Your Beach. Found: Fistral
This week, we’re at Fistral Beach – Cornwall’s most iconic surf spot and a place where salt spray fills the air, sunsets stop you in your tracks, and the beat of the waves seems to sync with the energy onshore. Here, beach life is vibrant and full of fun, backed by a long stretch of golden sand framed by two rugged headlands. Yet its impressive size at low tide means you’ll always find a space to stretch out, find a secluded sunbathing spot or walk beneath the gorse-lined cliffs.
Come with us as we explore…
- Sea-view dining and sundowners
- Surf and shopping
- Beach sauna sessions
- Clifftop walks
- Yoga on the sand
- Where to stay in Fistral
Surf, sand and atmosphere
Down on the shoreline, seasoned surfers paddle out at dawn and beginners dip their toes into the Atlantic for the first time. The beach is wide and west-facing, catching both swell and sunsets, and on summer evenings the sound of live music drifts from the beachfront bar while the last wave riders rinse off under the outdoor showers.
With surf festivals, yoga on the beach and an addictive assortment of food and drink, Fistral is a beach you’ll come back to time and time again.
Food with a view
Fuel up on a post-surf brunch by heading to the quieter southern end of the beach towards Sea Spray Café. Here, pancake stacks, avo toast and Cornish rancheros are served with a sea view and sandy feet are welcome.
If you fancy something local and independent, The Fish House is a must—a relaxed yet refined spot that serves up fresh seafood straight from the shore.
Head chef Paul Harwood has spent years refining the menu and The Fish House has established its place amongst the best seafood restaurants in Cornwall, winning many awards and featuring in the Michelin Guide with a Michelin Plate.
At the main beach complex, grab a bite at Rick Stein’s Fish & Chips, opt for pizza at The Stable, or settle in at the Boardmasters Beach Bar downstairs – one of the best spots in Cornwall for a sundowner.
With a drink in hand and your skin still sandy, watch the sky melt into colour as the sun dips behind the Atlantic.
Stroll out to the clifftops and enjoy a glass of wine or a warming cup of tea at Lewinnick Lodge, perched on Pentire Headland.
Further along the headland, you get a sweeping view of Fistral on one side and the curve of Crantock Beach on the other.
Beyond the beach
Walk towards Towan Headland, where you’ll pass Little Fistral, a smaller, more sheltered cove often missed by visitors.
From there, climb to the white lookout hut perched high above the rocks for panoramic views of the coastline.
Nearbly, you’ll find the old lifeboat slip and The Porthole, a small window in the old lifeboat building showcasing artworks by painter Nicholas Williams.
Back on the beach, the Olla Hiki wood-fired sauna pop-up brings a Nordic-inspired edge to Fistral, here until the end of June.
Time your visit with high tide and hop between the waves and the pine-scented heat. Inside, the panoramic sauna window frames the beachfront perfectly – book at sunset for the ultimate experience.
Nearby yoga studio Ocean Flow Yoga hosts regular beach and clifftop yoga sessions. Stretch with the sound of waves as your soundtrack and sea breeze on your skin.
Stay close to the shore
Find a Fistral stay where you can sleep seconds from the sea and wake to the sound of waves. Wander barefoot for coffee, take a surf lesson before lunch, and settle in for a sunset to remember.
Your Beach. Found
Your beach is the one that has just what you’re looking for: sandcastle sand, shoreline strolls, sunset surfs or sunrise swims. Find your beach with the Beach Match Quiz and then enter our competition to win a stay there.
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