Surf Spots

Southerndown

South Wales, United Kingdom

Southerndown is a beginner-friendly beach break located near Ogmore-by-Sea in South Wales. The sandy and rocky bottom creates waves from both directions, best approached during low to mid tide with northeast winds and southwest swell. Watch for rocks, rip currents, and pollution in the water.

intermediate · beginner · shortboard

Strathy

Highlands, United Kingdom

Sutton on sea

East England, United Kingdom

Sutton on Sea, in East England near Sandilands, is a beginner-friendly beach break on sand. It works best at low to mid tide with westerly winds and northerly swell, with waves breaking in both directions. Watch for groynes and crowds when the surf is working.

Swanpool

South Cornwall, United Kingdom

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

The Bill

South, United Kingdom

The Bill is a left-hand break near Portland, South UK, with a rocky bottom. The spot features significant hazards including the strong Portland Race tidal race, shallow reefs and rocks, and the nearby Shambles sandbank.

The Wave Bristol

United Kingdom

The Wave is an artificial wave facility powered by Wavegarden Cove technology, generating consistent left and right-breaking waves in a 180-meter freshwater lake. The system produces up to 1,000 waves per hour with heights ranging from 50 centimeters to 1.8 meters and intervals of 6 to 8 seconds between waves. Four distinct difficulty settings accommodate all skill levels. The main hazard is the concrete lake floor, particularly in the shallow reef area toward the end of the wave, where surfers risk board damage or impact injuries; additional risks include collisions with own boards or other surfers' equipment. The Wave opened in October 2019 as the world's first public Wavegarden Cove facility and the United Kingdom's first artificial wave pool. Since then it has hosted major national competitions, including the English National Surfing Championships and the English Para Surfing Open—an adaptive surfing event that draws athletes from around the globe. The venue temporarily closed in June 2025 due to financial issues but reopened the following month under new ownership and continues operating. The facility sits at Washingpool Farm near Easter Compton, about 22 minutes north of Bristol and easily accessible from the M4 and M5 motorways. Free parking is available on site, and the venue is situated roughly 2 hours from London and 50 minutes from Cardiff.

Three cliffs

South Wales, United Kingdom

Three Cliffs is a river mouth break with a sand bottom near Parkmill, South Wales, that works with both left and right-hand waves. Southwest swell works best at mid to high tides with north winds favoring the shape. Rip currents are present in the lineup.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Thurlestone

Devon South, United Kingdom

Thurlestone is a right-hand reef break located in Devon South near Kingsbridge. The wave breaks over reef and rock bottom with submerged rocks presenting a hazard. Best conditions arrive with southwest swell and northeast wind.

Thurso East

Highland, United Kingdom

Thurso East is a right-hand reef break that peels across a kelp-covered rocky slab at the river mouth, producing long, hollow waves with multiple barrel sections. The reef holds swell from small to 15 feet, best served by north-northwest swell, southeast offshore wind, and mid-rising tide, though the break performs at any tidal stage. The bottom is shallow and unforgiving—sharp rock and strong river currents add real consequence to mistakes, and water temperatures between 8-12°C demand thorough thermal protection. This is an expert-level wave; intermediate surfers come unstuck on the power and speed. Thurso East remained largely unknown until Paul Gill arrived as a nuclear plant worker in 1975 and began exploring the local breaks. The reef captured the attention of the international surfing community in 2006 when O'Neill launched the Highland Open, a professional competition that ran through 2011 and drew world-class competitors including 2000 world champion Sunny Garcia and John John Florence. The event was eventually renamed the Coldwater Classic before sponsorship ended, though the spot maintains its reputation as one of Europe's finest reef breaks. The approach is unconventional: most surfers park in a farmyard adjacent to the break, cross damp grass and kelp-slick rocks in sturdy waterproof boots, and paddle out across the reef itself. Alternatively, surfers can access the lineup from the town's breakwater, letting the river current help carry them into position. Free parking and basic services—a local surf shop and camping—sit nearby, making the logistical barriers surprisingly modest for such a consequential wave.

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Tolcarne

North Cornwall, United Kingdom

intermediate · shortboard

Torrisdale

Highlands, United Kingdom

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Towan

Cornwall West, United Kingdom

Towan is a beginner beach break near Newquay in Cornwall with a sand bottom. Best surfed at mid-tide with southwest winds and westerly swells, it accommodates both wave directions. The spot attracts crowds.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Trebarwith Strand

Cornwall North, United Kingdom

Trebarwith Strand is an intermediate beach break near Tintagel on Cornwall's north coast, picking up west-northwest swell. Best conditions arrive at low tide with easterly winds and waves across both directions. Strong rips, waves breaking against the cliffs at high tide, and difficult rock gulley access in large swell demand respect here.

intermediate · shortboard

Trecco Bay

Severn Estuary, United Kingdom

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Tregantle

South Cornwall, United Kingdom

Trevaunance Cove

North Cornwall, United Kingdom

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Trevone

Cornwall North, United Kingdom

Trevone, near Padstow, is a beginner-friendly beach break with a sandy bottom that works on both swell directions. Best conditions occur at low tide with southeast wind and WNW swell, but watch for rocks and rip currents on the outgoing tide.

intermediate · shortboard

Treyarnon

Cornwall North, United Kingdom

Treyarnon is an intermediate beach break near St Merryn on Cornwall's north coast. The spot handles both wave directions with best swell from the west, favoring low tides and easterly winds. The sandy and rocky bottom hosts rip currents, rocks, and heavy crowds.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Tywyn

North Wales and NW England, United Kingdom

Tywyn is a beginner-friendly beach break in North Wales with a sandy bottom. This spot works best on high tide with easterly winds and southwest swell, offering waves in both directions. There is no lifeguard service at this location.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Vazon Bay

Channel Islands-England, United Kingdom

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Viking Bay

Southern England East, United Kingdom

Watergate Bay

Cornwall West, United Kingdom

Watergate Bay is a beginner-friendly beach break near Newquay with a sandy bottom that works on swell from both directions. Best conditions arrive with WNW swell and SE winds. Watch for rip currents, large tides, and crowds.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

West Wittering

South East, United Kingdom

West Wittering is a beginner-friendly beach break with a sand bottom near Chichester. It handles swell from both directions and works best with SW swell and NE wind during mid to high tide. Watch for groynes, rip currents, and other water users in the area.

beginner · intermediate · longboard

Westcliff Promenade

Southern England East, United Kingdom

Westport

Western Isles, United Kingdom

Westward Ho!

Devon North, United Kingdom

Westward Ho! is a beginner-friendly beach break near Bideford with a sand bottom that handles waves from multiple directions. Conditions are best with easterly winds and WNW swell at mid tide. Be aware of rip currents near the southern rocks, crowds when the swell is active, and pebble ridges with shorebreak hazards at high tide.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Whistling Sands

Northwest Wales, United Kingdom

Whitby Beach

East England, United Kingdom

Whitby Beach is a beginner-friendly beach break near Whitby with a sand and rock bottom that works across all tides. Southwest winds and northeast swell produce the best conditions. Watch for rip currents, rocky patches, cold water, and cliff paths that can be cut off by the rising tide.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Whitesands

West Wales, United Kingdom

Whitesands is a beginner-friendly beach break near St Davids in West Wales with a sandy bottom that works best at low to mid tide with easterly winds and southwest swell. The spot hosts Welsh Surfing Federation events including the Wilkinson Sword championship and the Welsh Junior Surf Series. Watch for rip currents and rocks at the northern end of the beach.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Whitsand Bay

Devon South, United Kingdom

Whitsand Bay is a sandy beach break near Portwrinkle in Devon South that handles both east and west-facing swell. Best conditions arrive with southwestern swell, northeast winds, and a combination tide. Watch for strong rip currents, heavy crowds, unstable cliff access, and military firing range closures at nearby Tregantle.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Widemouth Bay

Cornwall North, United Kingdom

Widemouth Bay is a beginner-friendly beach break near Bude offering access from both swell directions. Mid-tide conditions with easterly winds and WNW swell provide the best waves on a mixed rock and sand bottom. The spot hosts the Surfing England Junior Surf Series and has hazards including submerged rocks, rip currents, and crowds.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Withernsea

Northeast England, United Kingdom

Woolacombe Bay

North Devon, United Kingdom

beginner · intermediate · shortboard