Beaches

Watergate Bay beach is easy to access and has two car parks which are close to the beach. This rugged part of the north coast has consistently good surfing conditions all year round, with full lifeguard cover from May to September and a watersports school by the beach. Although Fistral is considered the best surfing spot in Newquay, Watergate Bay has similar waves with more space to enjoy them!

With two miles of golden sand to explore, there’s plenty of room for families to enjoy beach games, rockpooling and sandcastle building. It’s a great location for enjoying a beach BBQ or a tasty picnic with spectacular sea views.

Watergate Bay is also well-loved by dog owners, as four-legged friends are welcome on the beach all year round! There’s plenty of space for tail chasing, wave jumping and playing in the sand, plus there’s easy access to the south west coast path for some wonderful coastal walks.

Coastal walks

The north coast of Cornwall has a beautifully rugged coastline which can easily be explored from Watergate Bay. Walk in the direction of Newquay town centre and you will stumble across Porth beach on the way. Walkers can enjoy panoramic views of Watergate Bay and pass Trevelgue Head on the way to Porth. The adventurous can carry on to Newquay town centre, however this is quite a challenging walk. 

In the opposite direction, you can ramble across the coastal path to Mawgan Porth, a gorgeous sandy beach which is also dog-friendly. The walk takes about an hour and a half, with incredible coastal views along the way. Continue for another twenty minutes or so and you’ll reach Bedruthan Steps which is one of the most stunning parts of the coastline. There are impressive rock formations that, legend has it, were the stepping stones of Giant Bedruthan. 

Whichever way you choose to walk, amazing ocean views are guaranteed. You don’t need to be in an elevated position to enjoy stunning scenery, as simply walking along Watergate Bay beach at low tide is lovely, with two miles of sand and rocks and caves to explore.

Watersports

Extreme Academy Surf School is located right by the beach and offers lessons for complete beginners and ready-to-ride coaching sessions. The instructors will help you gain confidence in the water and even if you can’t stand up, you’ll have lots of fun trying! 

You can book a session for a variety of other watersports too, including body boarding, kitesurfing, stand up paddle boarding and wave skiing. If you love being active on holiday, Extreme Academy will provide you with an adrenaline-fueled adventure on the coast. 

Places to eat

Visitors to Watergate Bay can enjoy locally caught seafood and fresh local produce in a variety of beachfront eateries. The Beach Hut is at the edge of the beach, nearly on the sand and is a popular surfer’s hangout serving burgers, steak and seafood.  This is a great sunset watching spot too. 

Alternatively, Wax at Watergate Bay has a great pizza and cocktail menu and further afield there are a selection of pubs and restaurants in Porth, Mawgan Porth and in Newquay town centre and Newquay harbour.