Croyde
Devon's most famous beach break: fast low-tide barrels in a small bay.
Croyde is a small bay with one of the most powerful beach breaks in the UK. At low tide with an easterly wind the banks produce fast, hollow barrels; at high tide the wave softens a lot.
It's very popular and fills up as soon as it works, especially at weekends and in the holidays.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Best swell | W, NW, SW |
| Best wind (offshore) | E, SE |
| Tide | Low for barrels |
| Size | 0.8–2.5 m |
| Best season | Autumn to spring |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Localism | Medium |
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 shortboard for low tide; a fish or funboard at high tide. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Croyde
Keeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonThe classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.
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
Lots of people and a skilled local crew at the low-tide peak. Respect priority.
Surfing style
Beach-break barrels.
Hazards
Shallow water at low tide, currents and crowds.
Map
Shapers near Croyde
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Braunton (Devon)
A 5 km beach with long, soft waves: the UK's longboard mecca.
Woolacombe (Devon)
A big Devon beach with peaks for everyone and a busy summer scene.
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.
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.