There are more good beaches on the north coast of Cornwall for surfing than on the south. The best waves are generally to be found on the northern coastline but can be blown out if the wind is too strong. The waves on the southern coast are more predictable but tend to be much smaller..

The major surfing beaches are given together with a brief description from the north Devon border to Land's End with a few suggestions for the south coast.

Crooklets, Bude
Best surfing beach with very large sands at low tide. Surf Life Saving in Britain began here and there are frequent demonstrations and championships held here.
Parking, cafes, beach shops and toilets plus easy access.

Summerleaze, Bude
Extensive sands at low tide but can be dangerous for bathing as the river runs out across the south of the beach. Two safe sea bathing pools.
Parking, easy access to the town.

Widemouth Bay, Bude
Two miles long, sandy with rocky spurs. Plenty of room for surfers and bathers.
Parking, café, toilets and beach shops.

Polzeath
Large sandy beach, indented cliffs give shelter from winds.
Parking on beach, shops, café and toilets nearby. Easy level access.

Watergate Bay, Newquay
Two miles of sand.
Parking, café and toilets near the Hotel.

Porth Beach, Newquay
Large sandy beach with caves.
Parking on beach, toilets, shops and cafes nearby.

Tolcarne Sands, Newquay
A sheltered beach below Narrowcliff Promenade.
All facilities available.

Fistral Beach, Newquay
Largest Newquay beach facing west. Good Atlantic waves.
All facilities available.

Perranporth
Over two miles of sandy beach. Good for bathing and surfing.
Parking off main shopping street with all facilities. Further access at north end of beach with some facilities.

Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes
Small sandy cove.
Limited parking close to beach, but easy access. Extra parking up valley.

Chapel Porth
Surfing good if swell present. Scenic area.
National Trust Car Park.

Porthtowan
Sandy beach. Surfing can be variable.
Parking and facilities available. Level access.

Portreath
Good surfing when wind in north.
Parking above beach. All facilites available.

Gwithian Towans
North end of Hayle's three mile sandy beach. Surfing usually good particularly towards Godrevy Towans to the north.
All facilities available.

Porthmeor Beach, St Ives
Half mile sandy beach very popular with surfers.
All facilities available. Steps down to the beach.

Whitesand Bay, Sennen
Mile of white sand. Surfing best with westerly winds.
All facilities available. Easy access.

Praa Sands
Mile of sand. Surfing best with southerly or south easterly winds.
All facilities available. Level access.

Kennack Sands, Lizard
Surfing possible at low tide when easterly winds prevail.
All facilities available.

Carlyon Bay
Large sandy beach. Need southerly or south easterly winds for waves.
All facilities available plus entertainment centre.