Gwithian Beach is part of the three-mile sweep of sand stretching from Godrevy Point south to Hayle on the north Cornwall coast. It’s one of the best beginner surf venues in Cornwall — a wide, forgiving beach break with multiple peaks, lower crowds than Fistral, and a strong surf-school presence.
What to expect
A consistent beach break that picks up most Atlantic swells. The wave is gentler than the more localised Fistral or Croyde — ideal for beginners stepping up from lessons and intermediate longboarders. Tides matter: mid tide is the sweet spot; low tide can dump on the inner sandbar at small sizes. The peaks shift around the beach as conditions change, so finding empty surf is usually possible.
Practical notes
Year-round; September-March for the biggest swells. Multiple surf schools operate from the beach (Gwithian Academy of Surfing, Smart Surf). Wetsuit: 5/4/3 winter, 4/3 autumn, 3/2 summer. Sunset Surf cafe on the beach is a fixture. Combine a surf with a walk to Godrevy lighthouse, a visit to St Ives, or a Hayle Towans dune walk. Parking at the beach access — fills quickly in summer.
Train, parking, drive…
- Train
- St Erth (GWR mainline), then bus 16 to Gwithian (~25 min)
- Parking
- Godrevy and Gwithian Towans NT car parks, members free
- Postcode
- TR27 5BT
- Drive
- ~5h30 from London
- Car-free?
- Possible
Transport details are best-effort and worth double-checking on the day — rural buses and station services change with the timetable.
If you’ve got an extra day…
Plan it yourself.
The most authoritative sources we know of for this break — routes, conditions, governing bodies and operators. Open in a new tab.
