Taking a dip on New Year’s Day is a time honoured tradition. And we’ve had our fair share of cold water and frozen toes on January 1st. Looking for the perfect spot? We’ve got the 8 best places for a New Year’s Day dip in Cornwall.
Safety Tips for First-Time Dippers
Before you take the plunge, make sure to prioritise safety. Check the tide times and weather conditions to avoid dangerous swells or strong currents, and always choose a beach with lifeguard presence or a well-organised event. If you’re swimming alone, let someone know your plans, and never go too far from the shore.
Cold water can be a shock to the system, so enter gradually to allow your body to adjust, and avoid staying in for more than a few minutes. Hypothermia can set in quickly, so listen to your body and get out as soon as you feel numbness or discomfort.
Our 8 Favourite places for a New Year’s Day dip in Cornwall 6
Credit: MJFotosCornwall
What to Bring for Your First Dip
- Wetsuit or swimwear (plus gloves and swim shoes for added warmth)
- Thick towel to dry off quickly
- Warm, dry clothing to layer on afterward (hat, scarf, and socks included)
- Thermos of hot tea, coffee, or soup to warm up from the inside
- Waterproof bag for wet clothes
- Flip-flops or easy-to-slip-on shoes for sandy or wet conditions
- Phone or camera to capture the moment
- Snacks for post-dip energy
- A friend or buddy for safety and fun!
Practical Tips for an Enjoyable Experience
Preparation is key to making your first New Year’s Day dip a memorable one. Wear a wetsuit if you’re not used to cold water or bring gloves and swim shoes for extra warmth.
Have a thick towel and plenty of warm, dry clothing ready to layer on afterward, and pack a thermos of hot tea or soup to heat up from the inside out. Arrive early to secure parking and take in the festive atmosphere. Most importantly, embrace the chill, enjoy the camaraderie, and don’t forget to snap a picture to capture the moment!
Harlyn Bay
One of Cornwall’s Seven Bays, Harlyn Bay is a gorgeous tucked away beach. Every year on New Year’s Day the town of Harlyn Beach pours onto the sand around midday for their dip in the bay’s wintery waters, before warming up with a coffee from their beachfront cafe or retreating into town for some tasty food.
Our 8 Favourite places for a New Year’s Day dip in Cornwall 7
Newquay Harbour
Newquay is well known for its surfing culture and rolling waves at Fistral, but it’s also famous for its New Years Day dip. The harbour beach known as ‘Towan Beach’ is packed with swimmers and spectators alike to raise money for a worthy cause. For their 2025 dip, they’ll be raising money for CLIC Fundraising Group, so join the crowd at Newquay Harbour and make your dip count.
Gyllyngvase Beach
Gyllyngvase Beach is a gorgeous beach in Falmouth hosts their dip every New Year, welcoming locals and visitors to the water to celebrate together. The dip usually starts around noon, so start your morning with some quality cosy time at the Falmouth cafes before you make your way to the beach. It’s a wonderful community feeling at Gyllyngvase beach, so join in!
Gorran Haven Beach
Located near the edge of St Austell Bay, Gorran Haven Beach is a cosy little spot with that proper Cornish feel. They host a New Year’s Day swim every January 1st, and have the wonderfully named Mermaid Cafe ready and waiting for you to get warm after the water. If your dog’s on a lead then bring them along for some strolling along the sand once you’re all toasty again.
Gorran haven beach
Looe Beach
Each year at 11am, Looe Beach hosts a New Year’s Day swim to raise money in support of RNLI. Like Newquay, hundreds of people show up to take their dip or show their love for the cause, and often in fancy dress too. It’s a celebration of the RNLI, the beautiful beach itself, and a surefire way to wake yourself up on the right side of the new year.
Readymoney Cove, Fowey
Ready Money cove in Fowey offers a more low-key dip, with cool shallow waters and a gentler wave. The crowds are smaller and local focused, as people come to the beach for their swim and head back out for a comforting drink in one of Fowey’s pubs. If you’re looking for an annual event but a little more hidden away, this one’s for you.
Jubilee Pool or Bude Sea Pool
Not so keen on the ocean? Jubilee Pool in Penzance is a geothermal salt water pool ready for their very own New Year’s Day swim this year at 11am. Their cafe will be open from 10am to 2pm to welcome you out of the water, so you can take your dip and head straight for a coffee or hot chocolate. A jump start to the new year in a whole new way.
Bude Sea Pool offers the perfect mix of natural beauty and sheltered waters. Nestled at Summerleaze Beach, this tidal pool provides a bracing but gentler swim, making it a great option for families or first-timers.
Managed by the Friends of Bude Sea Pool, it’s free to use, with donations welcome to support its upkeep. After your dip, enjoy a stroll along the beach or head into Bude for a warming drink. A refreshing way to kick off the year!
bude natural sea pool
Natural Tidal Pools
For a safer and family-friendly New Year’s Day dip, Cornwall’s tidal pools offer a perfect alternative to open water. Porthtowan has a natural tidal pool at the northern end of the beach, ideal for little ones to paddle and splash in calmer waters. Over in Mousehole, the charming harbour creates a sheltered pool when the tide is right, making it great for families looking to avoid bigger waves. Chapel Rock at Perranporth features a lovely tidal pool at its base, perfect for a fun and safe dip with the kids.
Remember to check tide times before heading out, as these pools are best enjoyed during low tide when they’re fully exposed. A wonderful way to enjoy the water and welcome the new year!
mousehole rock pool
