With miles of sandy beaches and dramatic coastline, Guernsey and Cornwall offer visitors breathtaking sea views, golden sandy beaches and turquoise seas. An Ideal destination for surfers, with an array of waves on offer. Something for surfers of all ages, backgrounds and ability levels. New direct flights from Newquay airport to Guernsey airport, can easily take surfers and ocean adventurers on a cool summer surf trip this year.
And surfers don’t have to travel too far from the airport to find great waves. Here’s a few of our favourite surf spots to for surfers to seek out the ultimate ride in Guernsey or Cornwall this summer:
Newquay
Fistral Beach
Fistral stands as the ultimate surfing beach haven in the UK, catering to surfers of all levels. At the north peak, experienced surfers enjoy intense right-hand waves, making it a globally renowned spot for elite surfers. Meanwhile, the south end of Fistral offers a more tempered environment, shielded by the Pentire Headland, making it an ideal location for novice surfers. Additionally, surfers love the left breaking wave off the rocks at the south end of the beach. It delivers exhilarating rides between low and mid tide. In the middle of the beach, several peaks provide both right- and left-hand waves, making it more accessible for a wider range of surfers compared to the north end of the beach. The jewel in the crown is a wave known as ‘The Cribbar’ which is a big wave off the end of Towan Headland at the north end of the beach. It is the foremost big wave spot in the UK and spectators gather from miles around to watch the action unfold when the conditions come together for it.
Fistral Beach has a buzzing surfing vibe and is home to spectacular sunsets. It’s a great place to go surfing or bodyboarding.
Watergate Bay
Set just north of Newquay, Watergate Bay has miles of golden, rolling sandy beach, framed by deep rugged cliffs. It is exposed to the prevailing swell, so receives consistent waves all year round.
At low tide it can be a tough paddle out, so be prepared for that. A great feature is to walk all the way to the right of the beach, the north end, you’ll find a wave known as Watergate Corner. This quiet escape from the main section of the beach promises an exhilarating surfing experience amidst nature’s breathtaking beauty. Waves here refract off the cliff, creating ‘the bounce’, which gives you fun, fast right hand breaking waves. The main section of the beach has fun surf peaks and is generally good for all surfing abilities
Tolcarne Beach
Tolcarne beach near the centre of Newquay features a crescent-shaped bay set against a rugged cliff backdrop, with waves exposed from the swell wrapping around Towan headland. The prevailing south westerly wind blows offshore , creating consistently ‘clean’ wave conditions.
At mid tide, the right side of the beach offers fun right-hand waves. As the tide rises, waves collide with the cliff between Great Western & Tolcarne, creating a ‘wedge wave’ as cross waves connect with incoming waves. This left corner of the beach, known as Tolcarne Wedge, is renowned in the bodyboarding community and is considered as one of the best bodyboarding waves in the UK. At high tide (5.5m tide upwards) with a small swell, there can be a fun left-hand wedge with bowl shaped waves, offering great sections for aerials.
Guernsey
Vazon
Feel the allure of Vazon, a picturesque sandy beach located on the northwestern coast of Guernsey. Stretching over a mile and a half, it proudly stands as the largest beach on the island. As the premier surfing bay in Guernsey, Vazon’s expansive sandy shores provide surfers with an array of breaks suitable for every skill level. Picture slow, cascading waves peeling to the right, culminating near the reef opening known as ‘The Alcove’. With occasional left breaks spinning off the reef, Vazon Bay offers six distinct surf spots tailored to the prevailing swell, wind and tides. Bask in all-day sunshine leading up to the stunning evening sunsets, making Vazon an ideal beach destination for the perfect surfing day out.
Perelle Bay
Perelle Bay is situated at the western end of Guernsey, near the larger and more well-known Vazon Bay. This hidden treasure features a top-notch reef that produces a short, powerful right-hand wave and a long left-breaking wave over a shallow reef. Picture yourself catching a good left wave with a steep take-off and a thrilling long ride at high tide. On the other side, there’s a fun, carve-able point break style right breaking wave.
The right breaking wave can be a bit challenging to catch, but once you do, it leads into a thrilling, long, peeling ride in the right conditions. This spot really comes alive around high tide. As the beach faces west, you’ll not only enjoy stunning sunsets but also catch some great Atlantic swell. The reefs are renowned for offering some of the best surf on the island and are considered a big wave spot.
Portinfer
Portinfer Beach is celebrated among seasoned surfers as one of the premier and most reliable surf breaks on Guernsey. Situated in a picturesque cove adjacent to its more sheltered counterpart, Port Soif, the beachscape undergoes a captivating transformation from high to low tide, creating an ever-changing surfing environment. Portinfer is an idyllic surf spot, renowned for capturing larger swells than Vazon. Nestled in a secluded cove near Port Soif, it consistently offers some of the most substantial beach breaks in Guernsey. Caution is advised during low tide or when the tide is rising, as sharp rocks pose a hazard. It’s best to hit the surf around mid-tide, although be prepared for the beach to be bustling on summer days. The waves at this beach break in both left and right directions, with the optimal conditions usually occurring around mid-tide. However, it’s essential to remain vigilant for rocks.
