Towan Beach is the beating heart of Newquay, Cornwall. Nestled picturesquely beneath the town itself, this golden-sanded beach offers a quintessential seaside experience for families, surfers, sunbathers and explorers alike.

Whether you’re building sandcastles with the kids, catching your first wave or soaking up some Cornish sunshine, Towan Beach has something for everyone. 

Read on to see lots of photos of Towan Beach, the iconic island house, where to eat, things to do and our favourite things about this beach as locals!

Towan Beach: A Sheltered Paradise for Families

One of Towan Beach’s biggest draws is its sheltered location. Tucked behind Towan Headland, and next to Newquay Harbour, the beach often boasts calmer waters compared to Newquay’s more exposed stretches of coastline such as Fistral and Watergate.

This makes it ideal for families with young children, as the gentler waves closer to the shoreline create a safe and fun paddling environment. Lifeguards patrol the beach during peak season, providing further peace of mind for parents.

Beyond the water, the wide expanse of golden sand, at low to mid tide, offers ample space for building sandcastles, playing beach games or simply relaxing with a good book. The proximity to Newquay town centre means shops, cafes and ice-cream parlours (think Ben and Jerry’s!) are just a stone’s throw away, perfect for grabbing refreshments or souvenirs.

And, if venturing into town is too far from this beach paradise in the heart of Newquay, you’ll find a selection of foods at Towan Beach itself on the platform behind the beach offering hot drinks, cold refreshments, chips, coconut drinks and much more!

Surfer’s Delight: Learning the Ropes at Towan

While the waves may be tamer than other Newquay beaches like Fistral, Towan still offers fantastic opportunities for surfers of all abilities. The gentle swells are ideal for beginners to learn the ropes, with surf schools readily available offering lessons and board rentals. More experienced surfers can head out when the tide picks up, finding waves suitable for honing their skills.

Other water sports available include kayaking, paddleboarding, and windsurfing, making it a water sports haven.

Explore the Iconic Island and Beyond: Towan’s Hidden Gems

One of Towan Beach’s most recognisable features is “The Island,” a towering rocky outcrop with a house built on top accessible by a charming suspension bridge.  In previous years it has been a residential home, but more recently it is rented out as a one-of-a-kind holiday rental. 

While it cannot be accessed by the public, it is an iconic sight in Newquay and makes for a great photo from the Killacourt greens above Towan Beach and at low tide you can walk all the way around the bottom of the island imagining what it would be like to live in such a unique house and location!  Oh, and all while wondering how they get all their building and house materials across the small suspension bridge!

For those seeking a coastal adventure, Towan Beach is a great starting point for exploring the wider Newquay area. The South West Coast Path, a national trail offering stunning coastal walks, is easily accessible from the beach. From Towan Beach you are able to climb the steps to Newquay Harbour at low tide and continue along to Towan Headland for views across Fistral Beach and back towards Towan Beach across Newquay Bay.

At low tide, you can also walk from Towan Beach across to Great Western, Tolcarne, Lusty Glaze and even reach all the way to Porth Beach along the sand if you get the timings right.  Just be sure to plan this walk so you do not get cut off by the tide without an escape route from the beach!

But be aware, at high tide, the sea can cover the entire beach making it completely inaccessible with the waves crashing against the promenade!

Facilities and Amenities at Towan Beach

Towan Beach boasts a range of amenities catering to every need. Free public toilets are available at the Harbour, or paid toilets are in Fore Street car park. Sainsbury’s also has a toilet and is not far away.   There are beach huts which can be rented for the day. Several surf schools operate on the beach, offering lessons, board and wetsuit hire.

You can easily grab a refreshing drink or a bite to eat at one of the cafes or kiosks lining the promenade, however, be mindful that many of these small businesses are seasonal only, operating from around Easter to October. 

Types of businesses you’ll find on The Promenade at Towan Beach include:

• The Coconut Chy: Buy fresh coconuts and Pina Coladas in Pineapples to enjoy on the beach.
• SSS surf school: offering private lessons, kids lessons, women surf groups and more.
• Beach Bakery: Offering lots of refreshments. Their vegan sausage rolls are our favourite in the whole of Newquay!

So, Why is Towan Beach So Popular?

Towan Beach’s popularity stems from its perfect blend of family-friendly fun, beautiful surroundings and proximity to the vibrant town centre making it easily accessible for everyone visiting central Newquay, even if only for one day. 

It’s an ideal spot for those who want to combine a beach day with some urban exploration. The beach is renowned for its soft golden sands and crystal-clear waters, making it a popular spot for photography, especially with the iconic island and suspension bridge as a backdrop.

Whether you’re seeking a relaxing day on the beach, a surfing adventure or a base to explore Newquay’s many attractions, Towan Beach is the perfect starting point.

What We Love About Towan Beach

Being local I regularly walk via Towan Beach when walking into town, running errands or returning home from coastal hikes along the nearby South West Coastal Path and headlands. 

My husband and I have a weekly lunch date together and enjoy food from one of our favourite vegan eateries in Newquay called Sprout while sitting up on the benches overlooking the beach. 

Or we opt for the best vegan sausage rolls in Newquay (in our opinion) from Beach Bakery on the promenade lining the beach!  We enjoy looking out across to Watergate Bay, chatting about the iconic island house before walking across the sands of the beach to Tolcarne or Lusty Glaze, if the tide allows, before returning home.  

We also love to cross the beach when going to Newquay Harbour if the tide is low, crossing the rocks at the far left of the beach which have many rock pools and marine life, and climbing the steps to be greeted by the smells and sights of a working harbour which is always fascinating.

The beach can get pretty crowded in the summer and it’s not one we usually sit at for the day, but I can see why people love it for convenience in the summer.  However, I often bodyboard here early in the morning in the summer before the crowds arrive, enjoying the beach and sea to myself! I also jog along the shoreline and use it as a part of my morning hiking routes.

Another favourite thing to do, when the sea is calm enough, is to kayak on our Sup-Yaks from the slip on Towan Headland to Towan Beach, grab some pasties and paddle back!

Newquay Harbour and the town also look really pretty from Towan Beach in the evening when dark. All the lights reflect into the water on the beach.

How To Find Towan Beach in Newquay:

Towan Beach is conveniently located right in the heart of Newquay, making it very easy to find. Here’s how:

Use the postcode TR7 1DU which will take you right to the beach. Use Google Maps for directions.

• By Car: If you’re driving, head towards the centre of Newquay. There are several car parks in close proximity to the beach, including ones on Fore Street, Albany Road, and Manor Road.
• By Train: Newquay train station is about a 20-minute walk from Towan Beach. From the station, walk towards the town centre, and follow signs for the beach.
• By Bus: Numerous bus routes serve Newquay town centre. The bus station is not far from Towan Beach on foot.
• On Foot: If you’re already in Newquay town centre, Towan Beach is easily accessible on foot. Simply head towards the coast from the main shopping streets along Beach Road and along the slope to the beach. It can also be accessed by steps from Killacourt or at low to mid tide, you can come across from Newquay Harbour down steps and across the rocks (suitable for those with good mobility only).