilst surfing summer schools are a great way for you to go from zero to hero in one season! Some schools can take you to multiple surf locations in Cornwall during a course.

Renting equipment is always an option as well. There are too many places to mention where you can find boards and wetsuits for hire. While some of them pop up for the summer, there are others that stay open year round and include cold-weather wetsuits, boots and gloves in their stock.

Activity age requirements & others

This sport is truly open to everyone. Group lessons at surf schools in Cornwall tend to accommodate children from the age of seven or eight, but you can arrange private classes for children who are even younger. Don’t worry if you’re an adult beginner, you’re spoilt for choice here. Remember, you’re never too old to catch your first wave! Specialised surfing lessons for people with disabilities or special needs are also on offer. Get in touch with your surf school of choice to talk about your situation if you have any doubts, they’ll be happy to help.

Put the Beach Boys on your stereo, it’s time for a surfing safari!