Barricane
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Barricane is a beach-break on the north end of Woolacombe that’s often described as quite exposed but still consistently surfable throughout the year. It offers both left and right waves, with the most dependable results when a west swell combines with east winds that tend to run offshore and keep the water cleaner. Local guidance emphasizes tide timing: conditions are commonly best at mid-tide. High tide can reduce the practical beach/wave shape and may make the area feel overly deep; at the same time, rocks and submerged hazards remain important throughout the day—especially for paddling out and where the wave sets up around the rockier parts of the cove. Wave quality is generally rated good with a moderate wave power profile, typically peeling with a medium peel speed. For timing and safety, pay attention to rip conditions near the rocky headlands, since stronger currents can develop on certain tide and swell combinations. For gear, multiple sources suggest staying prepared for cold water year-round: winter commonly calls for a thicker wetsuit with head/hand/foot protection, while warmer months usually allow lighter protection. Rescue and lifeguard support are not reported for this specific spot, so plan on managing hazards (rocks, rips, and changing access) with extra caution.
- Reliable beach-break with left and right waves
- Often best at mid-tide
- Rocks and rip currents are key hazards
- Reliable beach-break with left and right waves that can work across the year.
- East winds are often offshore and can groom the swell; west swells are favored.
- More secluded/low-profile than the larger nearby Woolacombe beaches (while still attracting summer visitors).
- Rock hazards and submerged obstacles (conditions and tide can change how dangerous/accessible the break is).
- Rip currents can be present near rocky headlands.
- Wind reliability is sometimes reported as low for consistent surfing conditions.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Sources also describe east-origin onshore/offshore effects; overall pattern is frontal.
- Reliability
- fairly-consistent
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sand with shell-rich sands noted; also includes rock formations on sides.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Reported as small to medium depending on source and conditions.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — West/onshore conditions can create extra chop.
- Launch
- Small — Easy self-launch from sandy beach in one description; also described as reachable via steps from the road.
Through the year
Very busy in July and August with tourists; quieter but still popular on good swell days in winter.
Late autumn and winter (October to March) see the most frequent storms and rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A (sometimes exposed) beach-break with left and right handers that can work year-round; commonly best at mid-tide. Rocks and tide changes strongly affect the wave and safety margins.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WSW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, All tides — Spot-level guidance emphasizes mid-tide; one source also indicates all-tides work.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Reported as exposed overall, with some local shelter from cliffs depending on wind direction.
- Wind Effect
- East winds are generally offshore and can groom the swell; west winds shift to onshore conditions and create more chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy/heavy with strong rips developing; waves may bounce off rocks and feel less clean.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Often described as having reliable surf with good quality when swell/wind line up.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length is described as medium; waves can be shorter/peaky at times.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Often peeling towards rocks; waves can be shorter and more peaky than at the main Woolacombe beach.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Barricane in the full forecast view.
Barricane wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–32 ktsGusts 51 kts
- Direction
- SW230°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2432 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–4.4 m8s period
- Temperature
- 9–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Barricane is forecast for daytime winds of 7–32 kts, peaking around 32 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 51 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.7–4.4 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Submerged rocks
- Rip currents (especially near rocky headlands)
- Submerged obstacles
- Crowds in summer
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported for this specific spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability reported as none for the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospital is in Barnstaple (North Devon District Hospital). In emergencies dial 999 or 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Sources describe it as having low friction compared with nearby areas.
Rules of the spot
Best suited to mid-tide; high tide can be too deep and the beach may disappear. Barricane is part of a Voluntary Marine Conservation Area; do not remove shells in large quantities.
- Dog restrictions apply during summer months
- Watch for rocks near shore—especially when paddling out and on the right side of the beach.
- Target mid-tide conditions; at high tide the wave/beach can become unfavorably deep and the wave can bounce off rocks.
- Rips can develop near rocky headlands; keep an eye on current strength.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Woolacombe
- Nearest Town
- Woolacombe
- Parking
- Parking available at Woolacombe main beach; also described as limited roadside parking on the Esplanade with larger pay-and-display car parks in Woolacombe town.
- Access
- Accessible via the main Woolacombe beach path or coastal route; also described as reachable via steep steps from the Esplanade road for the Barricane access.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous campsites, B&Bs, and hotels across Woolacombe and Mortehoe.
- Food & Drink
- Seasonal beach cafe serving Sri Lankan curry in the evenings during summer; more options in nearby Woolacombe.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available from various surf shops in nearby Woolacombe (regionally).
- Gear Repair
- Specialized surfboard and wetsuit repair services available in Braunton and Barnstaple (regionally).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Barricane?
The best overall months at Barricane are September, October, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Barricane?
Barricane works with E winds. Offshore directions are E.
What skill level is Barricane suitable for?
Barricane suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.