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SURFING 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 Beachside Grill, warm up with hot chocolate in the lounge or nurture paddle-weary arms in our spa’s Thermal Suite.

FREE SURF LESSONS

FREE SURF LESSONS

Children over 11 years and adults staying during the school holidays (excluding February half term) get a FREE surf lesson! Plus during the summer holidays we offer free Junior Surfing once a week for ages 5-10 years, and guests staying over a Saturday June - September are also entitled to a free surf lesson. You can book your surf lessons when our Guest Relations give you a call the week prior to your arrival. Also, there are a number of pro one-to-one coaches if you want to seriously develop your technique. Walking On Waves Surf School, extend special rates for our guests, see below.

Note: You can SAVE 10% on all private surf lessons when you book with Walking on Waves. 

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BOARD STORE

BOARD STORE

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. Plus, we have an outdoor shower to rinse off, so as to keep your room or apartment slightly less sandy!

Surf Hire

Surf Hire

If you want to hire gear, our friends at Saunton Surf Hire 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.

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!

View Surf Cam at Saunton.

Just around the corner, Croyde Bay at low tide is world-class, boasting A-frame barrels and renowned as probably the best beachbreak 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!