a better croyde guide for surfers

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Where is Croyde?

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Offshore A-frame perfection

Croyde in North Devon is one of the best (if not the best) surfing beach in the U.K. It catches pretty much the same swell as Fistral and Sennen in nearby Cornwall. (source Wavefax) CROYDE BEACH itself is about 3/4 mile wide and is framed by Baggy Point to the north and Downend Point to the south.

Easterly winds and solid groundswell - perfection!

The village of Croyde lies about 1/2 mile back from the beach. Moor Lane (better known as Croyde Bay) connects the village to the north end of the beach and the National Trust owned Baggy Point. Moor Lane is also home to CROYDE BAY SURF SHOP. We are the little pink shop just out of the village on the bay road.

Double overhead low tide barrel...not for the unwary.

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World Class waves right here in the U.K.

   Croyde beach is particularly famous for it's low tide 'barrels'. Atlantic groundswell, especially when coupled with an offshore (easterly) wind, combine with sandbanks on the steepest sector of the beach to produce waves of world class quality. Surfing is possible throughout the tidal range but low tide is always gnarliest. This is the most dangerous time for swimmers and inexperienced surfers. The waves are heavier, the rips are stronger and (under 6 foot) the crowds and intensify. Respect the locals.

Shape is more important than size..it does't have to be big to be good.

   In reality the novice would be safer and have more fun on any of the other beaches in the area but for many low tide Croyde is their reason for living! The best peaks are usually to the north of the stream (the Croyde Bay end). South of the stream (Downend) can be a bit more sketchy however it has been working well recently. Especially on spring lows there is often an excellent left that starts off the rocks at Downend then grinds into a typical low tide barrel as it reaches the beach.

Downend is sometimes the best part of the beach at high tide.....

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   With its exposed westerly outlook and steep low tide drop off Croyde usually picks up more swell than anywhere else in N. Devon. This does mean it gets blown out easily (i.e. spoilt by westerlies), and can be deceptively dangerous in stormy conditions. If the winds are from the south/southwest then check nearby Putsborough. If the winds are from the north/northwest then check nearby Saunton. You will find an interactive map here.

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Storm conditions...big waves but not surfable waves. Look for somewhere cleaner.

Croyde is a fairly small bay and large swells set up some strong currents. In conditions like these you may want to look for somewhere smaller...very few people surfed Croyde on this day.

(novices should stick to the sandy part of the beach and avoid low tide if over 3 feet of surf)

click here to go to Beach Safety

   Parking & Amenities- For Croyde Bay end park either in "The Burrows" car park (almost exactly opposite entrance to Ruda campsite) or The National Trust Baggy Point car park just beyond the top of the beach.

   Saturdays and Sundays in season it is possible to park in John Symonds market field which lies between the other two. There is also a controlled area of roadside parking for about 10 cars at the top of the beach. May to September this is limited to 1 hour.

Low tide barrel

   There are public toilets at the top of the beach (Baggy Point end) but the old supermarket and chip shop are now gone. There is a supermarket and takeaway however on the nearby Ruda Holiday Park otherwise Brook Stores in the village have a bakery we can recommend as it is used extensively by CROYDE BAY SURFING staff! Our shop is located on the approach road (Moor lane) to the beach at the Baggy Point end. This is the same road that leads to Ruda, Cascades and Baggy Point. We hire surfboards, wetsuits etc. More details click here.

The sandbanks at Baggy end produce the best waves.

For Downend use the Downend car park, It's now open all year round and has a beach shop and public toilets.

Empty perfection at high tide Downend.

Could you? Would you? Waves as good as anywhere in the world!

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   Water Quality- Is no longer an issue at Croyde. 2003 saw the opening of a new sewage treatment plant with full U.V. disinfection. Croyde beach is one of the few privately owned beaches in the U.K. One of the benefits this has brought about is a regular and organized beach cleaning regime.

Clean or what?

   The owners operate a dog ban during the summer months but it is permitted to walk the coastal footpaths (which cross the beach) with a dog on a lead provided that you carry a pooper-scooper. (Ł1000 council fine for fouling!)

Local Video Downloads (Mpeg movies)

low tide barrel shape not size! Empty Empty

Right Click on frame and "Save Target As"

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CROYDE SURF-SPOTS
SURFER'S MAP Where is Croyde?	This is a free service brought to you by The Little Pink Shop