The best surfing beaches in Devon

Coastal, Watersports, The Great British Outdoors

Posted by Courtney on 8th November 2021

Surfing in DevonCredit: Surfing Croyde Bay

The South West of England is well known as a surfing paradise in the UK, and Devon, in particular, is home to some of the best places to learn to surf or catch some amazing waves. 

And, with North Devon recently becoming the 12th World Surfing Reserve, alongside destinations such as Malibu and Australia's Gold Coast, you can be certain there are few better places around the globe to catch a wave than right here in this corner of Great Britain. 

But, whether you choose to visit North Devon or South Devon, one thing's for certain: there’s a brilliant surfing beach in almost every cove as you travel around the coastline. If you're new to the sport, make sure you read up on the top beach safety tips beforehand. 

There are miles of wide sandy beaches where the Atlantic rollers crash onto the sand, all within easy reach of our Devon cottages, which provide the perfect base to head back to after an exhausting day riding the waves. If you’re wondering where to surf in Devon, take a look at our top surf beaches and get out there and discover your new, favourite beach!

Devon coastal cottages


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Surfing beaches in North Devon

Croyde

Croyde

For the best surfing in Devon, you need to head to the north coast – and Croyde is one of the best surfing beaches in Devon, if not the world. The waters can get incredibly crowded in the summer so, for beginners, it may be best to head out in the off season. With plenty of surf schools here though, and lifeguards throughout the summer months, it’s a great location to learn to surf.

For the more advanced, the low tide creates crashing A-frame barrels which offer up a great challenge and a rewarding surf. The best conditions can be found around an hour after low tide. The tide moves quickly as the sands are fairly level - be alert to the riptide at each end of the beach in certain conditions.

  • Suitable for: Intermediate/advanced in the summer, everyone in off-peak months but choose your conditions wisely! 
  • Parking: Ample pay and display parking in the village, at campsites and at National Trust’s Baggy Point
  • Refreshments: Several pubs and cafes in Croyde
  • Surf schools/hire nearby: Croyde Surf Hire/The Little Pink Shop, Croyde Surf Academy, Surfing Croyde Bay

All Croyde cottages


Woolacombe

Woolacombe

A large sandy beach popular with beginners and longboarders, Woolacombe beach offers a top-quality beachbreak and mellow waves. As the North Devon beach stretches on for miles, there’s plenty of room for beginners worried about summer crowds. Like at Croyde, you’ll also find plenty of surf schools in Woolacombe, as well as a lifeguard service.

Because of its exposed nature, the beach can suffer from south-westerly winds, but this can work to your advantage offering punchy peaks as the tide lines bend around the coast. The reef break produces excellent waves whether it’s high or low tide, making it a top pick for surfing in Devon.

All Woolacombe cottages


Saunton

Saunton Sands

The wide bay of Saunton Sands beach can cope with even the crowds that the height of summer brings, and the gentle slope of the sand creates a much slower break of the waves which, in particular, makes it an ideal beach for beginners hoping to stand up for the first time, or for budding surfers who need that confidence boost of catching plenty of breaks.

The long and slow walls also make it great for longboarders – in fact, it’s probably one of the best beaches in Devon for longboard surfing. Beginners are best off in the shallow waters, where you can still enjoy a satisfying ride while learning to master the basics.

If, at any point, it does feel a little too congested, fear not as you also happen to be in a superb spot for coastal walks.

All Saunton cottages


Putsborough

Putsborough

Putsborough still remains a bit of a hidden gem compared to North Devon’s other beaches, and it’s an underrated surf spot too. It’s located on the same 3-mile stretch of beach as Woolacombe and is well-sheltered from the south-westerly winds thanks to Baggy Point. This means that the waves are very clean, especially when the weather is good, making it great for surfers of all abilities.

Unless you are an experienced surfer, be sure to stay clear of the water near the rocks at the south end of the beach, where a strong rip current can run out to sea. There are no lifeguards at Putsborough, so check the surfing forecast on a website such as Magic Seaweed before you go.

  • Suitable for: Everyone
  • Parking: Pay and display car park by the beach, reached by driving down a steep slope
  • Refreshments: Beach cafe next to the beach
  • Surf schools/hire nearby: Barefoot Surf School, Active Escape

Westward Ho! Beach

Westward Ho! Beach

With over two miles of golden sands at low tide and waves breaking all along the beach, there’s plenty of room for everyone at Westward Ho! Beach. Rip tides here are very rare and although this might make it a little trickier to paddle out at times, it certainly makes it one of the safer beaches in Devon.

There are no underwater obstructions either, but beginners should watch out for the pebble ridge at two hours on either side of high tide, as the waves break onto this natural barrier and make it a little riskier when getting out of the water. This shouldn’t be a problem though, as the tide goes out so far, you’ll have ample time to pick your perfect time to go in the water.

Locals are friendly making this a perfect beach to either begin your surfing adventure or master a new break.

All Westward Ho! cottages


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Surfing beaches in South Devon

Bantham

Bantham

Surf spots are slightly less easy to come by on the south coast of Devon, but Bantham is one of the best places to surf in the area. In fact, it’s the home of surfing on the south coast, with people riding waves there since at least the 1960s – and, due to its reputation plus its stunning location in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it does tend to get pretty crowded. 

The quality and size of the wave shift as the sandbanks do, making it a tricky spot to navigate. There are two main peaks – The Rip to the left and The Rivermouth to the right – and both are fairly fast waves. Be aware of the rip towards the left of the beach, which appears as the tide goes out. However, beginners can learn in the sandy shallows especially at low tide.

  • Suitable for: Everyone – but choose your spot wisely!
  • Parking: Pay and display car park 75 metres from the beach
  • Refreshments: Lots of pubs, restaurants and cafes in Bantham itself
  • Surf schools/hire nearby: Bantham Surfing Academy

All Bantham cottages


Challaborough

Bigbury-on-Sea/Challaborough

On the other side of the River Avon from Bantham, and nestled behind Burgh Island, are the twin beaches of Bigbury-on-Sea and Challaborough. As well as having some great waves, it’s also popular with windsurfers and kite surfers.

Very much like Bantham, the waves change as the sandbanks move – however, with a sandy shore and very few hazards, it’s a great place to beginners. If you’ve got kids in tow, they’ll love the many rock pools and you can even visit Burgh Island – take the sea tractor across for an unusual day out!

  • Suitable for: Beginners
  • Parking: Pay and display in Bigbury, or the National Trust car park at Ayrmer Cove
  • Refreshments: A few cafes in Bigbury and a chip shop in Challaborough
  • Surf schools/hire nearby: Discovery Surf School

All Bigbury cottages


Thurlestone Beach

Thurlestone Beach

The beach at Thurelstone is actually made up of two sandy stretches: the smaller, more northerly cove is known as Leas Foot, and the larger, southern beach is Thurlestone Sands, which then joins South Milton Sands. Both beaches are sheltered and enjoy crystal clear waters, which comes in handy when trying to avoid some of the submerged rocks.

This is one reason why Thurlestone is usually surfed by more experienced surfers, normally those who wish to avoid the crowds at Bantham during the summer months. If you fancy taking on these fast right-hand waves, you can rest assured knowing that lifeguards are on duty during the peak season. With the right conditions, the surf here can be amongst the best on the south coast and when you realise you’re riding the waves next to an iconic rock archway, life doesn’t get much better.

Note: on the map, for Thurlestone, see South Milton Sands

  • Suitable for: Intermediate to advanced surfers
  • Parking:  Free parking at Thurlestone Sands (near the golf course), or pay and display at South Milton Sands car park
  • Refreshments: Gastrobus in Thurlestone Sands car park (during peak season), or pubs and restaurants at South Milton Sands
  • Surf schools/hire nearby: Trioceansurf, Discovery Surf School

All Thurlestone cottages


Mothecombe Beach at sunrise

Mothecombe Beach

The privately owned Mothecombe Beach is nonetheless open to the public every day of the year and sits within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. One of the quieter shores in the area, this sheltered beach break is ideal for beginners in that you won’t be crowded out on the water but also in that the conditions lend themselves surfers with less experience.

Offering both left and right-hand waves, you’ll find the best time of year to surf is in winter, around February time when offshore winds blow in from the north. This is when you’ll get the cleanest and most consistent waves. Just watch out for the occasional rip tide.

  • Suitable for: Everyone
  • Parking: Car park approximately 15 minutes’ walk away (500m). The car park hut accepts cash only during March – September (no charges outside of these months)
  • Refreshments: Tea house in the car park, or the Schoolhouse seafood restaurant
  • Surf schools/hire nearby: Closest is Discovery Surf School

Cottages near Mothecombe Beach


Devon's best surfing beaches on a map

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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.