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.



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!
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.
