Holywell Bay surf guide

Holywell Bay is a scenic, crescent-shaped beach located in a quiet area that offers a chill vibe away from the busier spots like Newquay. The beach is backed by sand dunes and requires about a ten-minute walk from the National Trust car park in the village to get to the shore. This spot is often overlooked, making it a great option if you're looking to escape the crowds and enjoy some time in the water.

The surf here can be a bit hit or miss. When conditions are right, you can find fun beach breaks with lefts and rights, but there's also the chance of hitting long closeouts. The best conditions typically come with clean swells rolling in from the west (W), handling sizes from about 0.6m to 2.4m (2ft to 8ft). The optimal swell direction is from the west, and it can also work with southwest and northwest swells. It’s more workable at low to mid tide, but be mindful that rip currents can develop when the swell picks up. If you’re a beginner or intermediate surfer, this spot is suitable for you. Bring your shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard, or bodyboard, depending on your skill level and the size of the waves.

While the beach generally offers easy paddling when it's smaller, larger swells can create some rippy conditions. The preferred winds come from the southeast (SE) for the best surf experience. The season for catching good waves here is from September to February, especially when the swell is cleaner and bigger. Overall, it's a bit of a roll of the dice—sometimes you score a great session, and other times you may find yourself in a frustrating close-out.