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Main Beach/Cowell Beach
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
9 reviews for Main Beach/Cowell Beach
Friendly waves (I once saw a dog surfing here), there aren't really any territorial local people and once you catch a wave you can ride on for a good while.
A good mix of beginners and advanced.
The beach itself is nice too, not as crowded as the boardwalk side so you can have a bit more peace and quiet.
Surfing, the boardwalk, the wharf, close to downtown, this has to be one of the best beaches on earth.
The amount of stuff you can do on this beach are nearly endless. Volleyball, great spot for Frisbee, jogging on the beach...just plain fun.
Parking on a host summer day is rough, but most coastal beaches get bad in the summer as far as crowds.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
Lots of action going on here in the summer and not so much except for volleyball in the winter. The Boardwalk is right down the beach so you will get a lot of people walking down the sidewalk looking and smiling at you when you are hitting the volleyball around.
If you want privacy, go to Cowell's, you can learn to surf there too if that is your main interest. Cowell's is also the start to the walk along the beach bluffs all the way to Natural Bridges. A beautiful walk but bring your coat and sweater because it can get really cold.
See my review of the Boardwalk if you want a list of all of the activities you can do on these beaches. They are both really fun, flat and nice ones.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
A pretty nice beach, even though it was a bit crowded on the recent sunny Saturday that I visited. The beach was pretty clean, except for a few cigarette butts (EWWW!!!! Why do people do that??? Don't they realize that is disgusting???).
I spent about an hour on the beach enjoying a beautiful sunny morning until I couldn't control my urge to learn how to surf. There are at least three places (Cowell's Beach and Bikini, Shoreline, and that place with the trailer parked right on the beach) within a block of the beach to rent wetsuits and boards.
Cowell Beach was a great place to learn to surf (with the boyfriend as impromptu surf instructor) because a lot of the other people there are also beginners, so you don't feel too stupid when you can't stay on the board despite three hours of trying. However, it does get pretty crowded in the late morning/early afternoon. I can't wait to go back with more instruction and hopefully more success.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (2)
Checked out this beach on a slightly chilly Saturday. On one hand, the beach wasn't that crowded, but I'd hate to see this place on a really sunny day. The public bathrooms were decently clean, but there was a long line. Parking wasn't difficult to find; there's a free three hour parking lot nearby. The beach was a little dirty, and the quality of the sand isn't that high.
At the beach you can lie around and sun, or, what I do, watch the surfers and laugh at them when they wipe out. Ahh, entertainment!
Big hint, if you want a quiet spot, hit the Cowell's side, more specifically Collins Cove against the rocks. If you want people watching, hit Main Beach. Whether a rec player, or pro, there is always action on the volleyball courts. If you're looking to learn to surf, and the waves are small, Cowell's is the spot, with a number of shops/schools to serve you. For all, the Arcade, Surf Bowl, and the Boardwalk are right down the sidewalk. Recommended walk: Cowells to Natural Bridges and Back. Locals night: Fireworks in October. Parking tip: park up the road by Depot Park for free and walk to the beach, or better yet, walk or ride a bike to get here. Best eats nearby: Ideal restaurant on the patio.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Cool (1)
Great place for a beginning surfer. It can get a bit crowded even on weekdays, but it's a very nice place to relax.
i basically grew up on cowell beach. i remember the days of jr. lifeguards and body surfing as a kid. this was my favorite beach. the sandbar that formed over a decade and half ago was basically the main reason as it lengthened the beach along the cliffs and caused the perfect conditions for skim boarding. this place was my favorite childhood playground and my parents baby sitter.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
Awesome. Fifteen+ volleyball courts and plenty of ocean are all you need. The nearby boardwalk is a decent place to blow some quarters on video games, grab some shopping mall food court style food, and then lose it on the rides. The pier is similar but without the games or rides.
