Top Beaches for Water Sports in Cornwall

Offering both beautiful beaches and ideal surf conditions, Cornwall is considered by many to be a haven for all of the water sports fans out there.

Whether you fancy a spot of surfing, trying out some paddle boarding or even heading out in a kayak there will be somewhere for you, but it can be quite difficult to find the best place.

So we’ve tracked down some of the best spots in Cornwall for the most popular water sports, take a look and see which one you fancy…

Best Beach for Surfing

Fistral Beach: There was only one winner here! Often labelled as the home of British surfing, Fistral is one of the best beaches in all of the UK for surfing, never mind just Cornwall! The westward aspect points the beach out towards the incoming swells from the Atlantic which makes it perfect for those looking to catch some bigger waves. Fistral is also the home of Boardmasters, a combination of surfing, skateboarding and live music that has become one of the UK’s most popular festivals.

Best Beach for Windsurfing

Sunset on Daymer Bay by Ashley Coates – CC 2.0

Daymer Bay: If you fancy a spot of windsurfing then Daymer Bay could be the spot for you. Located about 6 miles from Wadebridge in North Cornwall, Daymer has fostered a reputation of being a great family-friendly beach with its golden sands sheltered by the inland dunes. But it’s out on the waves where the real fun is to be found! Sailable in pretty much all winds and offering good swells but also some speed sailing, it’s great for all levels of sailor, just watch out for the currents from the river’s mouth.

Best Beach for Kitesurfing

Watergate Bay: For kitesurfing, you’ll want to head to Watergate Bay. Again like Fistral for the surfers, Watergate’s westerly aspect opens it up to some of the best wind/wave combinations in the area – perfect for kiting! Conditions are great in anything from a North through to a South, South West wind. If you want a real challenge, you’ll want to set yourself up just in front of the Beach Hut where the wind is at its strongest (be warned this area is normally taken up by surfers and bodyboarders so you might have to head further north up the beach).

Best Beach for Paddle Boarding

Crantock Beach by Robert Pittman – CC BY-ND 2.0

Crantock Beach: If you want to try your hand at Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) you will want to head to Crantock Beach in Newquay. Situated right on the estuary of the River Gannel, Crantock is great for a wide variety of paddle boarding. You can head on up the river for some flatwater paddling and stunning scenery or if you’re after something a bit more likely to get the adrenaline pumping, then you’ll want to keep by the river mouth where you’ll be able to find some of the best SUP waves in Cornwall.

Best Beach for Kayaking

Port Quin Bay by benjgibbs – CC 2.0

Port Quin: Then for all of the canoeist and kayakers out there, there’s Port Quin. A small, sheltered natural harbour on the north Cornish coast between Polzeath and Port Isaac, Port Quin boasts some of the calmest and clearest waters in all of Cornwall. Because of this, it’s perfect for beginner and experienced paddlers alike, and then there’s the scenery! The bay itself is a stunning little spot and it’s capped off by the beautiful Doyden Point, one of the filming locations from the original Poldark series.

Discover the best places to stay in Cornwall, close to these magnificent seaside spots. For more inspiration for your holiday, refer to our Cornwall things to do guide.