Indeed, talking with many of the local surfers around Croyde and Woolacombe, they say come Friday night and especially when there’s a bit of swell coming, loads of estate cars turn up with their boards. Croyde seems to suffer worse than Woolacombe in that it attracts more people so making for more crowded conditions. The other main beach, Woolacombe again draws its fair share of crowds but as it’s such a massive beach, at two miles long, it can offer a selection of choice peaks at various stages of the tide. At the southern end of Woolacombe is Putsborough which can really deliver and is worth checking as the banks can be very good.

If your plan is to explore what North Devon has to offer aside from just staying at the main towns, then there are plenty of hidden spots which can be awesome, but of course we’re not going to tell you where these are, but seek and ye shall find. Just remember to respect the locals and deploy etiquette in the line-up. The downside with North Devon, and just like Cornwall, is the crowd factor. On a good day at Croyde, particularly in the summer, the beach can be absolutely packed. The standard of surfing is very high, but in spring, autumn and winter you can still can get a fair chunk of waves and manage to escape the crowds. Getting around this stretch of Devon will inevitably mean getting stuck behind your fair share of tractors too and access to some spots is down little tracks, so allow plenty of time and don’t get too frustrated at the speed of the traffic, you’re in the West Country now.

Main Spots:

Croyde: Probably the most popular spot in the area. On its day Croyde can fire and offer top quality waves. The main problem with Croyde is the crowd factor, so early and late surfs are a good idea. It’s offshore in an easterly and pumping on a westerly groundswell and can get very hollow at low tide. The standard is high here, so if you don’t feel comfortable check out somewhere mellower like Saunton. The village itself is lovely and features many thatched properties and for nightlife and eating and drinking, Billy Budd’s and The Thatch are very popular with surfers.

Saunton: An enormous stretch of coast which works on all stages of tide. It’s offshore on an easterly but doesn’t have the best banks yet the waves peel gently but can lack power. It’s popular with longboarders and is a good place for beginners. Croyde or Braunton are the closest places to stay.  

Woolacombe: Again a massive stretch of beach which is offshore on an easterly wind and westerly groundswell. It works on most stages of tide and is less crowded than Croyde. It’s a busy town with loads going on in the summer with many good places to eat and drink such as the ever popular Red Barn and newer restaurants like West Beach which specialises in top quality local caught seafood. They also do cracking BBQs in the summer.

Putsborough: I suppose you could technically class this as Woolacombe as it’s right at the end of this stretch of beach but this gets more protection from the winds particularly when it’s a south westerly. It’s best from mid to high tide and can get very good. On bigger swells it tends to get a bit rippy so watch for that. You can park right by the beach but it’s a very narrow road down to it so don’t drive too fast and the only other downside is that it’ll cost you £5.00 to park your car. The best bet to stay and go out is Woolacombe or Croyde and there are plenty of choices on offer.

Lynmouth: Tucked away about 30 minutes north of Barnstaple, this can be, on its day, one of the best point breaks in the country. If there’s a meaty swell at the main beaches (over 5ft) then lovely long lefts up to 300 metres can be ridden. It needs lightish winds from the south and south east and a north westerly swell to be properly on and works at all stages of tide, though it’s best coming off low. It’s definitely a wave for the more experienced surfer though as there are rips, rocks and plenty of people to avoid!

Westward Ho!: Not the best, but it can have its good day. Again swell needs to come from the west and it’s offshore on an easterly wind and because it’s not as good as the other spots is generally much less crowded. It works through the tide and is a good beach for inexperienced surfers. Accommodation and loads of good places to eat can be found in Bideford.

Buck’s Mill: A pretty little village full of thatched cottages. The wave here can be a peach when big swells are pounding the other spots. This reef break is offshore in a southerly wind and the sweet lefthander works best at low tide but it can get very crowded and brings out all the decent surfers in the area.

Porlock Weir: This break needs a huge swell for it to work and is offshore in southerly and south westerly winds. It’s quite tricky to get to but worth the walk as when it’s on it’s fast and punchy.

Speke’s Mill: Another tricky spot to access, this reef break offers lefts and rights but it does get crowded and is dominated by the locals so show courtesy and respect.

 

THINGS TO DO WHEN IT’S FLAT

Lundy Island: Well worth a visit and you get to hang out with puffins

The Big Sheep: Kids will love it and there’s mountain boarding and sheep!

South Molton Skate Park: A great place to spend the day

Paintballing, Torrington: Attack your mates with a volley of paintballs

North Devon Karting Centre: Pretend you’re the next Michael Schumacher

Golf: Loads of courses on offer from top class to pitch and putt

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