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Woolacombe

Devon · Beach · Faces NW · Updated 5h ago
1-2ft
Next 24 hours
Swell 0.345m 3.02s NW
Wind 6mph 13mph NNE · Cross-shore
Weather 16°C Clear sky · 1019mb
Tide 08:43 9.0m Low 14:38 (1.1m) · Light 04:35–21:24
Water 18°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.

08:43 9.0m 21:00 9.1m 02:28 0.9m 14:38 1.1m
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
07:00
1-2ft
0.196m 3.12s
0.136m 7.98s
Cross-shore
5mph 11mph
16°C
13:00
1ft
0.199m 3.54s
0.129m 7.9s
Cross-shore
10mph 20mph
21°C
19:00
1-2ft
0.129m 7.54s
0.12m 2.93s
Cross-on
20mph 14mph
20°C
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
07:00
1-2ft
0.183m 4.6s
0.113m 9.64s
Cross-off
14mph 15mph
17°C
13:00
1-2ft
0.131m 5.08s
0.095m 9.41s
Cross-shore
14mph 19mph
20°C
19:00
1ft
0.114m 10.11s
0.057m 7.61s
Onshore
16mph 19mph
20°C
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
07:00
1-2ft
0.166m 3.55s
0.101m 5.69s
Cross-shore
12mph 10mph
16°C
13:00
1-2ft
0.263m 5.86s
0.097m 10.08s
Cross-on
8mph 21mph
20°C
19:00
2-3ft
0.164m 6.24s
0.105m 7.78s
Onshore
15mph 21mph
20°C
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
07:00
1-2ft
0.202m 3.41s
0.144m 11.18s
Cross-off
12mph 5mph
17°C
13:00
1-2ft
0.162m 10.22s
0.086m 6.36s
Cross-shore
13mph 13mph
23°C
19:00
1-2ft
0.162m 10.08s
0.072m 11.32s
Onshore
16mph 15mph
22°C
Time
Rating
Surf
Swell
Swell 2
Wind Gusts
Weather
07:00
1-2ft
0.173m 9.99s
0.062m 9.49s
Cross-on
19mph
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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

2026-07-18
08:43 9.0m 21:00 9.1m 02:28 0.9m 14:38 1.1m
2026-07-19
09:23 8.6m 21:40 8.7m 03:06 1.2m 15:15 1.5m
2026-07-20
10:02 8.2m 22:20 8.2m 03:41 1.7m 15:51 1.9m
2026-07-21
10:43 7.7m 23:03 7.6m 04:17 2.2m 16:32 2.4m
2026-07-22
11:30 7.2m 23:55 7.1m 05:00 2.6m 17:25 2.9m
2026-07-23
12:31 6.8m 06:00 3.1m 18:37 3.2m

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
1-2ft
Current surf height
1-2ft 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
0.345m 3.02s
NW
Wind
6mph / 13
NNE · Cross-shore
Weather
16°C
Clear sky
Tide
08:43
Low 14:38
Water
18°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.

Best
Today
1-2ft
Tomorrow
1-2ft
Monday
1-2ft
Tuesday
1-2ft
Wednesday
2ft
Rating
Surf
Swell
Wind
1am
1-2ft
0.325m 4.47s
10 / 8 Onshore
16°
4am
1-2ft
0.345m 3.02s
6 / 13 Cross-shore
16°
7am
1-2ft
0.196m 3.12s
5 / 11 Cross-shore
16°
10am
1-2ft
0.203m 3.34s
7 / 15 Cross-shore
20°
1pm
1ft
0.199m 3.54s
10 / 20 Cross-shore
21°
4pm
1ft
0.129m 7.83s
15 / 17 Onshore
22°
7pm
1-2ft
0.129m 7.54s
20 / 14 Cross-on
20°
10pm
1-2ft
0.336m 4.9s
18 / 15 Cross-on
18°
High 08:43 9.0m High 21:00 9.1m Low 02:28 0.9m Low 14:38 1.1m
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Tide data from Woolacombe

2026-07-18
08:43 9.0m 21:00 9.1m 02:28 0.9m 14:38 1.1m
2026-07-19
09:23 8.6m 21:40 8.7m 03:06 1.2m 15:15 1.5m
2026-07-20
10:02 8.2m 22:20 8.2m 03:41 1.7m 15:51 1.9m
2026-07-21
10:43 7.7m 23:03 7.6m 04:17 2.2m 16:32 2.4m
2026-07-22
11:30 7.2m 23:55 7.1m 05:00 2.6m 17:25 2.9m
2026-07-23
12:31 6.8m 06:00 3.1m 18:37 3.2m
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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