Unforgettable Surfing Adventures in Cornwall
Top Holiday Cottages by the Sea in Cornwall for an Epic Coastal Getaway
Admit it, who hasn’t seen videos of salt-sprayed surfers riding monster waves, and day dreamed about giving up the rat race to pursue a bohemian life by the sea?! The sun, the sand, and the shimmering sea stretching all the way to the horizon. I know I have. The problem is I can’t surf. But you have to start somewhere. So it was the perfect excuse to play out childish fantasies with a self-catering, family surfing holiday, in a Cornish cottage by the sea.
After plugging in my destination dates and filtering for pet-friendly cottages by the coast, (with a hot tub, naturally!) on HolidayCottage.com, I landed on the perfect base for a family holiday in South West Cornwall. A place in the historic town of St Ives with enough room for us all to spread out, but with cosy communal spaces where we could regroup after a hard day of salt-blasted surfing, to regale one another of ‘gnarly’ wave encouters, ‘hanging ten’ and epic ‘wipeouts’ (those phrases courtesy of Surfing for Dummies). And of course a hot tub lodge is the perfect way to soak away any aches and pains, wine in hand, once the little darlings are all tucked up.
For the uninitiated, St Ives is a beautiful spot on England’s coast, known for its wide open beaches and enticing turquoise waters, especially in the spring and summer. The town itself is packed with character – from its quaint cottages to its independent shops, art galleries and live music locations – making it a very special place to visit. For all you art buffs, The Tate St Ives gallery and Barbara Hepworth Museum are must-visits.
It’s also home to St Ives Surf School where we signed up for a group surf lesson to get to grips with the basics. After shoe-horning our way into wetsuits, our energetic young instructors introduced us to our surf boards, and ran through various technique drills on the beach that soon had us wind-milling our arms and acrobatically leaping into crouching surfer poses. So far so easy – I had a feeling I would be a natural. The drumbeat of the sea and the white horse topped waves were calling me.
Sadly, it soon became clear that acting the part on the beach is much easier than wobbling atop just a couple of inches of water. As I should have predicted, the children – with their enviable low centres of gravity – were soon gleefully whizzing inland on their boards. After my first few abortive attempts, being the macho father figure prone to showing off, I swam further out in search of the biggest wave I could find. Surely the size of the wave was the real problem?! But I was so exhausted by the time I had manoeuvred my board into position, the only pose I could muster was the ‘lying face flat holding, gasping for breath’ position.
It was a brilliant experience for all of us thanks to the team at St Ives Surf School and the kids have already demanded we return next year.
And so what if surfing isn’t my sport. There’s always wing suiting.
Escape, explore, enjoy!
Adam
Catch the Ultimate Waves: Top 10 Surfing Beaches in Cornwall for All Skill Levels
- Fistral Beach, Newquay – Cornwall’s surfing hotspot, with consistent waves and home to major surf competitions.
- Gwithian Beach, Hayle – Ideal for all skill levels, with plenty of wave variety and scenic sand dunes.
- Perranporth Beach – Known for spacious sands and beginner-friendly waves, especially at low tide.
- Polzeath Beach – Gentle surf for beginners with a laid-back atmosphere and nearby surf schools.
- Porthmeor Beach, St Ives – Beautifully set with reliable waves; great for both surfers and spectators.
- Porthtowan Beach – Fast, powerful waves popular with experienced surfers, offering fantastic views.
- Praa Sands Beach – The south coast gem, with hollow waves and a more secluded feel.
- Sennen Cove Beach – Excellent for both beginners and experts, with consistent waves and golden sands.
- Constantine Bay – Known for its reef break and challenging surf, a top spot for skilled surfers.
- Watergate Bay – A vast beach perfect for surfing at all stages, with reliable swell and surf schools.