Newquay has several fine sandy beaches; Porth, Tolcarne, Great Western or Bothwick's and Fistral Sands.

Great Western beach took it's name from the Great Western Railway which operated a very lucrative service to Newquay between 1876 and 1960, after which the motor car took over as the major transport mode. In fact the development of Newquay--as elsewhere in the South West--as a tourist destination was very largely due to the Railway company's promotion. To supplement the railway service, the Great Western built a large hotel up on the cliffs, immediately opposite the railway station. Today only 5% of visitors to Newquay arrive by train.

Today Newquay is the biggest and busiest of the Seaside towns in Cornwall with all the `attractions' that go with it. But out of season it is more modest.

A major international surfing competition takes place at Newquay every summer.