North Cornwall

Watergate Bay Beach

Sandy

Yes

Yes

Yes

Seasonal

Cafe Nearby –Family Friendly –Popular –Surfing –Wide Beach

Watergate Bay Beach

Watergate Bay Beach

Watergate Bay Beach

Watergate bay beach

TR8 4AA

Beach Information

All year round

Sandy

Watergate Bay Beach toilets are located near the car park area, and additional facilities are available towards the town center. Toilets are closed during dusk.

Easter School Holidays 01-16 April
Weekend 22-23 April
Daily 29 April-24 September
Weekends and Bank Holidays Only
30 September-15 October
October Half Term 21-29 October
Patrol times 10am – 6pm

Beach is fully accessible to wheelchair users. Main steps to beach rebuilt to aid ambient disabled users

Nearby Beaches

Porth Beach (1.5 Miles)
Mawgan Porth Beach (1.6 Miles)
Lusty Glaze Beach (1.8 Miles)
Tolcarne Beach (2.3 Miles)
Great Western Beach (2.5 Miles)

Nearby Towns

Mawgan Porth (1.5 Miles)
Newquay (2.7 Miles)
Crantock (4.2 Miles)
Holywell Bay (5.9 Miles)
Padstow (8.1 Miles)

Things to do near Watergate Bay Beach

Lucky Elephant Rock (0.8 Miles)
The Cribbar (2.9 Miles)
Bedruthan Steps (2.9 Miles)
Little Fistral Tidal Pools (2.9 Miles)
The Gannel Estuary River (3.7 Miles)

Important Beach Information

A Guide to Jellyfish in Cornwall & Their Stings

Read more

The Easy Way to Cold Water Swim in Cornwall

Read more

What is High Tide & Low Tide?

Read more

Spotted a stranded marine animal?

If you find a live seal, dolphin, whale, or turtle in distress on the beach, keep people and dogs well away and call BDMLR on 01825 765546 for expert help. Please don’t touch, feed, or move the animal.

Please call

your call could save its life.

Proud Supporters of

Watergate Bay Beach

Watergate Bay Beach

Watergate Bay Beach

Watergate bay beach

Important Beach Information

A Guide to Jellyfish in Cornwall & Their Stings

Read more

The Easy Way to Cold Water Swim in Cornwall

Read more

What is High Tide & Low Tide?

Read more

Spotted a stranded marine animal?

If you find a live seal, dolphin, whale, or turtle in distress on the beach, keep people and dogs well away and call BDMLR on 01825 765546 for expert help. Please don’t touch, feed, or move the animal.

Please call

01825 765546

your call could save its life.

Proud Supporters of

Tourist Information

Watergate Bay Beach at low tide is a wide golden sandy beach which backs on to high cliffs and is considered to be one of the best surfing beaches around Newquay with the Atlantic swell coming in. The bonus of this being slightly outside Newquay around 2 miles and at low tide you can still easily find yourself a quiet spot on here. Watergate is popular with surfers but also popular with families as this beach offered a large expanse of sand for activities with the children.

At high tide this vast beach turns to slither of a beach depending on how high the tide is but beware not to get cut off by the tide as its coming in, always check tide times when visiting! Set between Trevelgue & Stem head cliffs this beach is surrounded by some of the best views across to Newquay, its a walkers paradise and with beaches of Porth and Mawgan porth in walking distance it also offers you variety if one of the beaches is a bit busy for your liking.

With the best beaches in Newquay bay there are some surf schools here so if you’re keen to learn then this is the right place depending on how much swell is coming in from the Atlantic. If you get peckish afterwards there are many resteraunts and small food trucks around, if you’re looking for a quick bite to eat and coffee or a full meal after surfing, Watergate Beach will have what you need.

Swimming

Watergate Bay Beach is an ideal spot for swimming during calm days. However, it’s essential to assess the conditions before entering the water. For added safety, consider swimming in pairs or groups and make sure you are within the lifeguards’ view.

Toilets

Watergate Bay Beach toilets are located near the car park area, and additional facilities are available towards the town center. Toilets are closed during dusk.

Rockpools

You and the family can enjoy finding marine life in rockpools at Watergate Bay Beach for sure, the best rockpools uncover at low tide and are filled with creatures from crabs to prawns and even someones fish! The Watergate Bay Beach rockpools are located either the left side or right side of the beach.

Low Tide

Low tide at Watergate Bay Beach is the best time to visit as it opens the beach to a larger expanse of sand making it perfect for family fun. The back of the beach at Watergate Bay Beach is generally quieter and is a great spot to find small rock pools filled with small marine wildlife.

High Tide

High tide at Watergate Bay Beach can cover the entire beach but to be sure there is a beach when you visit a regular tide in Cornwall is around 5.2m to 5.7m but on larger tides especially spring tides you can expect Watergate Bay Beach to be quite dangerous if there are spring tides mixed with bigger waves so please be careful and always check the tide times at Watergate Bay Beach.

Getting here

By Foot

Accessible via coastal path from either Mawgan Porth Beach, Porth Beach or Lusty Glaze Beach area within a short walk away.

By Car

From the A30 near Indian Queens, take the A39 at Highgate Hill roundabout, then the A3059 towards Newquay. Turn right for Watergate Bay, and continue on B3276 for about a mile.

By Bus

Unfortunately due to ever-changing timetables we’re unable you give you the best information for all locations so please check the Cornwall bus timetables near you

Tide Times

Planning a beach day? Don’t forget to check the tide times in Watergate Bay Beach today to make the most of your visit!

23 January 2026

Time	Type	Height
01:51	low	1.05m
07:52	high	6.79m
14:16	low	1.01m
20:09	high	6.43m

24 January 2026

Time	Type	Height
02:29	low	1.21m
08:31	high	6.6m
14:56	low	1.23m
20:50	high	6.21m

View full 7 day tide times.

Copyright 2026 © Tides Today. By using this data, you are agreeing to the Terms and Conditions

Weather Forecast

Be sure to check the Watergate Bay Beach weather forecast ahead of time.

Surf information

Surf Height

Thigh high to 1X Overhead (2-8ft). Consistent and punchy Lefts and Rights across the whole beach.

Board Type

All Board Types.

Tide

Works on all tides, but on high, the far end of the beach is cut off.

Wind Direction

Southeasterlies, Easterlies.

Swell Direction

Northwest, West.

Ability

For all surfers, especially when small. Heavy and unforgiving when big.

Watergate Bay Beach FAQ

Where Is Watergate Bay Beach?

Watergate bay beach is located in North Cornwall near popular town of Newquay.

Is Watergate Bay Beach Dog Friendly?

Yes, dogs are allowed all year round at Watergate bay Beach.

Is There Toilets At Watergate Bay Beach?

Yes, there are public toilets located in between both car parks.

What Is Watergate Bay Beach Postcode?

The postcode for Watergate Bay Beach is TR8 4AD.

Nearby Beaches

North Cornwall

Watergate Bay Beach

Sandy

Yes

Yes

Yes

North Cornwall

Treyarnon Bay Beach

Sandy

Yes

Yes

Yes

North Cornwall

Trevone Bay Beach

Sandy

Seasonal

Yes

Yes

North Cornwall

Towan Beach

Sandy

Yes

Yes

Yes

North Cornwall

Tolcarne Beach

Sandy

Seasonal

Yes

No

North Cornwall

Porthcothan Beach

Sandy

Yes

Yes

Yes

North Cornwall

Porth Beach

Sandy

Seasonal

No

Yes

North Cornwall

Polly Joke Beach

Sandy

Yes

No

No

North Cornwall

Mawgan Porth Beach

Sandy

Yes

Yes

Yes

North Cornwall

Lusty Glaze Beach

Sandy

Yes

Yes

No

Check your travel time to the property

Nearest Locations

Mawgan Porth (1.51 miles)
Newquay (2.73 miles)
Crantock (4.17 miles)
Holywell Bay (5.86 miles)
Padstow (8.13 miles)

Nearest Activities

Lucky Elephant Rock (0.81 miles)
The Cribbar (2.85 miles)
Bedruthan Steps (2.88 miles)
Little Fistral Tidal Pools (2.93 miles)
The Gannel Estuary River (3.73 miles)

Nearest Beaches

Porth Beach (1.47 miles)
Mawgan Porth Beach (1.6 miles)
Lusty Glaze Beach (1.84 miles)
Tolcarne Beach (2.3 miles)
Great Western Beach (2.46 miles)

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