The Esplanade Hotel
  • Stay
  • Offers and Breaks
  • Eat & Drink
  • Festive

The Esplanade Hotel Blog

A guide to beach essentials

There are some essentials you need for a day at the beach, and some need-to-know knowledge that will help make your beach day in Newquay the best.

The Esplanade Hotel, in Newquay, Cornwall, is situated on the coast path just above Fistral Beach, the UK’s number 1 surf destination famed for its surf, sand dunes and sunsets. We’ve rounded up some seaside essentials for you, to help make your time on the shoreline as fun as can be.

Dick Pearce Bellyboard
It’s back to basics at Dick Pearce Bellyboards - and vintage is back in a big way! Handmade in their Newquay workshop, Dick Pearce Bellyboards use old techniques to reinvigorate this alternative surf craft. Bellyboards have resurfaced, now fashionable with pastel colourways and wood grain designs, so you’ll always stand out in the surf. Bellyboarding is an accessible way to get out in the water and Dick Pearce Bellyboards even create child size boards so that the whole family can join in on the fun.

You can pick up a Dick Pearce Bellyboard at The Esplanade Hotel reception and take it home as a memento of your time by the sea, built to last you can pass it down through the generations.

Browse bellyboards

Quiksilver Surf Lesson
Surfs up! Learn how to surf with the team at Quiksilver Surf School Newquay in a safe and fun environment. Get your wetsuit on, don a rash vest, pick up a board and head down to Fistral Beach for a surf lesson solo or with the whole gang.
Beginner, improver, surfer, family and children’s surf lessons are available to book online or over the phone. Whether you’re joining the crew for a summertime surf or braving a winter dip the guys at Quiksilver Surf School Newquay will make sure you have a good time in the waves. If surfing isn’t your sport try out paddle boarding, coasteering and bodyboarding too. See the Fistral webcam now!

And guests staying at The Esplanade Hotel receive a discount on lessons and equipment hire!

Book online

2 Minute Beach Clean
Take care of our marine life and get some fresh air at the same time on a 2-minute beach clean. This activity is a wonderful way lone explorers or groups can explore the coastline and help the planet, by picking up debris on the shoreline and beach.
The 2-Minute Foundation began this initiative in 2013 and it has since swept the nation. Collect a picker from the hotel reception and get to work – it can be quite fun and rewarding.

Learn more

Summer Activities
If you’re staying at The Esplanade Hotel during July and August, you can join in with weekly summer activities like the beach safety talk with Quiksilver Surf School. Learn how to stay safe on the beach and in the sea with expert advice from these salty sea dogs.
Or join in on a rockpool ramble around North Fistral with Newquay Wild Activities and spot sea creatures, learn about crustaceans and discover some secrets of the coastal habitats around our shores. Pre-booking is essential for this one so make sure your family enquires at reception if you’re interested.

Get involved

RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is celebrating its 200th anniversary year in 2024. Celebrate with a trip down to Newquay Harbour to see where the lifeboat is stored and observe Newquay’s historic fishing port in action – with an ice cream in hand of course! The RNLI is a national charity and the lifeguards you see on Fistral Beach are all funded by the organisation which has changed beach safety for everyone and have been saving lives at sea since 1824.

Read more

Check out the latest breaks and packages for families, couples, and groups at The Esplanade Hotel. Perhaps a getaway by the Cornish coast might be a nice addition to your calendar. Book your break

Sign up to The Esplanade Hotel’s Loyalty Club, which is complimentary to join, and earn credits while you spend time with us here by the coast. It’s a way of us thanking our regular guests who join us time and time again here at The Esplanade Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall.

Featured posts

Keep on reading…

10th September 2026

October half term by the sea

Explore | Family Fun | Hotel

Make October half term one to remember at The Esplanade in Newquay, with family activities, indoor fun and Fistral Beach on the doorstep. Autumn adventures start here.

Read more

8th September 2026

The beach beyond summer

Explore | Family Fun | Hotel

Beach days aren’t over yet with autumn breaks at The Esplanade Hotel in Cornwall.

Read more

19th August 2026

Paws and relax

Hotel

With 26th August marking National Dog Day, here are just some of the ways we welcome you and your four-legged friend on your next break by the beach.

Read more
Discover more
  • Stay
    • Bedrooms
    • Family rooms
    • Dog-friendly rooms
    • Facilities
  • Families
    • Families
    • Family Rooms
    • Facilities and Activities
    • Dining with Children
    • Family Offers and Breaks
  • Eat & Drink
    • Eat & Drink
    • Book a table
  • Beach Life
    • Beach Life
    • Quiksilver Surf School
    • Things to do
    • Webcam
    • What’s on
    • Blog
  • Offers and Breaks
  • Meetings & Occasions
    • Children’s Parties
    • Conferences
    • Golf stays
    • Group stays
  • Festive
    • Festive
    • Christmas Breaks
    • Twixmas Breaks
    • New Year Breaks
    • Christmas Parties
  • About
    • The hotel
    • Philema Rewards
    • Meet the team
    • Getting Here
  • Gift Vouchers
  • Contact Us

Download our App

Keep up to date with all things Esplanade, all the time! Download our app to keep in touch, book experiences and receive special offers right to your phone.

  • The latest packages

    Our offers

    October Half Term Breaks

    This October half term, escape to the north Cornwall coast for a family break filled with autumn adventure and Halloween fun.

    Break Includes:

    • Your accommodation
    • Opt to enjoy breakfast with our Bed and Breakfast rate or include dinner each evening with our Dinner, Bed and Breakfast rate
    • FREE family activities
    • Use of the indoor and outdoor play areas, swimming pool and cinema
    • 10% off spa treatments for the grown-ups at the adult-only Fistral Spa
    Book your October Half Term Break
    Read more...

    Sunday stays

    Make the most of your weekend and stay a little longer, or start your weekend by the beach for less.

    Break Includes:

    • One night stay for two people
    • Breakfast in Cove Restaurant each morning
    • Three-course evening on Sunday night
    • Full use of the facilities including indoor pool, sauna and hot tub
    • 10% off spa treatments for the grown ups at the adult-only Fistral Spa
    Book your sunday stay
    Read more...

    Christmas Breaks

    At our much-loved beachside family hotel, we have everything wrapped up ready for the ultimate winter getaway.

    Break Includes:

    • Three- or four-night stay
    • Breakfast in Cove Restaurant each morning
    • Dinner each evening in Cove Restaurant
    • A full festive events and music schedule during your stay
    • FREE kids’ activities, for those travelling as a family
    • Christmas Day Lunch
    • Use of hotel facilities including pool, play areas, sauna and cinema
    • 10% off spa treatments for the grown-ups at Fistral Spa
    Book a Christmas Break
    Read more...
    View all breaks
  • Sign up for news and offers

    Sign up for our newsletter to be in the know about all-new exclusive offers, family-friendly events, and classic Cornish experiences at our beach-front hotel.

  • Weather

    14℃
    Newquay, GB
  • Contact us

    Esplanade, Newquay
    Cornwall, TR7 1PS

    T
    01637 873333
    RESERVATIONS@ESPLANADEHOTELNEWQUAY.CO.UK

    Follow us

    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility
    • Press Area
    • Jobs
    • Blog
    • Philema Rewards
    • Philema Collection
    • Gift Vouchers
    • Sponsorship
    • Gallery
    • Charity

    © 2026 The Esplanade Hotel. All Rights Reserved.

    What would you like to book?

    Accommodation
    Dining