Bantham
South Devon's surf beach, at the mouth of the River Avon.
Bantham is on Devon's south coast, at the mouth of the River Avon, opposite Burgh Island. It needs a big south-west swell, but then the river banks give quality waves.
The river current can be very strong on the outgoing tide.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Rivermouth |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | SW, W |
| Best wind (offshore) | NE, N, E |
| Tide | Low to mid |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | Autumn and winter |
| Crowd | Medium |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
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Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A funboard or longboard; a shortboard in good swell. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Bantham
The safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
View on AmazonThe three-fin set for a shortboard.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
A calm vibe.
Surfing style
River-mouth beach break.
Hazards
Strong river current on the outgoing tide.
Map
Shapers near Bantham
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Bude (Cornwall)
Bude's big beach, with sand peaks and some reefs at either end.
Polzeath (Cornwall)
A gentle, family bay by the Camel estuary, perfect for learning.
Newquay (Cornwall)
A 3 km beach north of Newquay, with plenty of space and consistent banks.
Newquay (Cornwall)
British surfing's most famous beach, in Newquay, home of major contests.
All spots in Cornwall and Devon →
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.