Watergate Bay Beach

About Watergate Bay

The large expanse of sand of Watergate Bay makes it perfect for beach activities, with a variety of events taking place throughout the calendar. Everything from music festivals, beach sports and the annual “Polo on the Beach” keep it buzzing all year round. 

Watergate Bay beach really is nature’s playground, and with an extreme sports academy offering lessons in surfing, paddle boarding and kitesurfing to name a few theres something for everyone to enjoy. RNLI lifeguards operate daily during the summer months to ensure safe swimming conditions for all.

If you fancy a more chilled time by the beach, Jamie Oliver’s award winning Fifteen restaurant directly overlooks the beach along with the contemporary Watergate Bay hotel offering various eateries giving you the perfect place to relax. You’ll be spoilt for choice!

Watergate Bay’s annual water quality has been classed as excellent by the Marine Conservation Society in 2018. Water samples are taken by the Environmental Agency between May and September during the summer season. Excellent is the highest classification rating and the cleanest water.

Watergate Bay is a dog friendly beach all year round.

View live webcams of Watergate Bay beach and other top Cornwall beaches

Car Parking
There are two car parks at Watergate Bay. If approaching from Newquay a privately owned car park is on your left and closest to the beach. If you continue the road around there is a Cornwall Council owned car park that is cheaper and is free during the winter months.

Toilets
Public toilets are approximately 150m from Watergate Bay beach, near the council car park. There is a 20p charge to use these so have your pennies ready if you want to spend a penny!  There are also many eateries nearby with toilets but please make sure you buy something at the same time…

Disabled Access / Sand Wheelchair
A privately owned car park is very close to Watergate Bay beach with a sloping concrete path down to the sand. Sand wheelchairs are also available from the Watergate Bay Hotel. If you would like to hire one, please contact the hotel on 01637 860543.

Nearby Beaches / South West Coast Path
The closest beach to the north of Watergate Bay is Mawgan Porth, approximately 2 miles away and is accessible via the coastal path. To access the coastal path to the north, walk up Trevarrian Hill (along side the hotel) and just past Tregurrian apartments there is a small lane which leads to the coast path.

The closest beach to the south of Watergate Bay is Whipsiderry Beach, approximately 1.6 miles away along the coastal path. To access the coastal path to the south, head to the entrance of the car park closest to the beach and you will see a sign post alongside the road.