Croyde

Croyde works best on a west swell with an east-south-east wind, which blows offshore there. It is a beachbreak with shifting peaks over sand and rock, and rides run about 50 to 100m. Best tide: Low to mid on the push; fat and backwashy at high. In 2023–2025 the wind blew offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 27% of days, and Croyde had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 62% of days.

February is the most reliable month at Croyde: in 2023–2025 it had good surf (3+ stars) on 47% of days. The best run of months is January, February and March, and winter (December to February) is the strongest season overall. Offshore winds are most common in April, when they blow for 4+ daylight hours on 44% of days. For good winter days, Croyde ranks 4th of the 14 Devon breaks we track. Winter is the most consistent, with 79% of days rideable, but the water is coldest then.

Often not: Croyde was flat on 29% of June to August days in 2023–2025, so keep a summer trip flexible. Good (3+ star) days made up 4% of summer, and August was the best summer month (35% rideable). The sea reaches about 18°C by late summer. For summer consistency it ranks 4th of the 14 Devon breaks we track.

At Croyde you need a 5/4 from December to April, a 4/3 in May and in November and a 3/2 from June to October. Wear boots through the 5/4 months, and add a hood and gloves from January to March, when the sea is under 10°C. From July to September a spring suit will do on warm days. In February, the coldest month, Croyde had good surf on 47% of days, against 3% in August. The sea is coldest in February at about 9°C and warmest in August at about 18°C, while the air reaches about 10°C on a February afternoon.

On a typical day the best surf at Croyde is about 4ft in winter and 2.1ft in summer. It was 8ft or bigger on 4% of days in 2023–2025, most often in January. It was flat on 14% of days, most often in June.

Yes, on small days. Croyde has sandy footing and spots for learners, but it gets powerful as the swell builds. The gentlest months that still have surf are April, May and September.

Yes when it's small, but know this. Strong rips at low tide, especially near the rocks. The south end by Downend has rocks just under the surface. Expect a crowded line-up. Lifeguards cover it in season (check RNLI dates).

Very busy: one of the most crowded breaks in the UK. For more room, try Saunton Sands (4 km away) and Westward Ho! (10 km away).

Pay car parks in the village and behind the beach, and a National Trust car park at Baggy Point.

Leave the M5 at junction 27 and take the A361 to Braunton, then follow signs to Croyde. Barnstaple station is about 25 minutes away and buses run to the village. No bus stops are mapped within a kilometre, so most people drive.

Big campsites and holiday parks behind the dunes, plus B&Bs in Croyde, Georgeham and Braunton.

Close to Croyde: Saunton Sands for a long, gentle ride and Woolacombe just over the headland.