West Cornwall : Carbis Bay

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Carbis Bay is a brilliant location particularly for novice surfers looking to practice. Just up the coast from St Ives it is a huge sand beach, with many shifting peaks that produce surf across the range of the tide and is large enough for you to find some space on your own. There is also a point break that starts working off the headland at the western end of the beach, but only in the really big southwesterly swells. This beach is ideal for novice surfers because of its location. The waves lose a lot of the power of the swell as they wrap into the bay, reducing them down to conditions that are ideal for intermediate and beginner surfers.

The beach is also really well served by a variety of beach facilities including public toilets, beach huts and a café. There is also much to do out of the water - just down the road is the Tate St Ives art gallery plus the St Ives museum and a plethora of pubs in town. Penzance is literally 5 minutes down the road so there is plenty to do after a day at the beach.

Details
Driving Access: Okay - a very steep approach road into the car park
Car Park spaces: 100
Price: Free
Beach facilities: Public toilets, Café, beach huts
Beach type: Sand
Break type: Beach
Pub: Carbis Bay Hotel bar
Sort of wave: Spilling
Peaks: Shifting beach
Left/Right: Both
Offshore wind direction: South easterly
Local highlights: Exploring the town
National Trust: No

Ratings
Ability: Novice - Intermediate
Kids: 1 - Just the beach
Other stuff: 1 - Just the beach
Access: 3 - Short ramp down onto beach
Urban proximity: Close to town
Water quality: Pristine - Blue flag beach

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