Newquay: Beaches, Surfing & Things to Do
Cornwall's surf capital has more beaches than most towns have streets. Newquay is lively, family-friendly by day and busy by night, with the zoo, an aquarium and some of the best surf in Britain.
Newquay's beaches
- Fistral is the famous surf beach, with surf schools, hire shops and competitions.
- Towan is the town beach by the harbour, sheltered and handy for families. Blue Reef Aquarium is right on it.
- Great Western and Tolcarne are reached by steps from town, with lots of sand at low tide.
- Lusty Glaze is a cliff-backed cove reached by steps, with its own café and activities.
- Porth and Watergate Bay are just up the coast, while Crantock and Holywell are just south.
Top things to do in Newquay
- Take a surf lesson. It's the classic Newquay experience. Book with a qualified school and they'll pick the right beach for the conditions.
- Newquay Zoo and Blue Reef Aquarium make easy family days, and Blue Reef is good when it rains.
- The Huer's Hut is a whitewashed lookout on the headland, where a "huer" once watched for shoals of pilchards and raised the alarm.
- Lappa Valley, with its steam railways, is a short drive away.
Getting there
Trains run on the branch line from Par, and Cornwall Airport Newquay is just outside town. In August, the Boardmasters festival fills the town, so book well ahead if your dates overlap.
Where to eat and drink nearby
- Healeys Cyder Farm, Penhallow, near Newquay
- Stein's Fish & Chips, South Quay, Padstow
Plan your trip
Save places from this guide into our free trip planner. It sorts them into days, tracks your budget and works on your phone, even offline.
Open the trip planner More Cornwall towns