Saunton Sands
A 5 km beach with long, soft waves: the UK's longboard mecca.
Saunton Sands is a very long beach in front of the Braunton Burrows dunes. The slope is gentle and the waves are long and slow, perfect for longboarding and learning.
There's room for everyone even on busy days.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Beginner |
| Best swell | W, NW, SW |
| Best wind (offshore) | E, NE, SE |
| Tide | Mid to high |
| Size | 0.5–1.5 m |
| Best season | All year |
| 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 longboard or minimalibu; a good place for a wooden board. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Saunton Sands
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 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 relaxed vibe.
Surfing style
Longboarding and learning.
Hazards
Tidal currents.
Map
Shapers near Saunton Sands
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Croyde (Devon)
Devon's most famous beach break: fast low-tide barrels in a small bay.
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.