South West Surfing Spots

Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned professional, there’s no denying the appeal of surfing. The South West is notorious for its surfing spots, and there’s no better way to spend the summer than in water right on our doorstep. We’ve rounded up five of the best South West surfing spots to help you plan your summer activities.

Fistral Beach

Situated on the northern coast of Cornwall in Newquay, Fistral Beach is widely acknowledged as the home of British surfing. The consistency and quality of the surf makes it a firm favourite with surfers of all levels. Whether you’re looking for a calm sea to practice on or an adrenaline-filled day to surf Newquay’s big wave The Cribbar, Fistral Beach is the place to be.

Croyde Bay

Located on the picturesque North Devon coastline, Croyde Bay is renowned as a world class surfing beach. Steeped in surfing history, Croyde Bay is notorious for its consistent surfing conditions year-round, and its accompanying surf school means surfers of all abilities can enjoy the waves. The rocky cliffs and golden sand dunes provide a breath-taking backdrop to enjoy while you’re out on the waves, and the local surf community in the nearby village of Croyde is a must-visit for fans of the sport.

Perranporth Beach

With three miles of expansive sandy shores, Perranporth provides ample space for surfers to catch waves. Looking out at the Atlantic Ocean, It’s popular among both locals and visitors and is home to several surf schools. Perranporth is the perfect beach for beginners or those who are new to the sport, and is generally regarded as being better for surfing in the summer.

Woolacombe

Woolacombe Beach offers visitors three miles of golden sands, and welcomes every surfer from beginner to pro! The surf works at all tide levels due to the variety of peaks along the shore, but if you fancy something a little more challenging, you can head over to Baggy Point, where you’ll find the sheltered Putsborough.

Gwithian

Situated north of the infamous St Ives Bay, Gwithian is a picturesque spot sheltered from the harsh winds. The sea is very rarely flat here, so you’re almost guaranteed to catch a wave whenever you visit. While it welcomes beginners, Gwithian tends to attract the more experience surfers. The best waves to surf appear when there’s a north coast swell with south-easterly winds, which creates long walling waves.

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