Saunton Sands

Saunton Sands in North Devon is one of the UK’s best-known beach breaks, set on a long, sweeping expanse of sand in the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere area. It’s a big, open beach with plenty of room, which makes it feel less crowded than many more famous surf spots, even when the waves are good.

What it’s like

• Wave type: Mostly a beach break with sandbanks that shift through the seasons.
• Best for: Beginners to advanced surfers, depending on the size and power of the swell.
• Wave quality: Can be very playful and clean when conditions line up, with long, rideable peaks across the beach.
• Swell exposure: It picks up a decent amount of swell from the Atlantic, so it can work well on smaller to medium swells and still handle larger pulses.

Conditions

• Best wind: Offshore easterly / northeasterly winds tend to groom the waves nicely.
• Best tide: Often works across a range of tides, but mid tide is commonly a good starting point.
• Swell: Works best with west to northwest swell.
• Crowds: Can get busy on good days, especially in summer and at peak times, but the size of the beach helps spread people out.

Vibe and access

• The beach is broad, sandy, and scenic, with dunes behind it and views across Bideford Bay.
• It’s an easy-access spot with good parking nearby, which makes it popular with surfers, families, and walkers.
• Because it’s so open, it’s also a good place for surf schools and learning the basics.

Things to watch out for

• Rips can form, especially when the surf is bigger.
• The waves and sandbanks can change quickly, so the best bank today may not be the best tomorrow.
• At low tide, waves can become faster and hollower; at higher tides, they may soften up.