The full guide
Read straight through, or use the planning notes above to shape an easier coastal day.
Newquay Harbour
Newquay Harbour is a working fishing harbour protected by two walls. Towan beach is situated on the east of the harbour. The harbour dries out at low tide.
The working fishing boats mainly catch lobster and crab although up until the late 19th Century Newquay was known for its pilchard fishing.
Porth
Porth beach faces northwest and is an easily accessible family beach.
Tolcarne
Tolcarne is a large sandy beach which is surrounded by high cliffs. Tolcarne is a popular family beach.
Fistral Beach
Fistral Beach is best known as a surfing beach. Many surfing championships are held at Fistral Beach.
When there is a lot of swell, the waves break on a reef at the north end of the beach causing 'big waves' ideal for surfing.
Towan
Towan beach is a large sandy beach backed by a sea wall.
Towan Island is situated at the east end of the beach and is joined to the mainland by a small suspension bridge.
Newquay Sealife Centre is located to the rear of Towan beach.
Sea Fishing in Newquay area
The beaches at Newquay are good for bass fishing. You can also catch some decent sized turbot and plaice. We recommend fishing on the incoming tide as you are more likely to catch.
Newquay RNLI
The Lifeboats
The Gladys Mildred – B Class Lifeboat
Valerie Wilson - D Class Lifeboat
En Id Mary - D Class Lifeboat
The Lifeboat Station
Newquay Lifeboat Station operated an all-weather lifeboat for nearly 80 years until it closed in 1945. The station re-opened again in 1965. The crews have received several awards for gallantry and now operate two inshore lifeboats.
Support Newquay Lifeboat...
With thanks to the RNLI for allowing us to use their images and information
Newquay RNLI
The Lifeboats
The Gladys Mildred – B Class Lifeboat
Valerie Wilson - D Class Lifeboat
En Id Mary - D Class Lifeboat
The Lifeboat Station
Newquay Lifeboat Station operated an all-weather lifeboat for nearly 80 years until it closed in 1945. The station re-opened again in 1965. The crews have received several awards for gallantry and now operate two inshore lifeboats.
Support Newquay Lifeboat...
With thanks to the RNLI for allowing us to use their images and information
Useful for your next visit
A few useful Down The Cove picks connected to this read.
Common questions
- Where is Newquay?
- Newquay sits on the north coast of Cornwall, facing the Atlantic. It's one of the more accessible Cornish resorts, with its own airport just outside town and rail and coach connections to the rest of the county.
- What is Newquay known for?
- Newquay is best known as the surfing capital of the UK, thanks above all to Fistral Beach and its powerful, consistent waves. It's also a busy seaside resort with a working harbour, a sweep of sandy beaches and a lively visitor scene.
- What are the best beaches in Newquay?
- Fistral is the famous surfing beach, while the town beaches, including Towan, Great Western and Tolcarne, sit close to the harbour. Lusty Glaze and Porth lie to the east, with Watergate Bay and Crantock a short distance along the coast.
- What is there to do in Newquay besides surfing?
- Beyond the waves you can walk the coast path around Towan Head, visit the zoo and Trenance Gardens, try paddleboarding on the Gannel estuary, and explore the harbour. Towan beach has its island house linked by a small suspension bridge.
- Is Newquay worth visiting?
- Yes. Whether you're learning to surf, chasing bigger waves or simply after a sandy family beach and a lively resort, Newquay offers more variety than almost anywhere else on the Cornish coast.