Woolacombe
Today · Tue 22 Sept · 04:20
Quality
Swell
1.2ft
Tide
Weather
6-day surf report
Updated Tue 22 Sept 04:20
Now · Tue 22
CloudFlat
1.2ft
5s
Wed 23
CloudPoor
2.4ft
12s
Thu 24
ClearPoor
2.2ft
9s
Fri 25
CloudFun
3.3ft
10s
Sat 26
CloudFun
3.3ft
10s
Sun 27
CloudFun
3.0ft
8s
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, 16°, 3kt ENE.
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 and a touch more sheltered in a north wind.
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
