Surfing In North Devon
Surfers know that waves roll in all year round at Saunton and along the North Devon coast. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, looking to hone your skills or ride your first wave, a surf trip to Saunton is the perfect choice.
Wave watch from your room, over breakfast, from the vitality pool or out on the lawn! Post-surf, feast on a massive burger at the Beachside Grill, warm up with hot chocolate in the lounge or nurture paddle-weary arms in our Source Spa & Wellness.
Learn toSurf
We are proud to offer free surf lessons during the school holidays.
Did you know that children over 11 years and adults staying during the school holidays (excluding the February half term) get a free surf lesson? Plus during the summer holidays, we offer free junior surfing once a week with Jack and the Walking on Waves team - which is included of our inclusive entertainment programme. Guests who stay over a Saturday from June until September are also entitled to a free surf lesson.
You can book your surf lessons via our Guest Relations team. Walking on Waves also have a number of pro one-to-one coaches if you want to seriously develop your technique and offer private surfing lessons for large groups.
Board Store & Surf Hire
For the more experiences surfers, you can try some of the best boards in the world and rent a board from our friends at Surfed Out. With an extensive range of longboards and shortboards from around the world manufactured in traditional as well as some of the latest technologies available, you can try before you buy with their Surfed Out VIP club. Find out more and download their app here.
For beginners wanting to hire gear, our friends at Saunton Surf Hire can help and also extend a 10% discount to our guests. To hire equipment, please visit their website and add the items you require at the checkout using the coupon code provided by guest relations. They will then have your hires reserved and ready when you arrive at the beach.
If you bring your own gear, we have a racked-out, locked board storage room, The Beach Hut for you to store your gear safely during your stay. We also have a drying room for wetsuits. Plus, we have an outdoor shower to rinse off, so as to keep your room or apartment slightly less sandy!
UNISURFITY
Advanced surf coaching with pro surf coach, Jez Browning.
We have teamed up with UniSURFity to bring you a unique advanced surf coaching experience whilst you’re staying with us.
• Ride the waves of the North Devon World Surfing Reserve
• Expert surf coaching from one of only a handful of surfing ‘Masters’ in the world
• This is surf coaching VIP-style.
Who is the UniSurfity VIP Experience for?
The UniSurfity Experience is aimed at intermediate, advanced and elite/professional surfers with personal expert coaching from pro surf coach, Jez Browning to take your surfing to the next level.
North Devon Surf Spots
Whatever the conditions, there is usually a spot to surf within a short drive (if Saunton isn’t working that is).
Saunton Sands itself is a huge beach with long, slow walls, great for beginners, longboarders and kiters and sheltered from NW-N winds. With a little stroll down the beach, you can often find a quieter spot. Watch out for kiteboarders when windy!
Other Local Surf spots
Croyde
Just around the corner, Croyde Bay at low tide is world-class, boasting A-frame barrels and renowned as probably the best beach break in the UK on a good day. Not for the novice, it can get extremely crowded and expect strong rips. Lifeguards patrol the beach during the busy summer months.
Putsborough
Around Baggy Point beyond Croyde is the more gentle Putsborough. The popular beach has reasonable peaks and is a good option for when the prevailing SW-S winds are blowing. Beware of the rip along cliff, although useful when big to get out back. Very narrow and steep lanes to access and the roads can get very congested during peak summer, best avoided on a very sunny day. No lifeguards.
Woolacombe
Further down the beach from Putsborough, you come to the long stretch of Woolacombe which is popular with longboarders and beginners due to its mellow, open beachbreak. Head north to the small bay of Combesgate for shapely low tide peaks. Lifeguards on the northern end and middle beach during peak summer.
Lynmouth
For when the surf is too big to hold, experienced surfers head to Lynmouth for its long left-hand point break which breaks on moderate to large westerly swell and southerly winds. One of the best quality point breaks in the country, it is often crowded with high-level surfers when it’s working. Beware, this is a boulder bottomed spot and is not for the fainthearted. No lifeguards.
Westward Ho!
Visible from Saunton Sands and just a hop over the estuary, is Westward Ho!. Great for beginners with its slow, crumbly waves. While appearing very close, it takes around 50 minutes to drive there! Lifeguards during peak summer.
When there's no surf
On the occasional flat day, it’s an opportunity to explore the headlands, caves and estuary via paddleboard, kayak or cliff jumping with guided coasteering. Aptly named England’s Adventure Coast, there’s no shortage of fun for thrill-seekers!
More from Saunton Sands Hotel
Featuring 77 elegantly furnished rooms and living suites, along with 11 self-catering apartments, guests have plenty o choices for a relaxing and comfortable seaside stay.
Whether it’s an intimate meal, light bite, or a feast with family and friends, we look forward to giving you a true taste of Devon when you stay with us. We pride ourselves on offering great dining experiences whilst connecting dishes to the landscapes many ingredients originate from.
Set atop the cliffs on the North Devon coast, Source Spa and Wellness at Saunton Sands Hotel overlooks the awe-inspiring dunes of the World Heritage North Devon Biosphere Reserve, rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean and miles of golden sands. This is a luxury spa that lets you find yourself in nature.