Local Area
Croyde beach
Croyde Bay is a family friendly beach on the North Devon coast.
The beach is sandy and set against a backdrop of rolling dunes. There is a wide expanse of rock at both ends of the beach, which makes for excellent rock pooling.
Croyde is famous for it’s waves and at low tide you can get world class A-frame barrels. When the surf is good Croyde features as one of the best, if not the best surf beaches in the UK. The waves have less shape at other stages of tide. The conditions at Croyde Bay are very consistent and during the small waves of summer it can get crowded.
Swimmers should heed caution at Croyde, most importantly the rips can be very strong at the beach, especially at the far right and left hand side of the bay at low tide. However this shouldn’t deter you from taking the kids for a paddling session in the shallows.
Surfing: Intermediate / Advanced
Swim: Keep between lifeguarded flags
Walk: Try the National Trust Trail to Baggy Point
Lifeguarded beach 10am-6pm during these dates
Surf Schools: Surfing Croyde Bay, Surf South West, Croyde Surf Academy
saunton beach
Saunton Sands is a family friendly beach where the sea is much safer than Croyde Bay. It is situated just off the Croyde Road once you have passed through Saunton a small village, in North Devon.
At the south of Saunton Sands lies Crow Point which is situated at the entrance to the Taw estuary. The Taw estuary ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ (AONB) includes Saunton Sands. Saunton is also part of one of the most important natural dune system habitats in the UK, North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve. As you can imagine it’s an idyllic spot to hang out.
Surf: Great for beginners & long boarding
Swim: Safe beach to swim at but always exercise caution
Food: Saunton Break Cafe, Beachside Grill
Walk: Try the Braunton Burrows UNESCO Biosphere Reserve or Crow Point
This is not a lifeguarded beach
Surf Schools: Surf Saunton, Walking on Waves
putsborough beach
Three miles of golden sands stretching north towards Woolacombe and Morte Point and south towards Baggy Point make up Putsborough.
It is one of the finest and most delightful beaches in the South west - the sea is inviting the surf of the highest quality and the surroundings are simply stunning. It is perfect for walkers and children due to the plentiful supply of rock pools to discover.
Putsborough is on the south side of Woolacombe and being farther away from the hotels shops and cafes means that the beach is usually quieter than neighbouring beaches. The golden long sweeping sands are renowned for their cleanliness and beauty.
This beach provides superb bathing and the rolling waves of the Atlantic makes this a surfers' paradise. It is popular with swimmers, surfers,windsurfers and sea canoeists.
There is a beach car park with disabled spaces however direct beach access involves some steps. Surfboard hire is available on the beach and Dogs are permitted from October to April. It is truly a beautiful beach with all the facilities for a great day out.
Surf: Great for beginners & Intermediate
Swim: Safe beach to swim at but always exercise caution
Food: Beach Cafe & Shop
Walk: Try the walk south around Baggy Point or North to Woolacombe
This is not a lifeguarded beach
Surf Schools: Barefoot Surf School & Nick Thorn Surfcoaching