The Putsborough surf is the more protected stuff on offer in famous Woolacombe, one of the most consistent and reliable beach breaks in the whole of England. Great in summer for learners; sheltered in winter for those after something less messy.
An introduction to Putsborough surf
Putsborough is the south side of Woolacombe Beach. It offers something that it’s better-known Devonshire compadre can’t: Shelter from the onshore SW winds. They blow here a lot, both summer and winter, and are notorious for ruining the almost ceaseless sets that roll through at the far end of the bay. Down here, in much-loved Puts, Baggy Point headland is the shelter that’s needed to keep things clean.
The presence of the cliffs works wonders for the wind but it comes with a compromise. S or SW swells have to work really hard to make it in, so there’s usually a foot less on the Putsborough surf than what’s happening in Woolacombe or Croyde. Sometimes, that leaves it flatter than a West Country scone that’s been sat on in the summer, so be ready to travel to find a wave.
Our insight is this: Puts is a top spot to base yourself on a winter trip to Devon because it’s got that shelter. It’s not too far from either Croyde, Woolacombe, or even Lynmouth, which each offer something very different and a clue as to why this corner of England is now a designated World Surfing Reserve.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
Putsborough at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to Putsborough?
Where is Putsborough?
Putsborough is a hamlet located in North Devon, England. It’s situated at the southern end of Woolacombe Bay, between Woolacombe and Croyde. Known for its scenic coastal views, Putsborough is particularly recognized for Putsborough Sands, a sheltered beach that shares the expanse of sand with Woolacombe but offers a more secluded and tranquil setting – AKA protected from the onshores!
Putsborough surf spots
Puttsborough is right in the heart of a run of coast that hosts spectacularly reliable beach breaks – Woolacombe to the north, Croyde to the south. You won’t go hungry here for long.
Lynmouth
If you’ve got a car and are down in North Devon in the winter, there’s one fantastic spot to know about for when the HUGE 15+ foot swells swing through in December and Jan. Cue Lynmouth, a quaint fishing town that hugs the cliffs opposite the Gower in Wales across the Bristol Channel.
The pebble beaches there are flat and cut up by the Lyn River, creating a perfect space for lovely left hander walls to wrap around the cliffs. Can be epic on its day, but its as fickle as they come. All eyes on the forecast.
We have a complete guide to surfing in Lynmouth right here
Woolacombe
Woolacombe is renowned for its prominent beach break on the town’s west side, echoing the characteristics so many Cornish and South Walian spots that rely on the same Atlantic groundswells coming up the Celtic Sea.
Expect consistent, powerful peaks, but be aware: conditions vary significantly.
In winter, with an E or NE wind, expect larger sets and challenging, often distant breaks – a challenging paddle is a given. These conditions produce the iconic Woolacombe slabs. Summer usually offers lighter onshores or cross-shores from the south, with typical 2-4-foot swell. It transforms Woolacombe into an all-level beach, suitable for beginners due to the predictable whitewash.
We have a complete guide to surfing in Woolacombe right here
Putsborough Beach
The south end of Woolacombe is actually one of the favorite hunting grounds for local Devonians because it gets the same ridiculously consistent swell as the north end but adds in the protection from the Baggy Point cliffs.
They are a dream addition when onshores come through in the winter, because those onshores can all but wreck the sets further up the beach. Tuck under the cliffs enough and you’ll get hollowish waves that hold shape way better, even with 15-25 mph winds. The spot works best on a dropping or low tide and there’s usually a pretty strong rip against the rocks, so it’s considered intermediate and up when there’s size around.
When it’s smaller – say, 3-6 foot – and the wind is low, Putsborough Beach will be a dream for mellow rides. We’ve seen it look like something out of East Oz with long, snaking peelers that bend right off the cliffs.
Days when Puts won’t work are when there’s lots of S in the swell, for which its best to move over to South Devon anyhow, or Sennen.
The campsite on the cliffs above is a spectacular place to stay if you can get a pitch.
Croyde
Although Croyde is only a mile from end to end, making it much smaller than Woolacombe, its stature is misleading. This North Devonshire hamlet boasts perhaps the finest surf in the entire county. When the tide recedes and the northwest blows from autumn to spring, Croyde produces beach breaks that can compete with the likes of the French Basque or northern Spain.
Additionally, there are various reefs along the cliffs to the bay’s north and south, which are great for scoring neat A-frames and long peelers depending on the wind and swell direction. It’s not for nothing that it’s hailed as one of the most famous surf towns in England.
We have a complete guide to surfing in Croyde right here
Where to stay when surfing in Putsborough?
A lot of people who come to surf in Putsborough will be staying in Croyde or Woolacombe because they have the lion’s share of the accommodation. But there are some places within reach, especially if you like living out in the country…
- Flat 11 Clifton Court – There aren’t all that many buildings that overlook Putsborough but Clifton Court is right there, hosting a swimming pool and these fantastic self-catering suites that have views down onto the main surf area of the beach.
- Thistledown Lode, Nr Saunton – If you have your own car and don’t mind being a few minutes’ drive from the beach, plump for this gorgeous glamping cabin with its own hot tub on the lush coastal farm fields. It’s cozy, it’s fun, it’s within striking distance of all the best spots in the area.
Step-by-step guide to planning your Putsborough surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the Putsborough surf…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step five: Enjoy!
For paying for stuff when you’re traveling – Get a Wise borderless card/account. They charge NOTHING for POS payments in any country and have some of the best FX rates around in our humble opinion.
When to surf in Putsborough?
Putsborough, like Woolacombe before it, can be a good option all year round. It gets swell in the W-N range off the Atlantic, which is quite reliable. The downside here is the headland chops out any good S or SW swell, but that shouldn’t be too much of a biggie because you can always just drive up to Woolacombe or across to Croyde.
The biggest waves will certainly be in the winter, which is when Puts shines. It shines because SW onshores are the norm and they’re a fraction of what they are at the north end of the beach under these cliffs. In fact, the shelter is so good for maintaining shape in the water that the line ups here can swell a lot when it’s windy as the locals all flock in from Woolacombe and the like.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
