Fistral North

The northern half of Britain's best-known surf beach — wide sand, big car park and full facilities, split from Fistral South by the surf-school huts and lifeguard tower in the middle of the bay.

Beach & safety

Water quality: Excellent

Lifeguard: RNLI seasonal lifeguard patrol, Easter to end of October, 10am-6pm daily

Hazards: Strong rip currents are a recurring risk on this exposed Atlantic surf beach; swim only between the flags and be aware of surfers/bodyboarders sharing the water.

Amenities: toilets · cafe · car-park · surf-school · lifeguard

Dogs

Unofficial source: View the supporting source →Not an authority; check current signage.

Family

Excellent facilities (surf school, cafes, toilets, big car park) but a serious, often busy surf beach — better for confident family swimmers/surfers than toddlers.

Fishing

Fistral's clean sand supports surf fishing for bass, dogfish, small-eyed ray and occasional flatfish, while the rocky margins offer summer pollack, wrasse, mackerel and garfish. Fish outside crowded surf and bathing periods, usually on a flooding tide into dusk or after dark.

Species reported: Bass, Lesser-spotted dogfish and small-eyed ray, Pollack and ballan wrasse, Mackerel and garfish

Crabbing

unknown — No protected family line-crabbing zone was verified on the exposed surf beach or northern rocks.

Access & parking

Direct beach access from the Fistral Beach car park and Headland Road. Sat-nav: TR7 1HY. Get directions →