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Woolacombe

Devon · Beach · Faces NW · Updated 4h ago
3-4ft
Next 24 hours
Swell 0.786m 6.75s W
Wind 12mph 14mph WSW · Cross-shore
Weather 15°C Clear sky · 1021mb
Tide 20:34 9.0m Low 14:06 (1.2m) · Light 05:50–20:09
Water 19°C 2mm wetsuit
Sand Mid tide 2-8ft All levels — gentle rollers at north end, more power near Putsborough in south Best swell W - NW

Woolacombe is a three-mile golden sand beach in North Devon, one of the UK's most popular surfing destinations. Facing north-west, it catches Atlantic swells and offers waves for all abilities — from gentle rollers at the north end to punchier peaks near Putsborough in the south. Works best around mid tide. Multiple surf schools and consistent year-round conditions make it ideal for learning.

AI Surf Overview

Conditions look mixed today with moderate onshore wind and a dropping swell period through the afternoon. Best bet is the early morning push before the wind picks up. Tomorrow looks cleaner with a slight shift in direction.

08:14 8.9m 20:34 9.0m 01:55 1.0m 14:06 1.2m
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
07:00
3-4ft
0.913m 6.35s
0.84m 6.09s
Cross-on
10mph 11mph
14°C
13:00
2-3ft
0.613m 7.58s
0.2m 4.02s
Cross-on
15mph 19mph
16°C
19:00
3-4ft
0.668m 5.74s
0.48m 7.45s
Cross-shore
14mph 20mph
18°C
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
07:00
3-4ft
0.769m 5.51s
0.057m 17.38s
Cross-shore
14mph 24mph
15°C 0.1mm
13:00
5-6ft
0.19m 10.83s
0.24m 6.8s
Cross-shore
24mph 34mph
18°C 0.6mm
19:00
5-6ft
0.924m 9.14s
0.06m 6.22s
Cross-shore
15mph 29mph
18°C
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
07:00
5-6ft
0.834m 10.07s
0.01m 2.48s
Cross-shore
17mph 20mph
17°C
13:00
4-5ft
0.557m 11.95s
0.13m 5.65s
Cross-shore
16mph 26mph
19°C
19:00
4-5ft
0.67m 9.67s
0.038m 10.25s
Cross-shore
17mph 25mph
19°C 0.1mm
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
07:00
6-7ft
0.634m 12.19s
0.07m 6.84s
Cross-on
17mph 30mph
18°C 0.2mm
13:00
4-5ft
1.25m 7.68s
0.062m 11.67s
Cross-on
12mph 27mph
19°C 0.1mm
19:00
4-5ft
1.246m 7.49s
0.08m 9.93s
Onshore
12mph 14mph
19°C
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
07:00
2-3ft
0.81m 7.95s
0.08m 14.3s
Onshore
8mph 20mph
18°C
13:00
2-3ft
0.67m 8.18s
0.09m 14.2s
Cross-shore
7mph 27mph
19°C 0.2mm

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Woolacombe Surf Spot Guide

Everything you need to know before paddling out at Woolacombe, England.

Break typeBeach
SeabedSand
Best swell directionW - NW
Optimal wave size2-8ft
Best tideMid
Ability levelAll levels — gentle rollers at north end, more power near Putsborough in south

Hazards & Safety

Rips on bigger days. Beach gets very crowded in summer — watch for swimmers.

Local Tips

Best around mid tide. The north end near the village is gentler — good for beginners. Walk south towards Putsborough for better shaped waves and fewer people. Three miles of beach means there's always space if you're willing to walk.

Getting There

Multiple car parks along the beach road. Short walk to sand.

Parking: Multiple pay & display car parks. Marine Drive car park closest to waves.

Facilities: Toilets, showers, surf schools, shops, restaurants throughout the village.

Crowds

Very busy in summer — one of the UK's most popular beaches. Quieter at south end.

Water Temperature by Month

Jan 9°C 5/4
Feb 8°C 5/4
Mar 9°C 5/4
Apr 10°C 5/4
May 11°C 4/3
Jun 13°C 4/3
Jul 15°C 3/2
Aug 16°C 3/2
Sep 15°C 3/2
Oct 13°C 4/3
Nov 11°C 4/3
Dec 10°C 5/4

Water temperatures and recommended wetsuit thickness by month

Tide data from Woolacombe

2026-09-01
08:14 8.9m 20:34 9.0m 01:55 1.0m 14:06 1.2m
2026-09-02
08:48 8.6m 21:11 8.5m 02:27 1.3m 14:38 1.6m
2026-09-03
09:26 8.2m 21:54 8.0m 03:01 1.8m 15:15 2.1m
2026-09-04
10:13 7.6m 22:50 7.3m 03:42 2.3m 16:06 2.7m
2026-09-05
11:21 7.1m 04:44 2.9m 17:37 3.2m
2026-09-06
00:15 6.9m 13:02 6.9m 06:32 3.3m 19:38 3.1m
2026-09-07
02:02 7.0m 14:43 7.4m 08:20 3.0m 21:11 2.5m

Average daily wave height and wind speed from past forecast data. Updates as more data is collected.

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HomeForecast › Woolacombe
Woolacombe
Devon · Beach · Faces NW
3-4ft
Current surf height
3-4ft today
Next 24 hours

Woolacombe is a three-mile golden sand beach in North Devon, one of the UK's most popular surfing destinations. Facing north-west, it catches Atlantic swells and offers waves for all abilities — from gentle rollers at the north end to punchier peaks near Putsborough in the south. Works best around mid tide. Multiple surf schools and consistent year-round conditions make it ideal for learning.

Swell
0.786m 6.75s
W
Wind
12mph / 14
WSW · Cross-shore
Weather
15°C
Clear sky
Tide
20:34
Low 14:06
Water
19°C
2mm
AI Surf Overview

Conditions look mixed today with moderate onshore wind and a dropping swell period through the afternoon. Best bet is the early morning push before the wind picks up.

Today
3-4ft
Tomorrow
3-5ft
Thursday
4-5ft
Friday
4-7ft
Best
Saturday
2-3ft
Rating
Surf
Swell
Wind
1am
3-4ft
1.15m 9.5s
12 / 13 Cross-on
15°
4am
4-5ft
1.3m 9.4s
12 / 16 Cross-on
15°
7am
3-4ft
0.913m 6.35s
10 / 11 Cross-on
14°
10am
3-4ft
0.786m 6.75s
12 / 14 Cross-shore
15°
1pm
2-3ft
0.613m 7.58s
15 / 19 Cross-on
16°
4pm
2-3ft
0.632m 6.82s
16 / 20 Cross-shore
18°
7pm
3-4ft
0.668m 5.74s
14 / 20 Cross-shore
18°
10pm
2-3ft
0.545m 5.39s
14 / 16 Cross-shore
16°
High 08:14 8.9m High 20:34 9.0m Low 01:55 1.0m Low 14:06 1.2m
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Tide data from Woolacombe

2026-09-01
08:14 8.9m 20:34 9.0m 01:55 1.0m 14:06 1.2m
2026-09-02
08:48 8.6m 21:11 8.5m 02:27 1.3m 14:38 1.6m
2026-09-03
09:26 8.2m 21:54 8.0m 03:01 1.8m 15:15 2.1m
2026-09-04
10:13 7.6m 22:50 7.3m 03:42 2.3m 16:06 2.7m
2026-09-05
11:21 7.1m 04:44 2.9m 17:37 3.2m
2026-09-06
00:15 6.9m 13:02 6.9m 06:32 3.3m 19:38 3.1m
2026-09-07
02:02 7.0m 14:43 7.4m 08:20 3.0m 21:11 2.5m
Jan 5/4
Feb 5/4
Mar 5/4
Apr 10° 5/4
May 11° 4/3
Jun 13° 4/3
Jul 15° 3/2
Aug 16° 3/2
Sep 15° 3/2
Oct 13° 4/3
Nov 11° 4/3
Dec 10° 5/4

Water temp & wetsuit by month

Average daily wave height and wind speed from past forecast data

Break Beach
Seabed Sand
Best swell W - NW
Best tide Mid
Size 2-8ft
Level All levels — gentle rollers at north end, more power near Putsborough in south
Hazards

Rips on bigger days. Beach gets very crowded in summer — watch for swimmers.

Local Tips

Best around mid tide. The north end near the village is gentler — good for beginners. Walk south towards Putsborough for better shaped waves and fewer people. Three miles of beach means there's always space if you're willing to walk.

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