Summary
The region of Cornwall in England is the country’s surfing center. Not only are waves decent here but this part of the country is blessed with beautiful beaches and friendly towns. Cornwall also became a popular holiday destination for Brits for its stunning landscapes and milder weather compared to the rest of England.
To find the best surfing destination for you, try our WaveFinder search engine!
The best breaks are located on the northern coast near Newquay and offer decent conditions from October to March. However, it really is during the summer months that this town comes to life and the small summer waves are very popular for long boarders or beginners.
Cornwall is a peninsula which gives surfers many options on any given day depending on the swell or wind direction. If the conditions are “onshore” in Newquay, they will certainly be cleaner at Falmouth or Porthleven.
Newquay itself could be a good base camp for your surf trip with a lot of places to stay and eat as well as having a good social life especially in summer.
When to go
The best time to surf Cornwall, England depends on what kind of conditions you are looking for. Fall and winter (October to April) will offer more consistent and bigger waves suitable for experienced surfers.
However, the summer months (May to September) will offer smoother waves, perfect for beginners. This is also when town comes to life with a solid crowd of party people and holidayers.
January-February March-April May-June July-August September-October November-December
Suitable for: Intermediate
AdvancedIntermediate
AdvancedAll surfers All surfers Intermediate
AdvancedIntermediate
Advanced
Air temperature 6°C
43°F7°C
45°F12°C
54°F16°C
61°F13°C
55°F8°C
46°F
Water temperature 10°C
50°F10°C
50°F13°C
55°F16°C
61°F16°C
61°F12°C
54°F
Crowd Empty Empty Few people Fairly crowded Few people Empty
Swell consistency 80% 70% 55% 45% 65% 75%
Swell height 10ft 8ft 5ft 4ft 7ft 9ft
Surf Camps in Cornwall
Find a surf camp in Cornwall, starting at US$281
6-day Ocean Adventurer Surf Escape in Newquay for US$422
- 5 group surf lessons
- Learn to surf on Fistral Beach
- The best local surf instructors
- The best location in Newquay
- Surfboards and wetsuits hire included
- Daily breakfast of champions
- Sunset garden barbecue
- 5 nights accommodation
8-day Surf Camp in Newquay, Cornwall for US$914
- 5-day surf course
- 2-hours of surf lessons per day
- Small groups and expert instructors
- Learn to surf in Watergate Bay
- 7 nights accommodation
Where to stay in Cornwall
The best place to base yourself for a surf trip to Cornwall is in the town of Newquay. It is a really nice surf town being close to many surf spots and in summer, you will get a buzzing social life given the bars and restaurants that are present here.
Browse our interactive map to find the best accommodation deals in Newquay!
Getting there
There are many options to get to Newquay whether it is by train, bus, car or plane. If you want to explore around Cornwall, you will need a car.
Safety/things to know
-Tides are dramatic (more than 20 feet)
-Cold water, even in summer
Surf spots in Cornwall
Fistral Beach
Porthleven
Polzeath
Crantock