Fistral, Watergate Bay, Porth… seriously, how do you decide which beach to hit up in Newquay? Well, the rule of thumb is this: do you take your surfing seriously and enjoy a party atmosphere? Hit up Fistral. Do you prefer a more relaxed surfing experience or you just want to chill out in acres of space? Hit up Watergate. Do you want some fun with the kids on a more family-friendly beach? Hit up Porth.
But hit up Holywell Bay Beach if you want a slice of all of the above. You can go bodyboarding out on the waves. You can bring the family here and find plenty of space to build castles and lay out those towels. You can explore the sand dunes, some of which reach up to 60 feet in height. And you can also bring your dog to enjoy this expanse as Holywell Bay is a big beach with golden sands that’s backed by those huge grassy dunes. There’s also a stream that kids can spend hours splashing in.
An extra bonus at this beach is Holywell Cave, which can be accessed at low tide. This grotto goes back into the rock and is rich with calcium deposits, plus it’s a great way to get out of the hot sun and into a much cooler atmosphere. Also look out to sea at low tide and see the wreck of an old Argentinian vessel.
Holywell Beach isn’t really in the centre of Newquay. It’s actually a couple of miles down the coast next to the small village of, unsurprisingly, Holywell, where the nearest toilets to the beach lie. The National Trust owns the site and runs the car park, plus lifeguards man the beach over the summer. Overall, this golden place is a great alternative to Watergate, Fistral and Porth, just a hop, skip and jump down the coast from the great Cornish town of Newquay.