Watergate Bay is a west-facing long stretch of beachbreak three miles north of Newquay which takes the pressure off Fistral and the town beaches. It is often crowded during the summer if the waves are good, but not as bad as Newquay.

Watergate Bay works on all tides and is one of the few beaches in the area which is good around high tide (as long as there’s a decent swell running). It can have excellent punchy waves and picks up pretty much all the swell going but doesn’t handle big swells very well. Walk beyond the crowded middle peaks to find better waves and more space.

As well as being a great surfing holiday destination, Watergate Bay is the perfect place for adrenalin junkies with it being the home of the Extreme Academy. here you can try out abseiling, canoeing, kitesurfing, mountain boarding and load more.

There is a surf shop, The Watergate Bay Hotel and Fifteen Cornwall, a restaurant setup by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, are located just above the beach and there are a number of caravan and camping sites within easy reach.

Surf Information

Break type: Sand
Offshore wind direction: South easterly
Swell direction: Westerly
Wave direction: Lefts and rights
Ability: All
Water quality: Good
Lifeguard service: From 19 May to 30 September
National Trust: No

Hazards

Crowds.
Lots of surf schools.
Rips when four feet or over.
Parking costs are high.

Facilities

Surf shop.
Surf schools.
Café.
Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant.
Pub and hotels.
Two car parks.
Toilets.