The Harbour Beach for the softest sand of all Newquay beaches, which seems slightly bizarre as it’s not getting the constant pounding from the huge Atlantic Ocean waves that the other beaches do. The sand on Newquay Harbour Beach sand just feels like pure silk between your toes.
Although there is a beach at the Harbour in Newquay, it is a working harbour and as such you can expect some dead crabs to be floating about in the water and there are a number of ropes and chains to negotiate where the boats are tied and anchored. Fishing has declined in recent years, with the EU fishing quotas cutting back – and even paying some fishermen to not fish.
When the fishing boats come in, you’ll usually see them accompanied by Newquay Harbour seals – and the Newquay Harbour seals even have their own website! The seals in Newquay Harbour will swim around the harbour area and the fishing and pleasure boats for a couple of hours, hoping they’ll be thrown some fish – you can often see the seals playing together in the water too, tumbling and play fighting. Although these are fun to watch, be careful as they are wild animals, so don’t be tempted to try to join them in their watery fun, or to stroke them.
The New Harbour Cafe, is a great seafood restaurant set on the sand on the Harbour Beach. Serving fresh seafood direct from the boat, this is an upmarket outlet, with a menu that’s mainly seafood-based, although in peak season they also have an outside BarBQ
There is very limited parking at Newquay Harbour and you will usually have to get there early to get a slot. If there are any events on (gig rowing championships or Newquay fish festival) then the entire car park’s closed and used by the event.
Apart from the New Harbour restaurant, you can buy hot pasties at Newquay Rowing Club, or there’s an ice cream van to be found parked by quayside entrance. Above the Harbour itself, the Harbour Hotel will serve sandwiches and cream teas, or you can enjoy a pub lunch in The Fort, which is directly above the Harbour Beach and enjoys panoramic sea views over Newquay Bay.
A number of fishing trips are run out of Newquay Harbour – you’ll see the row of booking huts next to the public conveniences at the side of the car park. You can take a speedboat ride or go shark or mackeral fishing.
There are no lifeguards on Harbour Beach – it is not ideal for swimming, although families are usually quite happy to let their younger children splash about at the water’s edge. It is a safe beach for this as the water isn’t far away and there are no waves to knock children over.
Services on Harbour Beach, Newquay
- Car Parking: Yes, unless there’s an event on at the Harbour, there’s a small pay and display car park at the Harbour.
- Public Lavatories: Yes
- Easy Access for Wheelchairs and Prams: Yes, if you’re parking at the Harbour, else the road slope could be tricky
- Food Available: Yes, hot pasties at Newquay Rowing Club, or a BarBQ or food available at the restaurant. Or, trek up the hill to the chip shop or Sainsburys.
Events at Newquay Harbour
Throughout the year there are a number of gig rowing, RNLI and food events held at the Harbour, often with accompanying food stalls, etc.
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Where to Stay Near to Newquay Harbour
The Harbour Hotel overlooks Newquay Harbour, with a set of steps leading directly down to the Harbour Beach.
Alternatively, why not enjoy stunning, panormatic views over the Harbour and other Newquay beaches from a self-catering apartment, with good parking and wifi at Harbour View Holiday Apartments. These are modern, high end apartments ideal for 4-6 people.
Buy Old Postcards of Newquay Harbour
Product listing
2 John Hinde Postcards of Cornwall. 1. The Harbour, Newquay 2 Penzance
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Beaches in Newquay
Photography by: Darren Rossen
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