South East Cornwall is not the first place most people think of for surfing, but the long, south-west facing sweep of Whitsand Bay on the Rame Peninsula picks up plenty of Atlantic swell and is one of the more consistent surf spots on Cornwall's south coast – just a short drive from Plymouth over the Tamar or via the Torpoint ferry.
Along the coast to the west, smaller beaches at Portwrinkle, Downderry, Seaton and Looe only come to life on the right south or south-westerly swell, while Pentewan in St Austell Bay needs a south-easterly or a very big south-westerly swell. When they do work, they are rarely crowded.
Adventure Bay Surf School runs lessons on Whitsand Bay, and there is plenty of holiday accommodation around Whitsand Bay, the Rame Peninsula, Looe and Pentewan for a quieter surf trip away from the north coast crowds.
Whether you're a Plymouth surfer checking Tregantle after work or a visitor taking a first lesson on Whitsand Bay, South East Cornwall offers uncrowded waves when the swell and wind line up.
Interactive Map of South East Cornwall Surf Beaches
Locate South East Cornwall's surf beaches using our interactive surf map.
Click markers for beach information.
Surfing from Whitsand Bay to St Austell Bay
Whitsand Bay faces south-west, straight into the swell that comes up the Channel, and comes alive when swell rolls in from the west. Its beach-break waves generally work best from mid to low tide, with Tregantle and Tregonhawke the most consistent spots. Every access point is down a steep cliff path, and the tide comes in fast – the RNLI is regularly called to people cut off here.
West of Portwrinkle the coast is more sheltered, and Looe, Seaton and Downderry need a southerly swell to produce anything rideable – on its day Looe can be excellent, but good conditions only line up a handful of times a year.
Whitsand Bay (Tregonhawke) – A wild, four-mile sweep of sand beneath high cliffs, south-west facing and picking up plenty of Atlantic swell, with dependable beach-break waves best from mid to low tide. Tregonhawke has the bay's main facilities and, with Tregantle, its seasonal RNLI lifeguard cover. Rip currents and shifting sandbars are a real hazard.
Tregantle (Long Sands) – A mile of sand and shingle beneath Tregantle Fort and one of the more popular and consistent surf spots in Whitsand Bay, best from mid to low tide. Rips and shifting sandbars are a genuine hazard – in April 2026 lifeguards and Looe lifeboat responded to multiple casualties caught in rips here. Note the active MoD firing range.
Portwrinkle – Two coves at the western end of Whitsand Bay. Finnygook Beach, east of the harbour, opens onto the main bay, catches more of the swell and is the more popular with experienced surfers and bodyboarders. Expect a punchy shorebreak and rips near the harbour wall and headlands; there are no lifeguards.
Seaton – A spacious grey sand and shingle beach at the mouth of the River Seaton. Surf is inconsistent – bodyboarders and the occasional longboarder find playable waves on the right wrap-around swell – and regarded locally as one of the more reliably surfable spots around Looe. Signs warn of strong undercurrents, large breaking waves and submerged rocks.
Downderry – A long beach of grey sand and shingle where surfing is possible on a southerly swell, with stand-up paddleboarding and snorkelling popular in calmer conditions. There are no lifeguards, and rips are not uncommon in rougher, southerly-swell conditions.
Looe – An exposed beach break with genuinely inconsistent surf, best suited to experienced surfers. Winter is the favoured season, needing a south-south-westerly swell with an offshore west-south-westerly wind – on its day it can be excellent, but good conditions only line up a handful of times a year.
Pentewan – A long, south-east facing sandy beach in St Austell Bay, best around mid tide, that works on south-east or huge south-west swells. A good all-round beach for non-surfers too, with Pentewan Sands Holiday Park right behind it.
Whether you're after consistent beach-break waves at Tregantle or a rare day of clean surf at Looe, South East Cornwall rewards patience, local knowledge and respect for its tides and cliffs. For flatter-water fun, Par Sands in St Austell Bay is popular with beginner windsurfers and kitesurfers.
South East Cornwall Surf Beach Guides
Pentewan Surf Guide
A long sandy beach at the mouth of the St Austell river that works on south-east or huge south-west swells, best around mid tide – and a good all-round family beach when it's flat.
Popular Activities: Surfing on the right swell, swimming in the buoyed zone, and cycling the Pentewan Valley Trail to Heligan.
Large pay car park at the rear of the beach
Toilets and refreshments at Pentewan Sands Holiday Park
Slipway
Buoyed summer swimming zone – no permanent lifeguard patrol
Seasonal dog restrictions on parts of the beach – check signage
Backed by dunes and Pentewan Sands Holiday Park, with a fascinating 19th-century china clay harbour behind. Access from the car park to the beach is level and relatively easy.
Sat Nav Co-ordinates: N50º 17' 20.95" - W4º 46' 37.20"
Looe's sandy town beach, sheltered by the Banjo Pier. The surf off Looe is genuinely inconsistent and best left to experienced surfers on the handful of winter days when the swell and wind line up.
Popular Activities: Family swimming, kayak and paddleboard hire, and boat trips to Looe Island.
Millpool, Riverbank and Quay car parks, 5–10 minutes' walk
Pier Cafe and public toilets by the beach
Seasonal kayak, paddleboard and sunlounger hire
No RNLI lifeguard patrol
No dogs all year – use Hannafore Beach instead
The Banjo Pier takes much of the swell out of the western half of the beach, making it one of the more sheltered family beaches in the area. A slipway and ramps give reasonable access down onto the sand, and a wheelchair can be borrowed from the seafront workshops.
Sat Nav Co-ordinates: N50º 21' 08.28" - W4º 27' 05.76"
Regarded locally as one of the more reliably surfable spots around Looe, though conditions are inconsistent – bodyboarders and longboarders find playable waves on the right wrap-around swell.
Popular Activities: Bodyboarding, the Seaton Valley Countryside Park trail and family beach days.
Two council car parks by the beach
Beachfront cafe, shop and toilets
Children's play park
RNLI lifeguards, mid-May to late September
Dogs allowed all year
A spacious grey sand and shingle beach at the mouth of the River Seaton, with level road access and no steps – one of the most accessible beaches on this coast. Beach signs warn of strong undercurrents, large breaking waves and submerged rocks, and inflatables are not recommended.
Sat Nav Co-ordinates: N50º 21' 52.20" - W4º 23' 04.20"
A long grey sand and shingle beach where surfing is possible on a southerly swell, with paddleboarding and snorkelling popular on calmer days.
Popular Activities: Surfing on southerly swells, SUP, snorkelling and bouldering on the eastern cliffs.
Broads Yard car park, 5 minutes' walk, with disabled bays
Toilets with disabled facilities
Pub, cafes, shops and post office in the village
No RNLI lifeguard patrol
Dogs allowed all year
The main beach is reached by slipway with level road access, suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Rip currents are not uncommon in rougher or southerly-swell conditions, so check conditions before going in.
Sat Nav Co-ordinates: N50º 21' 43.20" - W4º 22' 08.40"
A former pilchard-fishing hamlet at the western end of Whitsand Bay. Finnygook Beach catches more of the swell and is popular with experienced surfers and bodyboarders.
Popular Activities: Surfing and bodyboarding at Finnygook, rock pooling and coast path walks.
Two small clifftop car parks (narrow lanes, limited spaces)
Seasonal beach cafe and public toilets
No RNLI lifeguard patrol
Dog rules differ between the two coves – check signage
Two coves, Finnygook and Hoodny Cove, either side of a 17th/18th-century harbour below Whitsand Bay Golf Club. Expect a punchy shorebreak and rip currents near the harbour wall and headlands, and watch the tide. Access is by steps or the uneven slipway, so it is not suited to wheelchairs or buggies.
Sat Nav Co-ordinates: N50º 21' 41.76" - W4º 18' 40.68"
One of the more popular and consistent surf spots in Whitsand Bay, with dependable beach-break waves from Atlantic swell, best from mid to low tide.
Popular Activities: Surfing, surf lessons and coasteering with Adventure Bay Surf School.
Council car park, around 180 spaces (PL11 3AL), free in winter
No toilets, shop or cafe at the beach
Steep cliff path – no level access
RNLI lifeguards daily, mid-May to late September
Dogs allowed all year
Long Sands lies beneath the Victorian Tregantle Fort and an active MoD firing range – observe the red flags and signs. Rip currents and shifting sandbars are a real and recurring problem, and the only way down is a steep, uneven five-minute cliff path.
Sat Nav Co-ordinates: N50º 21' 09.72" - W4º 16' 18.84"
A wild, four-mile sweep of sand beneath high cliffs, south-west facing and picking up plenty of Atlantic swell. Tregonhawke has the bay's main facilities, seasonal lifeguards and is the base for most visitors.
Popular Activities: Surfing, bodyboarding, surf lessons and coast path walks.
Roadside and seasonal field parking at Tregonhawke
Toilets and the Cliff Top Cafe; the Fort Inn nearby
RNLI lifeguards at Tregonhawke daily, early May to late September
No lifeguards elsewhere in the bay apart from Tregantle
Dogs allowed all year
Every route down to the sand – at Tregantle, Sharrow, Freathy and Tregonhawke – is a steep, uneven cliff path with steps, so the bay is not realistically accessible for wheelchair or pushchair users. The tide comes in fast and the RNLI is regularly called out to people cut off.
Sat Nav Co-ordinates: N50º 20' 42.00" - W4º 14' 06.00"
Whitsand Bay at Tregonhawke (lifeguarded, with lessons)
Tregantle (smaller days, with lessons)
Seaton (bodyboarding)
Pentewan (small swells)
Advanced Surf Breaks in South East Cornwall
Looe (winter, south-south-westerly swell)
Finnygook Beach, Portwrinkle
Tregantle on bigger swells
Downderry on southerly swells (no lifeguards)
Surf Schools and Surfboard Hire in South East Cornwall
Surf Schools
Adventure Bay Surf School – Whitsand Bay (surf lessons and coasteering)
Surfboard Hire
Adventure Bay Surf School, Whitsand Bay
East Looe Beach – seasonal kayak and paddleboard hire
Plymouth surf shops, a short drive via the Torpoint ferry or Tamar Bridge
Business details believed correct at time of writing – please confirm lesson times, prices and availability directly with each provider before travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions About Surfing in South East Cornwall
Can you surf at Whitsand Bay?
Yes. Whitsand Bay is south-west facing and picks up plenty of Atlantic swell, with reliable beach-break waves at Tregantle and Tregonhawke, generally best from mid to low tide. Adventure Bay Surf School runs lessons on the bay.
Which part of Whitsand Bay has lifeguards?
RNLI lifeguards patrol only Tregonhawke and Tregantle in season. Everywhere else along the bay has no lifeguard cover at any time of year, and the tide comes in quickly beneath the cliffs.
Can you surf at Looe?
Occasionally. Looe is an exposed, inconsistent beach break best suited to experienced surfers. It favours winter, needing a south-south-westerly swell with an offshore west-south-westerly wind, and only breaks well a handful of days a year. Seaton nearby is more reliably surfable.
Is Whitsand Bay suitable for wheelchair users?
Not realistically. Every route down to Whitsand Bay is a steep, uneven cliff path with steps. Seaton and Downderry, a few miles west, both have level road or slipway access onto the beach.
Are dogs allowed on the South East Cornwall surf beaches?
Whitsand Bay, Tregantle, Seaton and Downderry all welcome dogs all year round. East Looe Beach has a year-round dog ban, and Pentewan and parts of Portwrinkle have summer restrictions – check signage on arrival.
Surf conditions, lifeguard patrol dates, parking charges and dog restrictions change from year to year – always check locally and follow RNLI beach safety advice before entering the water.
