GUIDE TO SURF BEACHES ON THE NORTH COAST OF DEVON

Summary:

Generally good peaks and not too crowded.

Location:

From the M5 take the turn off sign posted to North Devon and Barnstaple. When you reach Barnstaple follow the signs for the A39 to Ilfracombe. Just before you get to Ilfracombe there will be a roundabout with the first left sign posted to Woolacombe.

Name of Breaks:

The break is located at the far Northern end of Woolacombe Bay. Just follow the sea front road round and park on the side of the road above the break.

Direction Of Breaks:

Best wind direction is E which is offshore. A strong SE wind will create too much chop as the beach is exposed to the S. There is some protection from a N wind.

Comments:

The break is sand bottomed and works from half tide down to low and back up again to half tide. During the upper half of the tide the beach is fully covered and the break stops working as the upper beach is rock covered.

As the break starts to work it is possible to paddle out through the small cove at the S of the break. However, once the tide has dropped it is just a walk out to the beach. At very low spring tides the beach effectively connects up with the main Woolacombe beach.

With a good ground swell there will be peaks breaking right across the beach. These will vary depending on the sand bars. At the S end there is often a long left that breaks from the sewer pipe. A good right often breaks in the middle. To the N at low tide there can be good rights breaking in the small coves further round the bay.

Compared to Croyde this is a much more mellow wave and with smaller crowds generally more fun to surf.

Summary:

This is one of the best breaks in Europe. Particularly at low tide it produces hard , fast and barrelling waves of high quality. This is a very popular beach at all times of the year and can get crowded and intense at times.

Location:

From the M5 take the turn off sign posted to North Devon and Barnstaple. When you reach Barnstaple follow the signs for the A39 to Ilfracombe. At the small town of Braunton turn left where the signs say Saunton and Croyde. Croyde is about 2 miles after Saunton and there are several car parks around the bay.

Name of Break:

This is a classic beach break with peaks all across the beach.

Direction Of Break:

Best wind direction is one with an easterly component which is offshore. Light southerlys can also produce clean cross shore conditions.

Comments:

The break works at most states of the tide with the best waves often being at low tide. These low tide peaks are very fast and produce some of the best surf in Europe. Being a beach break the peaks move around a bit with the years as the banks shift. However, for a number of years the best low tide peaks have been around the southern end of the beach.

During mid tide the quality drops off a bit with more close outs on a rising tide. Bear in mind that the tide rises fast here like most of the west coast and accordingly the conditions can change very quickly.

Towards high tide the waves become less fast with easier take offs and longer rides. This is often the better time for less experienced surfers to take on Croyde.

In conclusion, Croyde is a high quality beach break. It does get very crowded so be prepared for some hassle at times.

Summary:

An interesting wave which should only be surfed by experienced surfers.

Location:

Name of Break:

This is located at the North end of the beach just below the National Trust car park.

Direction Of Break:

Best wind direction is one with an easterly component which is offshore. Light southerlys can also produce clean cross shore conditions.

Comments:

This break only works around high spring tide and with at least 3 to 4 foot of swell running. The waves break over the rocks at the North end of the beach and for most of the time it is working the water is very shallow.

The initial take off produces a steep bowling right which then settles down into a much slower break along the rocks. The wave is fun for experienced surfers but you probably need to be prepared to pick up a few dings when you surf here.

In conclusion, an interesting and fun wave on the rare occasions that it breaks well.