Best beaches in North Devon: Woolacombe, Croyde, Saunton and beyond
North Devon has one of England's finest collections of beaches, each with a distinct character. This guide helps you choose the right one for your trip.
Overview
Which North Devon beach is right for you?
North Devon's main beaches run along about 15 miles of Atlantic-facing coastline, from Woolacombe south to Saunton Sands. The five principal beaches — Woolacombe, Barricane, Putsborough, Croyde Bay, and Saunton Sands — are each distinct in character. A sixth, Baggy Point, is rocky headland for walkers and wildlife rather than swimming. All face west or north-west and pick up the same North Atlantic swell, so the key decision for visitors is wave size and crowd tolerance, not distance.
This page is the hub before you choose a beach. For Woolacombe conditions and surf planning, the Woolacombe surf guide is the best starting point. Families with young children will find the most facilities and the gentlest water at Woolacombe main beach. Experienced surfers looking for a challenge should head to Croyde. If you want the quietest option in the bay, Putsborough or Saunton are usually calmer and less crowded. For the full surf-coast comparison, see the North Devon surf coast guide.
Beach by beach
The six main North Devon beaches
Woolacombe Beach
Three miles of Blue Flag beach — the longest and most family-friendly on the North Devon coast. Gentle beach breaks are ideal for learners; surf schools and board hire operate from the beachfront; RNLI lifeguards patrol in season. Full facilities including toilets, cafes, and car parks. Best for: families with young children, beginner surfers, large groups. Very busy in July and August — aim to arrive before 10am to get a parking space. Full Woolacombe beach guide.
Barricane Beach
A small cove immediately north of Woolacombe main beach, accessible around the headland at low tide. Famous for its tropical shells washed in from the Gulf Stream and for excellent rock pools. No facilities, no lifeguard — best experienced at low tide. Best for: rock pooling, quieter alternative to the main beach, beachcombing, photography. See Barricane Beach guide and rock pooling at Woolacombe.
Putsborough Sands
At the southern end of Woolacombe Bay, separated by the dune system. Calmer and more sheltered than the main beach, with less swell most days — good for paddleboards and longboards on smaller days. Lifeguard cover operates in season; facilities are limited. Best for: quieter experience, longboarders, stand-up paddleboarding, families wanting less crowd. Putsborough Sands guide.
Croyde Bay
The most powerful surf beach on the North Devon coast. A beach break that can hold large Atlantic swells, with some hollow sections popular with experienced surfers. Gets very crowded on good surf days; limited parking. Not recommended for beginners on anything above small swell. Best for: intermediate to advanced surfers; visitors specifically seeking challenge; a lively beach scene. Croyde Beach guide and Croyde village guide.
Saunton Sands
Three miles of south-facing beach backed by the Braunton Burrows dunes — a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Picks up less swell than Woolacombe or Croyde, but it works well for longboarding and intermediate surfers on moderate swells. Generally quieter than Woolacombe; RNLI cover operates in season. Best for: longboarders, a less-crowded alternative, family days, and walking the dunes. Saunton Sands guide and Braunton guide.
Baggy Point
Not a sandy beach — the rocky headland south of Croyde Bay. Dramatic cliff scenery, excellent for coastal walking, wildlife watching (seals, seabirds, porpoises from the cliff), and photography. No swimming (rocky and exposed). Best for: walkers, wildlife photographers, and those following the South West Coast Path. Baggy Point walk guide.
Choosing
Which beach for your group?
- Families with young children: Woolacombe — RNLI lifeguards, full facilities, gentle surf.
- Beginners wanting to surf: Woolacombe — surf schools, hire, wide beach, beginner zones.
- Experienced surfers: Croyde — more power, bigger faces, serious beach break.
- Quietest day: Putsborough or Saunton — less crowded, more sheltered.
- Rock pooling and shells: Barricane Beach — best at low tide.
- Longboarding or SUP: Saunton or Putsborough — softer waves, more space.
- Coastal walking: Baggy Point or Morte Point — headland walking rather than beach.
- Photography and landscape: Barricane, Morte Point, Baggy Point at golden hour.
If you are unsure between Woolacombe and Croyde, the simpler answer is usually Woolacombe: it has more facilities, lifeguard cover for longer, and easier parking. Save Croyde for the day you want to focus on surfing specifically and can handle peak-season traffic. For family planning, see Woolacombe with kids and best time to visit Woolacombe.
Getting around
How far apart are the beaches?
Woolacombe to Croyde is around 10 minutes by car via Georgeham on quiet days. Croyde to Saunton is around 5 minutes by car. There is no direct coast path connecting the surfing beaches at sea level — they are separated by rocky headlands. Walking from Woolacombe to Croyde via the coast path (via Morte Point and Baggy Point) is a full-day route of around 12 miles: see the Woolacombe to Croyde walk guide.
On school holiday weekends, lanes can back up significantly. If you plan to drive between beaches, allow extra time and have a backup plan. Woolacombe car park fills fastest; the south end of the beach (Putsborough direction) is usually easier to park for.
If you are based in Barnstaple and choosing a beach for a day trip, the beaches near Barnstaple guide compares Woolacombe, Saunton, Croyde and Instow from Barnstaple as the starting point.
Timing
Tides and seasons on North Devon beaches
All North Devon beaches are significantly larger at low tide — plan beach activities around low tide for maximum sand and the best rock pooling. At high tide, Barricane Beach disappears completely and the main Woolacombe beach becomes a narrow strip. Use the live Woolacombe tide times to plan your day.
Best surf season is autumn through spring (September to April), when North Atlantic swells are most consistent and most powerful. Best family beach season is June to August, when water temperatures are warmer (typically 16–19°C) and RNLI lifeguard cover is in place at Woolacombe and Croyde. Saunton is not an RNLI-lifeguarded beach — check current signage on arrival.