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Surfers riding waves on a clear day at Watergate Bay in Cornwall, UK.
📷 Stephen Noulton · Pexels

Holywell Bay School of Surf

3.9 — based on 16 community signals
4.4 12 species 45 contributors

Holywell Bay School of Surf offers consistent waves year-round near Cubert in Cornwall. A reliable training ground for surfers of all levels.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entryFamily-friendlyBeginnerSeasonal

At a glance

Activity
surf
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

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Map

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Holywell Bay School of Surf location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
17.1 kn
Wave
2.08 m
Water
17.7°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SW (22%)
Now: WSW (237°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 5.71m

Today: High 10:00 (+0.81m), Low 04:00 (-1.57m)

+2.5 m0 m-3.2 m
▼ 04:00 · -1.57m ▲ 10:00 · +0.81m ▼ 17:00 · -1.55m ▲ 23:00 · +0.53m Now +0.2m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV1.05 · low Air PM2.55 · good 07:02 19:25
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 19.2 2.2 1 0mm
09-20 11.9 1.8 3 0mm
09-21 6 1.18 5 0mm
09-22 6.4 1.24 4 0mm
09-23 17.1 1.58 4 0mm
09-24 10.1 1.48 4 0mm
09-25 9.5 3.26 4 3mm

About this spot

Holywell Bay School of Surf sits 380 meters northwest of Trevornick in Cubert, Cornwall, England. The bay delivers consistent Atlantic swell throughout the year, making it a dependable destination for learning and progression. The sheltered nature of the location and accessible entry points make it popular with schools and coaching facilities. The surrounding coastline offers multiple breaks and scenic appeal, typical of this productive stretch of the Cornish coast. Community contributions and video documentation show an active local scene. The bay's year-round rideable conditions mean you can schedule a session almost any time. Nearby amenities in Cubert and surrounding towns provide food, accommodation, and equipment access. The spot sits outside Marine Protected Areas, so standard beach access and water use apply.

📖 Guide: Diving in the United Kingdom: 57 Sites From Wrecks to Seals

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🏄 Surfboard or rental confirmation
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type G · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 350km · ~81kg · €1

FAQ

What's the best time to surf Holywell Bay School of Surf?

Holywell Bay works year-round. Atlantic swells arrive most reliably in autumn and winter, but summer often brings smaller, cleaner waves. Spring and fall offer the most consistent intermediate conditions.

What's the difficulty level?

The bay accommodates all levels. Sheltered sections suit beginners and coaching programs, while outer peaks offer more challenging shape for intermediate and advanced surfers.

What marine life should I expect?

Typical North Atlantic species occupy the bay. Local records document 12 species observations. Seals, fish, and seabirds are common. Respect wildlife and maintain distance.

Do I need permits or local access?

Holywell Bay is outside Marine Protected Areas. Standard UK beach access applies. Check local conditions, tide times, and any temporary restrictions before paddling out. Respect private property near the beach.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

1 records · 1 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Dosinia exoleta

Bivalvia · Veneridae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Cornwall Surf Academy surf lessons

cornwallsurfacademy

UK Schools Surf Championships

UK Pro Surf Association

Surfing Golden Watergate Bay

Lucas Hocking

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