Croyde (Devon)
Beach breakIntermediate
Devon's most famous beach break: fast low-tide barrels in a small bay.
The north coast works with a west or north-west swell and an east or south-east wind; when the usual south-westerly blows, the south coast or more sheltered bays are the alternative. The tides are big (up to 6–7 m) and completely change each beach. Water is 9–10 °C in winter and 16–17 °C at the end of summer: a 5/4 wetsuit with booties in winter. In summer many beaches have lifeguarded swimming zones, with separate areas for boards.
Map
Braunton (Devon)
Beach breakBeginner
A 5 km beach with long, soft waves: the UK's longboard mecca.
Woolacombe (Devon)
Beach breakAll levels
A big Devon beach with peaks for everyone and a busy summer scene.
Bude (Cornwall)
Beach breakAll levels
Bude's big beach, with sand peaks and some reefs at either end.
Polzeath (Cornwall)
Beach breakBeginner
A gentle, family bay by the Camel estuary, perfect for learning.
Newquay (Cornwall)
Beach breakAll levels
A 3 km beach north of Newquay, with plenty of space and consistent banks.
Newquay (Cornwall)
Beach breakAll levels
British surfing's most famous beach, in Newquay, home of major contests.
Newquay (Cornwall)
ReefExpert
Newquay's big wave: a right that breaks off Towan Head only in huge storms.
Perranporth (Cornwall)
Beach breakAll levels
A 3 km beach with dunes, very consistent and with room for everyone.
Porthtowan (Cornwall)
Beach breakIntermediate
A small surf village between cliffs, with powerful banks.
St Ives Bay (Cornwall)
Beach breakAll levels
The St Ives Bay beaches, facing Godrevy lighthouse.
Land's End (Cornwall)
Beach breakAll levels
Next to Land's End: Cornwall's swell magnet, for when everything else is flat.
Porthleven (Cornwall)
ReefExpert
Cornwall's most powerful reef: a hollow right by Porthleven harbour.
Kingsbridge (Devon)
RivermouthAll levels
South Devon's surf beach, at the mouth of the River Avon.
Conditions at a glance
| Spot | Wave type | Level | Best swell | Best wind (offshore) | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croyde | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW, SW | E, SE | Low for barrels |
| Saunton Sands | Beach break | Beginner | W, NW, SW | E, NE, SE | Mid to high |
| Woolacombe | Beach break | All levels | W, NW | E, SE | All tides |
| Widemouth Bay | Beach break | All levels | W, NW | E, SE | Mid |
| Polzeath | Beach break | Beginner | NW, W, N | SE, S, E | Mid |
| Watergate Bay | Beach break | All levels | W, NW | E, SE | All tides |
| Fistral | Beach break | All levels | W, NW, SW | E, SE | All tides (each section works at a different tide) |
| The Cribbar | Reef | Expert | NW, W | S, SE | Low to mid |
| Perranporth | Beach break | All levels | W, NW, SW | E, SE, NE | All tides |
| Porthtowan | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW | SE, E | Low to mid |
| Gwithian & Godrevy | Beach break | All levels | NW, W, N | SE, S, E | All tides |
| Sennen Cove | Beach break | All levels | W, NW, SW | E, NE, SE | Mid |
| Porthleven | Reef | Expert | SW, W | NE, N, E | Mid |
| Bantham | Rivermouth | All levels | SW, W | NE, N, E | Low to mid |
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.
Shapers in Cornwall and Devon
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.