Newquay Bay consists of four beaches - Towan, Great Western, Tolcarne and Lusty Glaze which form one single mile long stretch of sand at low tide. All four beaches can offer great waves depending on wind, swell and sandbanks.
>> Towan Beach is situated at the southern end of the Bay Area. This means that it is also most protected from wind. In order to work it needs good swell as it is well sheltered. Lefts break off the Harbour Wall at mid to high tide when it is generally regarded as best time to surf it. Very popular with beginners and bathers in crowded summer months but watch out for surfing restrictions through this period. Quite often it is the only beach in Newquay area that can be surfed and as everybody heads there it gets crowded even in winter months.
>> Great Western Beach is slightly more exposed than Towan and picks up more swell. It A South Westerly wind is offshore which can produce great hollow waves and is rideable on all tide stages. Very popular with beginners. Watch out for big rock which is submerged at high tide.
>> Tolcarne Beach produces both lefts and rights and works on all stages of the tide. More exposed to the wind but picks up more swell.
>> Lusty Glaze Beach is most exposed beach out off all in the Bay Area so it picks up most swell. Breaks both left and right and is rideable at all tide stages with low to high being the best as it gives extra push. Popular with beginners.
All the beaches are situated right below Cliff Road (A392) which runs parallel to all of them. You might find a parking space along the main road or in two car parks situated on either side of the railway station (behind Burger King) from where you can walk down to beach.
For Towan Beach you should drive to Newquay town centre, find Fore Street which has two car parks overlooking the beach. Both car parks are Pay and Display.
High season: Lifeguards are on duty from mid-May to mid-September.
All year: There are number of cafes and toilets present on the beaches and their close vicinity. You will find many surf shops on Cliff Road where you can hire boards and wetsuits.
