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.
Train, parking, drive…
- Train
- Barnstaple (GWR from Exeter), then bus 21 to Braunton, then short taxi
- Parking
- Saunton Sands beach car park, large, pay-and-display
- Postcode
- EX33 1LQ
- Drive
- ~4h from London, ~1h from Exeter
- Car-free?
- Possible
Transport details are best-effort and worth double-checking on the day — rural buses and station services change with the timetable.
If you’ve got an extra day…
- South West Coast Path Hike along the headland
- Croyde Bay Surfing on a bigger-swell day
- After-surf cream tea at the Saunton Sands Hotel
Plan it yourself.
The most authoritative sources we know of for this break — routes, conditions, governing bodies and operators. Open in a new tab.
