South Devon beach guides.

South Devon is a different kind of surf trip. The coast faces south and south-west, so it is sheltered from small north Atlantic swells and comes alive when a good south-west swell pushes up the Channel, usually in autumn and winter. In summer it can be flat for days, so treat it as a place to surf when the forecast lines up rather than a guaranteed daily surf.

Bantham is the headline break, a sandy beach at the mouth of the River Avon with a peaky wave that attracts surfers from across the South West. Bigbury-on-Sea sits beside Burgh Island and offers a wide beach with space on a mid-size swell, and Challaborough is a smaller, quieter bay close by that is useful when the bigger beaches are busy.

Offshore winds from the north and north-east are what make these beaches work, so a cold, clear winter day with a south-westerly swell is often the best of the year. Check the tide as well, because several beaches handle only certain stages of it. Always check the flags and surf where lifeguards are on duty in season.

The surrounding area, with Salcombe, Kingsbridge and the South Hams, gives you plenty to do on flat days: coast path walks, estuary boat trips, cafes and pubs. Use the table below to compare the beaches, then open a guide for parking, lessons, hire and where to stay.

Surf lessons in South Devon · Surf hire in South Devon · Where to stay in South Devon