UK SURF TRIPS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 13 uk 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!”
Meet Freewave Surf Academy at Widemouth Bay for a two-hour beginner lesson with a maximum of six people. You will warm up on the sand, learn basic safety and technique, then practice in the waves with instructors such as Marco, Reuben, Sally, and Robin. Morning and afternoon sessions are available.
“Our boys and thier cousins had 3 fantastic surf lessons with Sally at Freewave. Due to flat waves they also did a costeering experience with Glyn, which was thrilling and they even saw a seal. The communication with the academy was clear and timely, giving us options as the weather changed. The boys improved quickly and really enjoyed the experience. I would highly recommend - lovely instructors and great fun!”
Learn stand-up paddleboarding on Bristol’s Floating Harbour with SUP Bristol. Your instructor covers safety, kneeling, standing, strokes, turns, and self-rescue before leading a short harbour journey. Groups are limited to eight per instructor, with wetsuits, changing rooms, and hot showers available.
“We had an excellent session out on the water with Lexie - would deffo recommend! Booked for my best friend’s stag. A beautiful spot to paddle, and Lexie introduced some fun games too. Great value for money”
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 instructor Iona at Dunnet Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite for a private two-hour surf lesson at Dunnet Beach. Equipment, wetsuits, boards, safety training, and personalized coaching are included for up to two people.
“This was one of the highlights of our trip to Scotland this year! Iona is patient, engaging, knowledgeable and really passionate about the sea, the coast and the sport of surfing and this shows in the way she delivers her sessions. She is also local and her love of this part of the coast is truly evident. We were met promptly at the meeting point, provided with all the equipment we would need and then carried the boards to the beach. We had a safety briefing with her and, considering we were both novice surfers, important ‘do’s and dont’s’ to make sure we didn’t hurt ourselves. With that, we were…”
Meet Woody at Derwent Water Jetties in Keswick for a three-hour paddleboarding lesson on Derwentwater. You’ll walk five minutes to the shore, get a board, wetsuit, buoyancy aid, and practical coaching, then paddle among mountain views and local wildlife in a group of no more than six.
“Woody brought the gear and guided us through a really fun paddle experience on Derwent Water. With hurricane Agnes slowly making her way to the Lake District, Woody guided us out onto the water. The winds picked up by the end of the outing, but Woody had engineered our trajectory such that we were blown back to our starting point by the gently increasing breeze.”
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…”
Meet Alex or James at Arden Sailing Club near Eckington for a 2.5-hour beginner SUP lesson and river safari. You’ll learn board control, paddle strokes, turns, and safety before heading along the peaceful Avon. Equipment is provided, and you must be 12 or older and able to swim 50 metres.
“Myself and partner had a wonderful morning river safari with Alex. She gave us great instruction and advice on all things sup like boards, good routes to try and even tips for paddling with our daughter. She is so lovely and friendly and put us both completely at ease.”
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