Surfing

North Devon is famous for its excellent surfing conditions, with Croyde Beach often regarded as one of the best surfing beaches in the region. Its west-facing beach breaks and legendary low-tide barrels have made Croyde the heart of the local surfing community for generations. Surfers of all levels flock here to catch the perfect wave.

Surfing in North Devon is thrilling and rewarding. Beginners can take advantage of expert instruction from local surf schools such as Surf South West, operating in Croyde for over 22 years. With experienced, qualified instructors, you'll be in safe hands as you learn to catch your first wave.

‍Top Surfing Beaches

Putsborough Beach - A slower-paced beach ideal for beginners looking to build confidence and improve skills. Our Putsborough holiday cottages offer direct access to the beach and views of the waves, making it the perfect base for a surfing break.
Woolacombe Beach - Provides consistent surf at all tides and is great for those seeking reliable conditions.
Saunton Beach - Perfect for longboarders or those who enjoy long, rolling waves.

Croyde Bay benefits from swells throughout the year. Easterly winds provide a mix of ground and wind swells, delivering excellent surf conditions. For surfers wanting accommodation within walking distance of the beach, The Stables offers direct sea views, a five-minute stroll to the surf, and practical amenities such as an outside tap and dunk bucket for washing boards, a large garden for tending equipment, and a drying rack for wetsuits.

Croyde Bay's beach breaks offer both right- and left-hand waves, ensuring there's something for everyone. Grab your surfboard, wax it up, suit up, and enjoy some of the best surfing beaches in North Devon!

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Croyde Bay Beach

Croyde Beach is one of the Premier surfing breaks in the UK. A great short Boarders wave and best surfed at low tide, Croyde's surfing conditions produces a very fast wave. On a good day the waves barrel at low tide gives the rider a great thrill ride. Croyde rests on the North Devon coast and the Atlantic swell drives in great waves nearly all year. Croyde is a ¾ mile long and stretches between Down End and Baggy Point. Some serious Rips run here so it is not for the faint hearted. The RNLI patrol the beach Easter to October. Producing such a World Class wave it is no wonder that Croyde attracts many competitions for surf in Croyde which are held annually. The Saltrock Open, Jesus Surf Classic and The Goldcoast Oceanfest.

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Saunton Sands Beach

Saunton Beach is a Premier Longboarders wave. The two miles of flat golden sand produces a long slow steady wave. Saunton beach is best surfed 'On the push' and a couple of hours after High tide. It produces a good solid beginners wave and holds the longest ride! Many Longboarding competitions are held here including the Hotdoggers Longboarders championship and the BigBoy Paddle in June. International wave riders flock here to complete. Saunton has NO lifeguard on Patrol.

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Putsborough Beach

Putsborough Beach is sheltered from the wind when Croyde is 'Blown Out'. Both beaches are excellent beginners waves, and Woolacombe is patrolled by the RLNI Easter to October. These two beaches work well when Croyde is 3 or 4 foot and a bit too big for a novice, this is an ideal choice. picture paradise beach offering breathtaking views, beautiful soft sands and inviting clean water conditions. Putsborough beach is an ideal beach for any beginner surfer as well as those with a little more experience as this beach has been regarded as one of the safest beaches in North Devon. Putsborough has also achieved the award for the 7th best beach in the U.K.

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Crow Point Beach

Crow Point / Broadsands Beach lies on the furthest edge of Braunton Burrows, marking the uniion between the sea and the river edge. The best swell conditions for great surf are from the west. View our holiday cottages near Crow point beach.

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Woolacombe Beach

Woolacombe Beach is more than two miles of golden sand backed by sandy hills and the Woolacombe Downs. It joins Putsborough Beach at the opposite end giving the surfer 3 miles of waves. Best surf is 'on the push', around High tide and a few hours after high tide. View our holiday cottages near Woolacombe beach.

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Instow Beach

Instow Beach is located on the edge of the Torridge estuary, the beach is blessed with fine, soft sand. The beach is sheltered from the surf but it is a fantastic spot for kite surfing and wind surfing. View our holiday cottages near Instow beach.

The Surf Museum - Braunton

The Museum of British Surfing in Braunton - built by you, the British surfer! Showcasing surfboards through the ages, Learn how surfing originally came to be. Based in Braunton this spectacular museum is a MUST place to visit, dont miss out! Flexible and innovative museum - each year a new themed exhibition at the venue which then goes on tour around the UK. There is special focus on young people and those who might never have been to the coast - Look out for our special beach days, and surfing & skateboarding events.

Surfing Croyde Bay

If you want to learn to surf in Croyde Bay, you've come to the right place. SCB offer 4 main surf tutition packages. Each course has the same basic structure: A de-briefing session/initial preparation at HQ, followed by a 10 minute warm-up/walk to the beach before finally hitting the surf.

Get Wet Surf School

When you're on holiday, relaxing and having fun are two of the most important things on the agenda. At Get Wet surf school they are dedicated to making sure you get both!

Walking on Waves Surf School - Saunton

Walking on Waves will accomodate all surfing abilities; whether you are an absolute beginner or an all seasons board rider they can introduce, improve or repair your North Devon surfing skills. The basic course covers beach and sea safety to Saunton Sands and dry sand tuition/techniques followed by open sea practical coaching.

Surf South West - Croyde

Surf South West run the UK's leading surf schools and was the first to be awarded Level 4 status by the British Surfing Association. Based in Croyde Bay, Devon, the experience and reputation has ensured that they are the only surf school officially permitted to instruct surfing on both Croyde Bay and Saunton Sands. This means they have satisfied the stringent conditions imposed by the beach owners to ensure that they operate safely and professionally.

Nick Thorn - Woolacombe

The team at Nick Thorn Surf School have helped hundreds of people get into the water and experience the thrill of surfing their first wave. Dedicated instructors provide a supportive environment where you can master the fundamentals of the sport in preparation for your future surfing adventures.

North Devon Surf School - Croyde

North Devon surf school have been running Croyde surfing lessons in North Devon for over 20 years. In that time we have taught people to surf from every walk of life, ability and all fitness levels, not to mention age variations.

Barefoot Surf School - Putsborough

Barefoot surf lessons take place at Putsborough Sands, the safest and best learner beach in North Devon. Quieter and more spacious than the busy beaches of Croyde and Woolacombe, yet just a mile or two away.

Surfing in North Devon Guide

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