Croyde:
Over the past two decades Croyde has become one of the UK’s most popular surf destinations. In the summer the crowds can be daunting, with the line-up packed by wave riders of all abilities and ages. The reason for the draw – this is the first high quality beach break accessible to those heading southwest for a long weekend or a surfing vacation. The beach itself is hemmed in by Downend Point to the south and Baggy Point to the north. The currents and swells conspire to produce heavy, low tide barrels and excellent waves as the tides pushes in. Bigger swells see the numbers thin out as the locals dominate. Average swell size here tend to be a bit smaller than in Cornwall, but six foot Croyde can offer Hossegor like conditions – catch it good and you’ll see just why it’s so popular.
Putsborough:
Follow the narrow, winding road from Croyde for five minutes and the huge expanse of beach at Putsborough will open out before your eyes. This quality beach break, at the southern end of Woolacombe Sands, can throw up some decent banks and in a solid swell can deliver hollow rides almost on a par with its better-known and more crowded neighbour, Croyde. The huge mass of Baggy Point, at the southern end of the bay, offers protection from the wrath of southerly and southwesterly winds that can wreck the nearby spots, although it also means that the waves are usually 1-2 ft smaller. Parking on the seafront.
Lynmouth:
Nestled beneath tree shrouded cliffs, at the mouth of a lush, shady valley, sits the classic Devonshire village of Lynmouth, home to what many consider one of the UK’s best point breaks. Due to its sheltered, northerly perspective, it takes a large northwesterly or westerly swell to shake this sleeping point awake. When these conditions combine with light southerly/southeasterly winds, long lefts wind down the boulder point, generating walls that reel for over 300m. As one of the few sheltered spots on this coastline, when it goes off, the crowds are usually on it and the car park quickly fills up. When Lynmouth is big, a well-timed paddle out is essential. On it’s day, classic.