The best surfing spots in Newquay
Luke Hart takes you through his favourite local surf spots with handy tips on tides, winds and the best surf cams to check! Luke also covers which surfboards he recommends for each spot. Newquay is a great place to surf especially if you know where to look!
5) Fistral Beach – North peak.
The ultimate beach break. Rights at hotel peak will keep you coming back for more. Just watch out for those crowds!
-Best tide :
Low tide. Although Fistral tends to work all through the tides low is usually the best chance of some nice walls and possible barrels.
-Best wind :
]South Easterlies. Fistral doesn’t mind an easterly either or as long as its not to strong a southerly. winds to steer clear of are westerlies and the dreaded northerlies.
-Best swell conditions :
Fistral is a swell magnet so will tend to always have fun waves providing the wind is playing ball. Fistral really comes into its own on the bigger days where other beach breaks tend to max out.
– Web Cam check :
Fistral is well covered. click here to check the surfline cams if you have a pro subscription or for a free check you can try the anns cottage cam here.
– Locals Tips :
The rights tend to be the best at Fistral although you can also get really good left handers especially towards the middle of the beach and when the tide pushes. the main peak is in front of the infamous Headland Hotel. This peak is the right that Fistral is most known for.
– Best Surfboard to use:
When Fistral is pumping then you go to all rounder will cover most sizes. The Doofer and the Shank are popular boards or for the bigger days it has to be step up surfboard time and our favourite to wax up – The Charge.
4) Watergate bay corner– North end.
A sneaky good right hander that is always worth the trek up the beach.
-Best tide :
Mid to high tide. Walking to the north end of watergate for the high tide is always worth the trek. tide ranges vary but you are always greeted with fun walled up right hand wedges. Be careful you time you walk though other wise you will be paddling back to the carpark!
-Best wind :
South Easterlies. Watergate doesn’t mind an easterly either and the cliffs can add protection from strong winds which is great when its howling offshore. Winds to steer clear of are westerlies and the dreaded northerlies.
-Best swell conditions :
The best size for this waves is around waist to just over head high. anything bigger and unless the bank is amazing it will tend to close out. swell ranges in the 2-6 feet range with 10-12 second wave period are the best.
– Web Cam check :
Check the Surfline cam for best option. If you don’t have a pro subscription or for a free check you can try the anns cottage cam here. at Fistral and gauge the size from there as Watergate and Fistral pick up similar amounts of swell.
– Locals Tips :
The walk is always worth it! this is a very fun wave on its day. right hand wedges with multiple peaks to chose from. Make sure you time your walk well as it can be a long paddle back if you get it wrong! Park at the carpark n the field at the back of the beach, it is free or cheap comparatively to the other parking options.
– Best Surfboard to use:
When Watergate corner is pumping you ideally want your shortboard the Shank or The Rockstar are popular boards or for the head high days or if its a bit smaller then a mid length like The Timepiece is a great option.
3) Tolcarne – The Wedge.
A left hander that isn’t for the faint hearted. Time to go fast and get sandy at the wedge!
-Best tide :
High tide. the tide range has to be between 5.9m and 6.8m. otherwise the wedge wont be at its best. It needs to be high enough for the wedge to meet the oncoming sets and low enough that the wedge doesn’t miss the sets!
-Best wind :
South Westerlies. Tolcarne doesn’t mind a southerly or a westerly either as long as its not too strong.
-Best swell conditions :
The best size for this waves is just over head high. anything bigger and unless the bank is amazing it will tend to close out. but its a crazy wave and sometimes a bigger swell can be great fun.
– Web Cam check :
Check the Surfline cam for best option. If you don’t have a pro subscription or for a free check you can try the anns cottage cam here. at Fistral and gauge the size from there. If Fistral is over head then Tolcarne is worth a check for sure!
– Locals Tips :
This spot is localised and can get mobbed by bodyboarders looking to boost, its a fast quick wave but brilliant for trying airs, or big hacks and you can on the right day, get great barrels if the stars are aligned.
– Best Surfboard to use:
If you don’t want to go flying on a body board then a fish like The Weekend Rockstar is great fun at the wedge.
2) Crantock – Bowgie Corner.
My favourite winter Left hander. Big barrels and lovely walls are there for the taking if you can handle the constant paddling against the rip!
-Best tide :
Low tide. On smaller neap tides it can be a little fatter in shape. but usually as long as its low tide there is a decent wave to surf at Bowgie!
-Best wind :
South Westerlies even when its strong its still really good. Bowgie doesn’t mind a southerly either . Or a westerly as long as its not too strong.
-Best swell conditions :
This wave can handle a lot of swell. it tends to be my go to spot when everywhere else is maxed out. Fistral needs to be at least 4 feet for there to be a decent wave and the more swell there is the thicker and angrier Bowgie peak gets!
– Web Cam check :
The cam at the Bowgie Inn is the best one to check. you can see the wave clearly from this cams angle.
– Locals Tips :
This spot is quite localised and can get crowded quickly with good surfers. This place is for experienced surfers only. Make sure you paddle out by hugging the rocks to the left of the peak which is tucked right in the corner of the beach. Watch out for the over priced carpark at the Bowgie Inn, there are other nearby options if you know where to look.
– Best Surfboard to use:
Has to be The Doofer. A great paddler that can handle the hollow ones and still be great on rail for the walls you get at Bowgie left!
2) My Local! – Whipsy.
A super fun Left hander. a wedge that can be great fun when really small and offer the odd cheeky cover up when its pumping!!
-Best tide :
Low tide. On smaller neap tides it can be a little fatter in shape. but usually as long as its low tide there is a decent wave to surf.
-Best wind :
Southerlies. Whipsy doesn’t mind a south easterly either. Or even a light south westerly as long as its not too strong.
-Best swell conditions :
This wave can work at ankle high to about head high before other spots would be worth a look instead. you would tend to look at swells where Fistral is about head high for the optimal days at Whipsy.
– Locals Tips :
This spot is my local spot. I wont say exactly where it is but i will see i usually paddle under a bridge to get to it!! it’s a super fun left hander that is as beautiful a scene as it is a functional wave. Hopefully I see you out there soon!!
– Best Surfboard to use:
I love taking my Midlengths out here. The Bp Mini or The Bp pro for the bigger days offer a great balance between performance and high wave count to make the most of all the inside runners you can get at this spot!
