Beaches in Newquay, Cornwall

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The beach guide has 8 beaches listed in and around the town of Newquay. We have arranged these beaches in order of closest to the town first (distance in brackets).

  • Tolcarne Beach (0.4 miles)

    Tolcarne © Derek Harper | BY-SA

    Tolcarne is the largest of four beaches that join up at low tide to create the mile of golden sand that Newquay is famous for. Sandwiched between Great Western and Lusty Glaze, Tolcarne is sheltered on three sides by tall cliffs. 

    At low tide it's possible to walk across from Great Western beach.…

  • Great Western Beach (0.4 miles)

    Great Western © Derek Harper | BY-SA

    A beautiful sheltered sandy beach surrounded by high cliffs. The beach is fully tidal and completely covered at high tide. It is popular with surfers who want to avoid the heavy swells at Fistral beach. It is quieter than the neighbouring Towan beach.

  • Towan Beach (0.5 miles)

    Towan © Inspiredimages

    Towan Beach is the closest beach to Newquay town centre, and gets extremely busy in summer. Adjacent to Newquay harbour, Towan is the westernmost of four beaches in Newquay that combine at low tide to provide a mile of golden sand. 

    A private island on the east side of the beach is connected to the…

  • Lusty Glaze Beach (0.9 miles)

    Lusty Glaze © Tony Atkin | BY-SA

    Lusty Glaze is a privately owned beach and cove with beautiful golden sands sheltered by dramatic 200ft cliffs. It is home to The Adventure Centre where visitors can experience the buzz of adrenaline in this idyllic natural environment or simply sit back.

  • Porth Beach (1.2 miles)

    Porth Beach © Derek Harper | BY-SA

    Porth is a rural north west facing beach, narrow and with a shallow incline. Exposed to Atlantic swells. Easy access makes it popular with families and those with walking difficulties.

  • Fistral Beach (1.2 miles)

    Fistral ©

    Half a mile west of Newquay, Fistral Beach is considered to be the UK's leading surfing beach. Commonly split into two halves, North Fistral and South Fistral, the beach is long, straight and sandy, backed by steep sand dunes and overlooked by the iconic Headland Hotel. 

    The Cribbar, a reef at the northern end,…

  • Crantock Beach (2.1 miles)

    Crantock © Philip Halling | BY-SA

    Crantock beach is part of extensive sands between the headlands of Pentire and West Pentire, near Newquay. A large, sandy beach with dunes, rock pools and caves at the mouth of the River Gannel.

  • Watergate Bay (2.7 miles)

    Watergate Bay © Roy Hughes | BY-SA

    Watergate Bay is a large open sandy beach located about 3 miles from Newquay. This beach absolutely radiates space but it still tends to get reasonably busy around the main car park in front of the Watergate Hotel.

    Being north-westerly facing means Watergate picks up most Atlantic swells going which makes it popular with surfers. It…

Newquay beaches map

Map featuring Newquay beaches. Click on pins to view beach details