Saunton surf has made its name because it’s like Devon’s beginner mecca. That’s a bit of a misnomer because the town gets heavy sets in winter and stays good then because of protection from N winds. It’s a stunning spot either way, with almost zero localism.
An introduction to Saunton surf
Long, wide, windy Saunton Sands is a must if you’re traveling up and down the North Devon shoreline, no matter your level. Yes, this untamed beach has made its name as a stomping ground for the county’s top surf schools but it’s actually a fantastic all-rounder, with the potential to kick out long peeling shoulders out back while its mushy beginner magic inside.
The seasons play a key role in what you can expect at Saunton. Winter days can be massive and totally blown out (though Devon has crevices and nooks to cater to that!). Summer can be tiny and flat. Mostly, though there’s something on offer because of the sheer reliability of a beach so exposed to the Atlantic.
The beach itself isn’t built up like neigboring bays like Croyde. There’s no town here to be heard of. You can either choose to stay in tiny Saunton village, jostle for one of the sought-after cottages on the shoreline by Saunton itself, or bring a car and stay in a neighbouring Devonshire surf town – Croyde and Woolacombe both work.
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!
This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in North Devon and in England
Saunton at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to surfing in Saunton?
Where is Saunton?
Saunton Sands is located in North Devon, England, along the western coast. A prominent beach, it stretches for miles with golden sands and dunes. Situated approximately 210 miles west of London and about 90 miles northwest of Exeter, it’s accessible primarily via the M5 motorway, followed by the A361 road.
Once in the region, clear signposts guide visitors to the beach. Its proximity to other renowned beaches, like Croyde and Woolacombe, makes it a notable stop in the area and a common addition to Devonshire surf trips.
Saunton surf spots
Woolacombe
Long Woolacombe stands as the foremost and most open beach break in North Devon. A quintessential regional gem, it showcases intense waves and presents a challenging paddle during winter. Yet, during warmer, calmer months, it can soften out to give sets that are just as fun if you’re bringing the minimal or a 5″6 nugget. Great town with a nice selection of pubs, only 20 minutes’ drive north from Saunton Sands’ north end.
We have a complete guide to surfing in Woolacombe
Putsborough
Putsborough is essentially the southern tip of Woolacombe Beach. Benefiting from the backdrop of the rising headland, it enjoys significant shelter, making it dependable during strong SW channel winds. However, this same shelter can lessen the surf intensity. Yet, with waves exceeding 5 feet, you’ll find enjoyable lefts off the rocks, which might be softer but still entertaining.
Read our full guide to surfing in Putsborough right now
Croyde
Croyde positions Devon prominently in the surfing world. It’s Devon’s counterpart to Cornwall’s renowned Fistral Beach and offers an impressive break when conditions align. The bay frequently receives direct westerly groundswells, especially from September to March. Ideal conditions? Chilly autumn mornings with a brisk easterly wind and waves reaching 7 feet. Get there at low tide when that’s on and you’ll see barrels that pound over like something out of Hossegor. We like it as a surf town, especially for families because of the sheer abundance of cracking coast cottages on the menu.
Read our full guide to surfing in Croyde
Saunton Sands
Saunton Sands is the longest of the three main surf beaches in this section of North Devon. It beats even Woolacombe on the size front, and is a spectacular sweep of biscuit-colored powder to behold, with wild dunes behind and just a smattering of cozy coast cottages studding the cliffs.
The beach has a rep for being one of the best places to learn in Devon. We can see why. The holiday months – June to August – bring conditions that are just about perfect for it, plus there’s none of the local aggro that you can get up in Croyde. We’d still recommend learners to stick to the inside of the bay and about 100m down from the top cliffs, which can be quite rippy.
When the Atlantic starts kicking off in the autumn and huge SW swells run through, Saunton will get big but there’s fine protection from N winds thanks to the Down End headland and that helps the top of the bay to hold shape and size.
Saunton won’t hold like Croyde, so big 10+ footers are best chased either in the bay to the north or – if they combine with strong onshores (W) – then around the top coast of North Devon in Lynmouth or something.
When it works best in winter, Saunton offers more playful waves than its compadres. They tend to stay fatter and peel a bit more off forgiving peaks.
Where to stay when surfing in Saunton?
The one thing Saunton doens’t have compared to say, Croyde, is an overload of places to stay right on the sands. There are actually just a few rental options, many in the sea-view complex of Ocean Point. If you can, get one of them. If not, there are options in the surrounding area, but a car will be neccessary.
- 16 Ocean Point – A two-bedroom apartment with some of the best views in the whole of North Devon, and we don’t say that lightly. This sumptuous flat is a gift if you can get it (it’s unsurprisingly often booked up!). It’s modern, stylish, and spacious and gazes right over the north end of Saunton beach.
- The Old Coach House – One of the best options in the region for families and groups, this converted coach house sleeps up to 12. It’s in Braunton, about 10 minutes’ driving from the beach. All recently redone and looking downright gorgeous!
Step-by-step guide to planning your Saunton surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the Saunton 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 Saunton?
Saunton Sands, echoing the pattern of North Devon, offers consistency rivalling top global surf spots. Essentially, if the Atlantic is active, Saunton Sands will be active. This ensures that there’s seldom an off day for surfing; it merely varies with the seasons catering to diverse skill levels.
Summertime is earmarked for newcomers and it’s when Saunton really shines. Waves during this period average between 2-7 feet and its when the surf schools work their magic for all ages. You can usually expect something quite tame even out back, though there’s always plenty of whitewash on the inside if you do happen on something big in July or Aug.
As the leaves fall and winter sets in, the Atlantic’s NW and W swell corridors become more animated. The Bay of Biscay’s turbulent weather churns up massive SW waves, and Saunton Sands will get bigger. What makes it exceptional for winter surfing is the northern protection afforded by the headland, which can keep strong midwinter winds off the sets.
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!
