Cornwall Surf Camp For Women

Some nights / From £0000 Book now

Unlike other surf camps, this trip will be tailored to suit your needs and abilities. Your team of all female, local instructors will deliver coaching in a no-pressure, supportive environment so you have fun and build confidence while learning.

Why choose to go surfing in Cornwall?

Newquay is the surf capital of the UK, so there’s no better place to discover surfing. With five stunning beaches and year-round swell there’s waves for every ability. This buzzing surf town has laid-back vibes and tons to explore; cute cafes, a great food scene, independent shops and stunning coastal scenery.

What to expect

With Women + Waves everything is organised for you; five days of ocean surfing, a session at a ground-breaking in-land surf pool, expert instructors who are also qualified lifeguards and a stunning apartment. These trips are fully insured and have received over 350 5-star reviews from customers so you can be sure of being in safe hands.

Who’s this course for?

This girls-only surf trip is suitable for everyone - beginner, progressor and low intermediate surfers. We provide as much support as you need to overcome any barriers. Everyone is welcome, 90% of participants arrive solo and over 40% are over forty; so there’s nothing to stop you becoming the surfer you always dreamed of.

What level am I?

Cultural Secrets

Cornwall is the home of surfing in the UK - this spectacular peninsula offers stunning coastlines, golden beaches, waves for every ability, hidden coves and diverse sea life just waiting to be discovered.

When to go

Cornwall, in September enjoys the warmest air and sea temperatures in the UK, but without the high-summer crowds. Long, balmy days allow you to surf unti late enjoying fun consistent waves perfect for upping your surf game.

Quick facts

Water Temp

18°C

Climate

18 - 20°C

Wave Types

Beach breaks

Language

English

Accommodation

Your Cornwall Surf Camp includes luxurious accommodation, with two modern and spacious ocean view apartments to choose from. Both offer twin-bed accommodation exclusively to the ladies on your trip. Please see full details on the accommodation section.

Show all photos Cornwall surf accommodation

What people say

"I've been trying to surf for years now, and felt stuck as many of us holiday surfers do. But I went on a W+W weekend and I can't believe how far I've come after just one weekend surrounded by such a supportive, fun and kind group of women. "

Alexia

"Just completed the progressors weekend in Newquay and it was the best! Maya was such a good instructor with the best energy, and all the other gals pushing us into waves and hyping us up are so lovely! Had the best surf conditions, and was surrounded by supportive women.. honestly, what could be better?!"

Emily

"I've been trying to learn to surf for years and have taken lessons with a variety of different surf schools, but Women + Waves has hands down been the best experience I've had! The team members were so dedicated to making sure you came away with more confidence and a positive experience. They help you set goals and meet them, and have an amazing time in the process! The all-women environment is extremely supportive, and I left with not only a new set of skills in the water but new surfing friends!"

Sarah

"Once again had the best time (5th time with W+W)! As ever, really well organised, slick, pressure-free fun, with a bunch of like-minded women. Coaches were awesome, great tuition, tailored for maximum progression. Sarah, the photographer never fails to get the coolest shots - no idea how she does it, she captures everything, in such great quality! Thanks again, feeling stoked!"

Hattie

Itinerary

Please note, sometimes we need to be flexible as some activities will be weather and condition dependent – but don’t worry, we’ll always do our very best to ensure you get the very best out of the trip! All our surf days and suggested activities are completely optional – you can enjoy as much or as little as you desire. This is not a boot camp!

Day one - Arrival Day

Welcome to Newquay, the surf capital of the UK! Get ready to join your new salty sisters for a seven-night surfing extravaganza filled with amazing waves, vibrant surf culture, delicious Cornish pasties, and laid-back vibes.
Check-in is from 3 pm, marking the official start of your surf camp adventure. You'll be greeted at your apartment and given a tour before having some time to settle in and
freshen up.
At 6 pm, join your new surf camp crew for a relaxed welcome dinner at The Harbour. The rest of the evening is yours to unwind, soak in the laid-back atmosphere, get to know the rest of the group, and start sharing the stoke for the surf days ahead.

For more information on arrival, please refer to the travel section.

Day two - AM

Today is the day your surf coaching begins! The day kicks off with the entire group gathering in the morning to set your surf goals for the camp using your bespoke Women + Waves logbooks. Once goals are set, you'll discuss plans to achieve them down at the beach. Every day your instructors will assess the ocean conditions. Based on their judgement, they'll choose the best beach with the perfect waves for your skill level. With five beaches within walking distance of Newquay town centre, you’re always spoilt for choice! You’ll be allocated your surfing equipment and then head to the beach, diving straight into the ocean for your first surf lesson with your trip leader and the team.
The Women + Waves team will help you pick up skills from the get-go, ensuring you have a fantastic time all while being safe and supported in the water.

Day two - PM

The Women + Waves team will help you pick up skills from the get-go, ensuring you have a fantastic time all while being safe and supported in the water.
After the surf session, you'll head back for lunch and your first video analysis and surf theory session. Watching videos and reviewing photos of your surfing is crucial for progress. You'll receive valuable feedback from the coaches and encouragement from your new surf friends.
Plus, surf theory to start building your knowledge and confidence in the ocean.
In the evening, you can join the group for an optional relaxing coastal walk, taking in the beautiful scenery and views of the rugged Newquay coastline at sunset, before heading to a well-deserved dinner and drinks at the luxurious Watergate Bay Hotel. Where you’ll enjoy a delicious feast with spectacular views over the glorious Watergate Bay beach.

Day three - AM

After your first full day of surfing, your muscles might be feeling a bit tight, so you start the day with surf-inspired stretches to limber you up for the next round.
Then it’s straight into the ocean for your next surf lesson. You'll be applying the tips and techniques picked up from the previous days video analysis, with your coaches in the water to assist you and offer help and advice as you go.

After surfing, you'll head back to the classroom for lunch and another video analysis session, where you’ll begin to see your significant improvements. You’ll celebrate your
achievements, laugh at the inevitable wipeouts and start to visualise the next level of progress. Surf theory will also cover the next steps for independent surfing, plus Q&As for
any questions you have about surfing etiquette, line-ups or any other aspect of surfing that you’d like to know more about.

Day three - PM

Later, you can join an optional Surf Skate coaching session. Led by your expert coaches, you'll enjoy a fun workshop exploring the joys of surf skating. This fantastic activity is the best way to improve your surfing skills on land, and it's great fun to learn you’ll be provided with all the gear you need, just show up and enjoy!
In the evening, you’ll gather for a delicious group dinner at The Stable, one of the best pizza joints in town, where you dine looking over Fistral Beach, spend the evening laughing over wipeouts and cheering each other's epic rides.

Day four - AM

A new day brings another surf session. During your third lesson, you’ll focus on refining your technique and building on the feedback from the previous day's video analysis and surf theory. Your bespoke one to one coaching will help you address any challenges, working with you to troubleshoot solutions and dramatically improve your surfing skills. You'll then head back to the classroom for lunch, followed by your surf theory and video analysis lesson. This follow-up session allows you to review your surfing while the waves you caught are still fresh in your memory, helping you to learn, progress, celebrate your
achievements, and identify areas for improvement. Watching both your own surfing and that of others will help you visualise the next steps in your progression. And don't
worry—there will be plenty of wipeouts to bond over!

Day four - PM

After lunch and some free time to relax, you’ll head out for a stand-up paddleboard session. Whether you're new to paddleboarding or have tried it before, your instructors will guide you throughout, allowing you to relax and enjoy exploring the Cornish coastline from the water. You’ll have the chance to see some amazing local wildlife from a unique perspective. In the evening, you can rejoin your surfing crew for a relaxed dinner at the Lewinnick Lodge, where you’ll be awe-struck by the dreamy vista of Pentire Headland and south Fistral Beach. After your final spoon of a well-earned dessert, you’ll be ready for a good night’s sleep!

Day five

Day five begins with another invigorating surf lesson. Dive back into the waves and continue building on your progress. After five consecutive days of surfing, you'll start to see the benefits of your time with Women + Waves—some aspects of your surfing will just click into place, and muscle memory will begin to form. Your instructors will be there the entire time, monitoring your progression and providing personalised feedback to address any challenges.
The afternoon offers some well-deserved free time. You can relax and enjoy Newquay’s many beaches or join a surf shop tour for a fun exploration of the independent surf shops and boutiques. If shopping isn’t your thing, there are plenty of great coffee shops where you can unwind with delicious coffee and cake.
It’s been a busy week so far! This evening, you can relax and enjoy a group dinner or take some time for yourself to recharge for the next day.

Day six

Today starts a little differently with a guided sea swim. There are so many benefits of cold water swimming both for your physical and mental well-being, and it’s your turn to
experience the rejuvenating effects of a sea dip at our favourite dipping spot! After this refreshing start, we’ll reconvene at one of our favourite cafes for a group breakfast, fuelling up for a new day of surfing. After breakfast, it’s time to gear up for your second surf skating session. Build on the techniques you learned at the beginning of the week and discover how to apply them to your surfing. Then it’s time to relax, grab some lunch and receive some pre-training for your trip to The Wave (artificial surf lake) in Bristol the following day. You can chill and prepare for your session the following day which is when, in our experience, you will often put in your best-ever surfing performance.
This is the perfect opportunity to ask any final burning questions and soak up every bit of your instructor's hard-earned knowledge. The day concludes with a relaxed evening of free time. You’ve earned it!

Lady surfing at the Wave wavepool, Bristol

Day seven

On day seven, you'll be up early to travel to Bristol for an extraordinary experience at The Wave Bristol, one of the modern wonders of the world. This groundbreaking inland wave pool offers perfect, non-stop peeling waves, providing an ideal setting to perfect your surfing technique. As always your instructors will be there to guide you and capture your session on video. You’ll have an instructor in the water with you to make sure you are supported every step of the way. As always, you’ll have a post-surf session video analysis and surf theory workshop. This final session will allow you to receive last-minute feedback, reflect on your surfing goals, and gather tips on how to continue your surfing journey independently. The final night of your surf camp has arrived. You could catch one final sunset on the coast with your new group of surfing sisters.

Day eight

Farewell to an epic Cornwall Surf Camp! After an incredible week at Women + Waves’ Newquay Surf Camp, it’s time to say goodbye. Departure from the accommodation is by 11
am, allowing you time for a relaxing morning before you head off. You’ll leave with new surf skills, amazing memories, and a newfound confidence in your abilities. As a part of the Women + Waves community, the support of like-minded women continues even after the camp ends. We hope to welcome you back again in the future!

What’s included

The Cornwall Surf Camp includes 7 nights of accommodation in a shared twin room. We have two beautifully appointed, modern and spacious apartments available, both offering twin-bed accommodation exclusively to women on our retreat. Both of our apartments are like a home away from home, so what better place to stay than with your tribe of fellow saltwater lovers? Please note this camp is self catering. No food is included in the price. Sunset View Apartment on Pentire Headland Location:

5 minute walk from South Fistral Beach
5 minute walk from the glorious Gannel Estuary
Close to Crantock Beach, which can be easily accessed on foot at low tide

Our first apartment overlooks Pentire Headland and benefits from plenty of natural light. This two twin-bedroom property is in one of the most peaceful spots in Newquay, just minutes from both Fistral and Crantock Beach. It’s also really close to the Gannel Estuary which is a stunning paddle boarding or swimming spot, and one of Newquays hidden gems. Even though it’s surrounded by nature, Sunset View Apartment is still close enough to Newquay Town Centre for a bite to eat in the evening, or a spot of retail therapy. It’s the best of both worlds. Sunset View Apartment is all about the stunning ocean views. It has a spacious, open-plan kitchen diner with a Juliet balcony that enjoys morning sunshine. It’s a great kitchen to cook in, and if you want to knock up a post-surf feast you can enjoy it around the large communal dining table. There are three bedrooms, one of which has a south facing balcony, another a south facing juliet balcony. Bedrooms have a set of twin beds, a chest of drawers, bedside table etc. One has an en-suite with a bath, shower and toilet. There is also a separate bathroom and WC. All bedrooms have stunning sea views. Newquay Bay Apartment on Fore Street Location:

2 minute walk from Towan Beach & Newquay Harbour
5 minute walk from Great Western Beach
Located right above Newquay Activity Centre for maximum convenience

The second location is our Newquay Bay Apartment. This apartment is located above the Newquay Activity Centre HQ. It is a modern, quiet, two twin-bedroom property that was completely refurbished in 2021. There’s a lovely kitchen as well as a new bathroom with an enormous shower. The apartment is a short walk from Newquay Harbour where you’ll find one of our favourite wild swimming spots. Just a few steps in any direction, you’ll find an abundance of coffee shops, restaurants and surf shops – you’re right in the heart of it all. The property comprises a spacious living room/diner complete with sofa bed and new 52” TV. There is a sizable dining table perfect for studying or hosting meals. The bedrooms are both twin rooms with zip-link beds; easily connectable for private or couple rooms. Both rooms have wardrobes, drawers, bedsides and reading lights. The living room benefits from large windows with excellent sea views. There is also a large courtyard, perfect for catching rays or drying wetsuits.

A minimum of 5 days of professional surf coaching delivered by a local instructor team.
Personalised, bespoke tip and feedback to help you achieve your goals.
Your expert team will assess conditions and locations every evening for the day ahead, to ensure you get the chance to surf the best available waves. We are experienced at forecasting and know how this translates to the conditions on the beach, so we may change the session times or locations throughout the week, to ensure you get access to the best available waves that Cornwall has to offer each day
Whatever your ability level, you’ll have a clear path of progression throughout the week.
Your instructors will give on-land and in-water demonstrations, and break skills and sequences down, move-by-move, to help you finesse the delicate details of the sport.
Your coaches will also, at times, surf alongside you to build your confidence, help you with wave selection, and give you pointers in the moment.

One intermediate session at The Wave in Bristol.
This session offers unhindered rides on perfect, unbroken waves. These waves have more power and you catch them before they break, giving you a chance to practise your take-off, turning and enjoy longer, faster rides. You’ll also develop paddle strength and board control as you paddle back to the take-off zone.
Before your first session, you will receive a pre-surf training video analysis and an explanation of how to get the best out of your session. After your session, we’ll go through the video footage and offer feedback and analysis to help you improve.
You’ll get to keep the footage, so get ready to show it off to all your friends and family back home!

Every day your surfing sessions will be filmed by a photographer on the beach or a member of the team in-water with the Go-Pro.
These photos and videos will be used for your personalised video analysis feedback sessions to fast-track progression. The opportunity to analyse footage of yourself is one of the most useful ways to learn, as it increases your self-awareness, and helps you visualise your performance.
You’ll have access to all of these photographs and videos after the weekends via oureasy-to-use online gallery.

Two Surf Skating sessions are included in the trip (all safety kit and surf skateboards are supplied).
Your trip leader delivers this in a super fun session, and we guarantee to have you skating by the end of it.
Learn this powerful and fun sport which is taking the surf community by storm.
Surf skating is an invaluable tool to develop the dynamic body movements you require during surfing. It helps you improve your balance, generate speed and navigate through turns.
Our instructors will deliver a series of drills that enable you to practise toe and heel control, opening your shoulders and using your arms to draw clean lines through your turns.
These workshops will increase your time spent on a board simulating these manoeuvres.
Which in turn, will increase your balance, strengthen your muscle memory and increase your rate of progression on a surfboard.

Even though your schedule will be action-packed with surfing activities, there will still be free time for you to enjoy the wealth of other activities Newquay and Cornwall has to offer, such as:

Paddleboarding down the Gannel River estuary (Included)
Wild swimming (Included)
Snorkelling in crystal clear waters
Stomping a section of the stunning South West Coast Path
Relaxing in a spa
Listening to live music
Retail therapy in Newquay’s independant surf stores

Please note that there is an additional charge for some of these activities.

Travel

Arrive and settle in at the apartment for check-in at 3 pm, marking the official start of the trip.

The camp concludes officially at 11 am with checkout.

Newquay is a 15-minute drive from the A30, which links to the M5. The centre is based near Towan and Fistral Beach. You’ll receive detailed information before your arrival, including parking instructions and maps.

The Newquay Railway Station is in the town centre, a short taxi ride to the accommodation.

We’re a 20-minute drive from Newquay Airport. You can fly into Newquay from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Dublin, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Flights are also available from key European cities.

There may be times when the best waves in Cornwall need driving to, so we may sometimes load up the van with the surfboards and travel to the waves. On the last day you’ll drive up to The Wave in Bristol (Just over a 3 hour drive away). We try to maximise sustainability by carpooling. Please contribute a pound or two to car parks and fuel if you are sharing a car with another guest.

Take a closer look

Show all photos Cornwall coastline

Dates and prices

Date
29th August - 5th September 2026

From £999

Book now

FAQs

We offer 4 easy ways to pay!

1. Pay In Full – Pay the full amount in one, that’s it your done! (Available online)

2. 50/50 – Pay a 50% deposit and the remaining 50% 12 weeks before the trip starts. (Available online)

3. Payment Plan – Pay an initial deposit and the rest in instalments! (Contact us using our online chat or email us for this option)

4. Shop now. Pay over time with Klarna (Contact us using our online chat or email us for this option)

We can’t guarantee your place until we receive payment (in full or a deposit). Once you have made a payment, you’ll then be sent a trip confirmation email.

Klarna's Pay in 3 / Pay in 30 days are unregulated credit agreements. Borrowing more than you can afford or paying late may negatively impact your financial status and ability to obtain credit. 18+, UK residents only. Subject to status. Ts&Cs and late fees apply.

Due to this trip being in high demand and having limited spaces, we can only hold your space for 24 hours without payment.

Yes definitely! We pride ourselves on being super welcoming and friendly. Most of our guests arrive solo and leave with friends for life.

Yes, we can arrange for you to extend your stay. You may want to consider our Private 1 to 1 lessons before or after the retreat as well. Give us a call on +44 (0) 1637 226017 and we can discuss in further detail.

If you wish to bring a non-surfing partner with you that is fine. Partners are welcome to join our evening meals, excursions etc. We recommend that you organise your own accommodation. Give us a call if you’d like a hand with that.

FOOD, DRINKS & SHOPPING: You’ll receive a discount card for Rip Curl and local bars, coffee shops and eateries. There are lots of restaurants and cafes in Newquay if you want to eat out, there are a range of budgets to suit, but most main meals will fall in to the £12-15 range Newquay has several large supermarkets within walking distance of the apartments TRANSPORT: We sometimes load up the van and go in search of the best waves in Cornwall. On the last day we’ll drive up to The Wave in Bristol (Just over a 3 hour drive away). We try to maximise sustainability by carpooling. Please contribute a pound or two to car parks and fuel if you are sharing a car with another guest.

You’ll be asked to fill in an enrolment form as part of the booking process. You’ll signify which level of surfer you are. You may be in different groups suited to your ability. However, there will be plenty of time to see each other back at camp and during our social times.

We choose the time of year and location for our events based on local knowledge and historical swell data. In the event of flat waves or stormy conditions, we will offer alternative activities to help you get the most out of the ocean conditions. This may include stand up paddleboarding, coasteering, kayaking or other coastal activities. We may adjust the format of the week. For example, choosing to run more sessions when the waves are at their best. With Cornwall having two coasts and there being 7 beaches in Newquay alone is very, very unlikely that we won’t be able to find a ride able wave each day of the retreat. Please view our T&Cs for more information.

With decades of experience and knowledge within our team, we pick the best dates that the surf conditions are most consistent and will be most suitable for the group. We’ll send you a brief predicted forecast in the pre-trip pack on the run up to the trip. We choose Newquay due to the huge variety of beaches. The beautiful long sandy beaches offer peaks for all abilities; the skill is to know which is best on the tide and wind conditions that are on offer. That’s where our local guides are worth their weight in gold. We pride ourselves in having you in the right place for the best waves for your ability each weekend.

Before booking please take a look at our surfing level in the boxes above. If during the trip you would benefit from changing groups your instructor will organise for you to move, no problem! Please be aware, we pride ourselves on coaching everybody as an individual, so you will always receive individual feedback throughout each session.

We do our best to include as many female instructors and team members as possible and are always recruiting the best female coaches in the industry. However we do occasionally call upon our male experts such as 3 x British Champion Alan Stokes to explain how he overcame his fears and built his surfing confidence. All our Women + Waves staff are not only suitably qualified by the relevant governing body but all undergo extensive in-house training.

We do not offer a discount for bringing your own equipment.

If you are under 18 we will need to chat to you on the phone and you will need to be accompanied on the trip by a parent or guardian throughout the weekend (they don’t have to participate). If you are 65 or over we’d love to chat to you about the weekend before you book. Please email us to arrange a time and we’ll contact you. Or you can call us on +44 (0) 1637 226017

Please inform our coaching staff of any medical complaints or conditions prior to your trip. We’ll ask for travel insurance details when you book, so please organise this as soon as possible. Travel insurance needs to cover you for medical issues, cancellations and baggage. We’ll also ask you to fill out an enrolment form with these details before the holiday. Please read our helpful blog post about travel insurance.

We are a UK based company that delivers trips all over the world welcoming travellers of all nationalities.

Yes! This is a scenario that we are very familiar with. Why not make a family break of this surf retreat? You can join the retreat each day while the rest of your family enjoy Newquay. Please contact us if you need a hand organising accommodation. Book early to avoid disappointment and get the best prices.

You will be sent your pre-arrival information on the run up to the trip. We will send you the meeting time and location in your pre-weekend information pack.

We choose our fave coastal restaurants because of the range of great menu options that they have available. All dietary requirements are catered for.

We finish on Saturday morning. You can check out of your accommodation by 11 am and head home from there.

Yes, we have a full range of hire equipment that we can present to you and recommend the most suitable board for you to progress on.

No, we have a great mix of all ages. Surfing shows no age boundaries. We welcome whippersnappers to silver surfers and everything in between.

After meeting on the first Sunday of the trip, we’ll explain how this works.

Yes! Several women bring their dogs on our Newquay coaching retreats. There are a number of dog friendly accommodation options in the area. Some leave their dog in their van whilst they surf. Alternatively, you can organise for a dog sitter to look after your four-legged friend.

If you’re based outside the UK and want to chat through the trip details, you can contact us on our online chat.

If your circumstances change and you can’t join the trip, please let us know as soon as possible via email. Your cancellation notice will start from the date we receive it. Cancellation terms: We hold part or full costs, depending on when you cancel: If you cancel 12 weeks or more before the trip we retain 50% of the total cost If you cancel with less than 12 weeks before the trip then its 100% of the total cost Cancellation may fall under the terms and conditions of your holiday insurance policy and you may be able to claim.