The Atlantic Highway, a winding asphalt road that connects Devon with Cornwall, cuts through beautiful natural scenery. Did you know that there are places in Cornwall and Devon where you can go surfing?
You can see vendors of boards, wax, and waves driving up and down the highway with wild eyes and frothing mouths, in search of the best the area has to provide.
Here’s a list of some of the best surf spots in Cornwall and Devon.
Surfing in Cornwall and Devon
Surf hotspots in Cornwall and Devon are a great place to meet local surfers.
Croyde
Croyde, in North Devon, is a popular beach break for surfing when the swell is raging. There will be both amateur and professional surfers, but the rips can make it a bit hairy.
Parking is available at both ends. The downs end parking lot has a cafe and board rentals. It’s a great spot for photographers, even if you are just there to watch.
There is also a surf shop and pub further down the road.
Saunton Sands
This point break is for those who prefer to longboard and like more predictable waves.
The beach is long, ideal for dog walking and popular for film productions. The burrows look like the moon made of sand. The beach has a café, equipment rental and beach huts for hire.
There are plenty of parking spaces available at reasonable prices. You don’t need to worry about finding a spot.
You can see this beach best from the road leading to Croyde. In between the two beaches, there are some point breaks that are less crowded for experienced surfers. Wind surfers will also find some good options.
Puttsborough
If the wind is blowing, the waves will also be protected.
Parking is available but it’s more expensive in the summer at PS9 and in the winter at PS7.
As you surf back to shore, the giant headland that separates Croyde from Putts looks like a mythical killer whale. All levels of surfers will enjoy this. Also available are surf hire, camping and other amenities.
Westward Ho!
Kitesurfing has become the name of the sport. Kitesurfers are known to terrorize the oceans on windy days. They do so at speeds that leave the surfers wondering if they’ve got it wrong.
Sporting is the only place in UK that has an exclamation point in the title. It’s easy to understand why on wild days.
A friendly kit rental shop is open year-round and offers a wide range of affordable and stylish clothing.
Bude
This stunning coastline in Bude is made up of several different surf spots, including Sandymouth Bay and Summerleaze.
The ever-changing feel and look of the beaches, which comes with changing tides, is exciting to surfers. The excitement at Bude is particularly poignant. The way that the tide comes and covers everything right up to the cliffs can be nerve-wracking, but it also provides some unique surf spots. These sections and breaks are formed between the jagged rock formations. It will take some time and experience to get the most from this destination.
It’s ok if there aren’t any waves. Man has built a pool into the rock. Bude is a community-rich surf town that has many things going for it.
Fistral Beach and Crantock Beach
Fistrel Beach is Cornwall’s most famous surf spot. So take a deep breath and wax your board. Crantock Beach is just on the other side, and this is a great stop for surfers.
Newquay’s bay is the ideal place to start surfing and learn how to surf. The bay is always smaller and more sheltered than the beaches. The bay is best at mid-tide, as the low tide tends close off and on high tides it stops working.
The wedge at Tolcarne Beach is the only place where this will work. The Wedge is ideal for bodyboarders at high tide, as the wave wedges itself up on the rocks. Fistrel is a fun place to be. It has lots of energy.