NEWQUAY SURF TRIPS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 newquay surf trips worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you paddle out.
Meet Quiksilver Surf School at 10:30 am for a two-hour beginner lesson near Fistral Beach. Your instructor covers safety, paddling, timing, board control, and standing up, with boards and wetsuits supplied. Winter kit includes boots, gloves, and a hood.
“Our 15-year-old had an amazing time learning to surf with Quiksilver Surf School. We booked a block of 5 lessons and couldn’t be more impressed with the whole experience.”
Meet the Newquay Activity Centre on Fore Street for a two-hour beginner lesson led by instructors such as Alex. You’ll learn beach safety, practise on sand, then try stand-up surfing at Great Western or Fistral Beach with a wetsuit, ID vest, locker, and stable foam board provided.
“The instructors were super friendly/ patient and nice! Although for a beginner class I think it's important to take less students in a group so that the instructor can focus more with each person since it's a completely new activity for some of us. Other than that I recommend the surfing class and I would definitely do it again!”
Meet Cornish Wave Surf School in central Newquay, get fitted with a wetsuit, then walk to the beach for a two-hour beginner lesson. Your instructor covers safety, prone surfing, wave catching, and standing up. Groups are capped at eight, with boards and wetsuits included.
“We felt welcomed by staff since our entry into the shop. Although we did not have a proper warm up, except for carrying our boards down to the beach, we spent plenty of time in water practicing. I would definitely do it again!”
Learn to surf at Newquay’s Fistral Beach with a private two-hour lesson tailored to your level. Coaches work with beginners, children age five and up, and improving surfers. Boards, wetsuits, changing rooms, and hot showers are provided, with optional equipment hire after class.
“Brilliant week of surfing lessons. Super instructors, great atmosphere and progress in surfing really clear. Thank you so much!”
Meet Escape Surf School near Belushis in central Newquay for a two-hour lesson split between beach tuition and Atlantic waves. Beginners learn with a stabilizing tail-hold method, while improvers work on paddling, turning, wave reading, and control. Boards, wetsuits, boots, gloves, and hot showers are included.
“I loved this place from day one. The staff were very friendly, very welcoming and the instructors just perfect for the job, they make sure everybody feels at ease, well informed and they are with you communicating throughout the whole two hours.”
Learn stand-up paddleboarding in a small group of no more than eight, then follow an instructor along Newquay’s sheltered coves, harbor, and bay. Equipment, wetsuit, buoyancy aid, and a safety lesson are included. Suitable for children over 8 with moderate fitness.
“James was a great guide with a real interest and knowledge of wildlife and local history. I would say the Paddleboarding isn’t for the faint hearted actually, and if you’re unfit, even tougher. I was surprised how hard going it was on mildly choppy water, having only done it on still lakes and calm tropical sea before! Falling in with a helmet, life vest, wetsuit and trainers on wasn’t pleasant anlthough appreciate H&S takes priority for any of these businesses. Highlight was seeing an adult seal and a youngster which was totally unexpected. Would probably chose kayaking in future due to fitness level!”
Join Newquay Activity Centre for a two-hour giant SUP trip along the Cornish coast. Guides such as Rudi, James, Oleks, Amy, and Harrison help groups paddle into coves and caves, spot seals, and learn local tales. Wetsuit, buoyancy aid, helmet, paddle, and heated changing rooms are included.
“Rudi was amazing and we got to see and swim with sea puppies it was awesome ! Water was lovely and warm our guide wAs really good he told us all the history and we had lots of fun !”
Meet at Newquay Activity Centre for a two-hour English-language bodyboard lesson with a maximum of 10 people. Instructors such as Amy, James, Salvador, and Alex teach safety, paddling, wave choice, and body position, with wetsuit, board, changing rooms, showers, and lockers included.
“Went for a lesson with my nine year old son. Cannot recommend highly enough. We’ve had surf lessons before but this was different level of fun, expertise and individual detailed coaching. My (at the start very poor) bodyboarding was transformed by the brilliant Salvador. As was my son’s - and Salvador pitched the teaching at both of us differently to really help us both get better. I went from catching maybe one in ten waves to basically catching most viable waves going. (And I’m an… erm… big boned… man in his 50s!) Transformational. And just a lot of fun - really relaxed and fun atmosphere. Thank you Salvador! And also…”
Pick up a tested wetsuit and beginner surfboard directly at Fistral Beach in Newquay. This is equipment hire, not a lesson, so you need to swim and manage your own session. Secure storage, public transport access, and flexible water time make it useful for confident beginners.
“It was me and my friends first time surfing and everyone managed to stand up which was incredible !!”
Join Escape Surf School in Newquay for a private two-hour surf lesson for up to four people. Children aged eight and older can take part if they can swim 50 metres. Your coach covers safety and technique on the beach, then gives hands-on help in the water at Towan or Newquay Beach.
“Booked a two hour private lesson for myself and my son. We had Jack as our instructor and he was very good. Friendly, good natured, patient and encouraging. Having spent the past 35 years as a professional sports coach, I know good teaching and coaching. Jack and his colleagues have very well structured lessons and excellent coaching skills. I saw them working with pupils of all ages and abilities and they certainly know how to pitch the lesson and improve people. They got me standing and surfing, so they must be good!”
Meet in Newquay at 6 pm for a three-day surf, yoga, and wild camping weekend. You’ll surf with a small group of up to eight, practice yoga in a woodland shala, sleep in spacious tents, and enjoy breakfast each morning. Instructors may include Jake, Victor, Aimee, or Zoe.
“Absolutely loved very minute - 5 star all round! Everything was so well organised with great communication. Facilities were fantastic; so nicely designed with a rustic charm. The instructors and staff were utterly brilliant, at camp and in store.”
Meet your Escape Surf School coach at Belushis in central Newquay for a two-hour private lesson. You’ll spend about 20 minutes learning on the beach, then practice in the water at Towan or Newquay Beach. Coaches including Henry, Andrew, Mike, and Pigeon tailor the session to your ability.
“I booked 4 consecutive days with Escape Surf School, Tuesday to Friday. Lessons are undertaken on Towan Beach where the waves are a bit smaller and more manageable compared to Fistral, ideal for beginners like myself. Keep in mind that sometimes the lesson times may need to be adjusted to better align with the tides, my first lesson had to be moved from 10am to midday. Fortunately communication was excellent and I received both calls and texts from Simone on the front desk about this beforehand.”
For children aged 8 to 13, Escape Surf School offers a 2-hour lesson on Towan Beach, with boards, wetsuits, changing rooms, hot showers, snacks, and individual coaching. Tide times set the start time, and groups are capped at six children.
“A fabulous experience for my 12 year old son. Jack the instructor was kind, encouraging and patient with the kids, and my son was soon standing up on the board. He absolutely loved it! The beach itself where the lessons are held had more gentle waves suitable for beginners and intermediates. It all went very well.”
Spend a full day learning or improving your surfing at Newquay’s Towan Beach. Escape Surf School provides two two-hour lessons, boards, wetsuits, changing rooms, and hot showers. Groups are limited to four and split by ability, with coaching on safety, paddling, turning, and wave choice.
“Just completed 5 x 2 hour lessons over 3 days and had just such a great experience! All the instructors were amazing, super patient and really knowledgeable. I definitely felt I was in safe hands and learnt something new from each of them so thank you Jack, Mike, Andrew, Sam and Finn for getting me up and working on my turning. All the staff at Escape were super friendly, the facilities were great and I really appreciated the hot showers after each session - would definitely recommend!x”
Meet an Escape Surf School coach at Towan Beach for a private lesson shared by two people. You’ll spend about 20 minutes learning beach technique, then work in the water on paddling, wave choice, turning, and standing up, with boards, wetsuits, boots, gloves, showers, and changing rooms provided.
“My teenagers had a great time with their instructor Lucy. She was patient and very encouraging. The instructor was knowledgeable and really attentive. Fantastic experience. Definitely recommend Escape surf school. The kids are keen to come again!”
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