Explore | Beaches | Newquay Harbour
It isn’t all about the beaches in Newquay, there’s also a pretty harbour that could rival those found in the Mediterranean.
This bustling fishing port is a wonderful place to just sit and watch the comings and goings of the many boats, and a white sandy shoreline makes this a popular choice with local families to while away a day. The towering harbour walls also protect this pretty spot from the elements and due to this sheltered safe haven, the harbour is home to a friendly seal known locally as ‘Sammy’. The water here is shallow and perfect to let children roam free, splashing in the turquoise waters and building sand castles to their heart’s content. With no waves to contend with here, this is a favoured place for cold water sea swims, relaxed paddle boarding and boat-based adventures.
🐾 Dog friendly (year-round)
♿️ Accessible
🅿️ Parking
🍴Food & drink
🚾 Toilets
If an adventure is what you’re looking for, jump aboard a boat to view Newquay’s breathtaking coastline from the sea, head out for a sealife safari day trip, or for more adrenaline fuelled action, hop onto one of the speed boats and hold on tight.
Reach beaches that are only accessible via the water, spot wildlife or turn your hand to fishing; during the summer months, there are many different boat trips to choose from such as sea safaris, mackerel fishing and even shark spotting trips. All guarantee an up close and personal experience with marine wildlife including dolphins, sunfish, harbour porpoise and even basking sharks on occasion. To choose a trip and find out departure times, please pop down to the harbour during your stay.
The harbour has been home to Newquay’s RNLI Lifeboat Station for nearly 80 years.
Operating in all weather conditions, over the years the crews have received several awards for gallantry and operate two inshore lifeboats called The Gladys Mildred and Enid Mary. Called out to situations all along the North Cornwall coast, the dedicated team rescue individuals, boats and other water vessels that find themselves in difficulty or need a helping hand in times of distress. The crew are made up of a committed band of volunteers, many of which operate their own fishing vessels from the harbour. Every year, an RNLI Lifeboat Day takes place to raise awareness and crucial funding for this charity, please see our events page for details and dates.
The harbour has seen many changes throughout the years, starting as a simple wooden structure.
In 1439, the Bishop of Exeter granted permission to build a stone key where the harbour now stands, this was known as the ‘new quay’ which produced the origin of Newquay’s name. Later, in 1833, London investor Richard Lomax began the construction of the north quay, shortly followed by the south quay. Sadly, he died in 1837 and never saw the harbour as a completed project. In 1838, the harbour was purchased by Joseph Treffry, an industrialist from Fowey. He built a tunnel stretching from the harbour up to what is now Sainsbury’s car park, inside which, tracks for wagons were installed to easily haul goods up and down. The harbour was used to export china clay from the pits in St Austell as well as iron ore, grain and coal. In 1870, the central jetty was constructed to increase the amount of space available for loading: this was linked to the south quay by a wooden trestle bridge that carried a railway line. To the north of the harbour, there are fish cellars carved into the stone (the Fly Cellars), the remains of these can still be seen today and were used for keeping fish cool, salting and packing.
Seafood doesn’t come any fresher than on the menus of the restaurants that surround the harbour! Choose from pubs, fine dining restaurants or during the summer months, pull up a chair and enjoy street food on the beach. At high tide, the harbour is one of the best places to dine, settle in with a glass of wine as the sea gently laps the shore and enjoy the sun set.
Local food & drink
The harbour has a small amount of parking located next to the quay. During the busy summer months, it’s difficult to find a space and generally best to avoid the narrow lane that descends to the harbour due to the amount of boats being hauled up and down! Instead, park in one of the many Cornwall Council car parks that surround Newquay town and wander down the hill or steps to the harbour. Please note, the steps and hill that lead to the harbour are very steep.
