Watergate Bay

Why you'll love it here!

Watergate Bay is one of Cornwall’s most consistent surf beaches, with a wide, open sweep of sand that picks up Atlantic swell and offers plenty of room even when it’s busy. The beach tends to work across a range of tides, and because it’s so spacious you can usually find a peak that suits your ability—whether you’re hunting clean shoulder-high runners or just looking for a mellow corner to practise pop-ups and trimming. ​

For surfers who like variety, Watergate is a great “all-in-one” spot: shifting sandbanks can create multiple take-off zones, and conditions can change quickly as the tide pushes in or drains out. On smaller days it can feel playful and forgiving, while bigger swells bring more power and faster sections—rewarding confident paddlers with longer rides when the banks line up. ​

It’s also a strong option for progression. The long beach helps spread learners out, and there’s usually a manageable area to work on fundamentals without feeling boxed in. When the wind is up and the surf turns a bit messy, it can actually be useful practice for real-world surfing—building better balance, stronger paddling, and quicker decision-making. ​

Above all, Watergate Bay suits surfers who want a reliable, energetic session with that classic north-coast feel: open horizon, rolling sets, and a beach that encourages you to stay in the water “just one more wave.” If you tell the tone you want (more family-friendly, more hardcore surf-specific, or more travel-guide style), this can be rewritten to match your Gwithian section even more closely.