Woolacombe
Updated Fri 6 Nov 14:20
Quality
Swell
0.9ft
Tide
Weather
6-day surf report
Updated Fri 6 Nov 14:20
Now · Fri 6
Cloud0.9ft
9s
Sat 7
Cloud0.9ft
9s
Sun 8
Cloud0.4ft
8s
Mon 9
Cloud2.0ft
7s
Tue 10
Cloud3.0ft
10s
Wed 11
Cloud3.0ft
10s
The beach
Woolacombe
Woolacombe sits on the North Devon run. Swell, wind and tide for this beach and the neighbours, so you can pick a peak before you leave the car park. Today is Cloud, 12°, 9kt ENE, gusts 12.
Long, mellow beach that picks up plenty of swell and gives you room when Croyde is a zoo.
Putsborough at the south end is often cleaner. Baggy Point there cuts S and SW wind and swell.
Faces W. Best swell WSW-NW. Level: all. Crowd: average.
On the sand
Before you paddle out at Woolacombe
Parking
Closest to the sand are Parkin Estates’ Esplanade and Sandy Burrows parks, £6 to £14 a day depending on season, with an early-bird rate if you leave before 1pm or arrive after 4pm. National Trust Marine Drive behind the dunes is £6 winter, £8 mid-season, £10 peak; members park free. No overnight parking in the beach parks.
Hire & lessons
Woolacombe Surf Centre is the accredited school on the promenade, with hire and lessons. Surfing Woolacombe sits on the beach slipway with a shop, hire and coaching. Steve’s Surf Hire is on the same slipway for boards and suits (no lessons).
Vibe
The RNLI calls Woolacombe a family beach with good surf, town facilities, and two bathing areas in peak season when conditions allow. It is the roomy, mellow end of the bay, groms and hire boards in front of the slipway, more space if you walk south.
Access & hazards
RNLI lifeguards patrol 10am-6pm on the published 2026 dates (Easter, then daily 4 May-29 September, plus October weekends and half-term). No flags means no lifeguards. The Met Office rates this beach a high risk of rips.
Sources Woolacombe parking · RNLI Woolacombe · Met Office Woolacombe
