Saunton Sands Surfing in Devon

Saunton Sands is a three-mile sweep of beach south of Croyde — gentler, longer, sandier — and the best longboarding wave in England. It's the natural choice for beginners stepping up from a school, intermediate surfers wanting volume, and longboarders looking for the slow, peeling wall the place is known for.

What to expect

A gentle, mellow beach break that picks up the same swells as Croyde but breaks more softly. Best at mid-tide on a small-to-medium swell; lower tides flatten out the wave at most sizes. The beach is long enough that on a busy day you can walk a mile and have your own peak. Conditions are forgiving for beginners but the wave has enough shape that experienced longboarders genuinely seek it out.

Practical notes

Surfable year-round; spring and autumn give the best balance of size and uncrowded line-ups. Walking on Waves and Saunton Sands Hotel both run schools from the beach. There's one car park and one cafe — the Beachside Grill — and not much else, which keeps the beach feeling spacious even on summer weekends. Wetsuit: same as Croyde. The Saunton Sands Hotel is a worthwhile post-surf stop for tea on the terrace.

Getting there car-free

The nearest railway station is Barnstaple on the Tarka Line from Exeter. From the station, buses run out through Braunton, the village just inland of Saunton, and on along the coast road that passes the top of Saunton Sands — making this one of the more straightforward North Devon beaches to reach by public transport.

Can you get to Saunton Sands without a car?

Yes. Train to Barnstaple, then a bus via Braunton along the coast road that runs right past the beach. The long, gently shelving sands make Saunton popular with beginners and longboarders arriving without a car.