BoneYard (Exmouth)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
BoneYard (Exmouth) is a right-hand surf break accessed from Sandy Bay, with launch typically involving getting out from the left side of Sandy Bay and paddling around the point. It is described as reef/point-oriented with a rocky reef bottom, and the wave is known for heavy, ledgey right-hand sections that can occasionally barrel, especially when there’s enough swell. The spot is most associated with mid to high rising tide—providers emphasize the rising mid-tide window as a sweet spot, and the authoritative baseline also states “mid and high tide, rising tide.” When the swell is in the right sector (SW/S/SE), the break can hold substantial size and becomes more powerful and ledgey on larger sets. Providers also note that it can be somewhat tucked away, meaning it often needs a decent swell to work well. On hazards and safety: the reef and ledges, sea urchins, and strong rips/undertow are key concerns. Sharks have been sighted, and the firing range near Straight Point can create additional restrictions—when red flags indicate active firing, you should avoid the straight-point landing/beach directly at the restricted area and do not access firing-range land. Local lineup dynamics are also a consideration, with local surfers often dominating. Overall, BoneYard is characterized as low-profile and usually quiet due to the paddle/access, with better reliability in the cooler season. Winter months are highlighted for surfing consistency and overall seasonal suitability, while wind is described as most favorable from the north/north-east (with northerly flow tending to be offshore-preferred for the break).
- Right-hand reef/point break with short, fast rides
- Works best on rising mid-to-high tide
- Typically quiet/low crowd due to access and paddle-out
- Consistent in winter per provider description.
- Right-hand wave with faster, powerful, often ledgey character.
- Short, fun rides with good wave quality when conditions align.
- Usually quiet due to paddle distance/access.
- Strong rips/undertow and a rocky reef with hazards (including sea urchins).
- Sharks reported sighted.
- No lifeguards; rescue is via coastal services only.
- Access and safety constraints during firing-range activity (red flags).
- Wind reliability is described as low.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NE, ENE, NW, WNW
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind described as frontal in provider data.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Heavy wind shadow from high cliffs under Northerly or Westerly winds
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Mixed sandy/rocky characteristics at the break area; sandy composition noted in provider physical data.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Provider data describes small-to-medium; baseline says it starts working under 1 m and can hold to 3 m+.
- Launch
- Medium — Typically via neighboring Sandy Bay beach followed by paddling around the point.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch typically involves paddling around the point; access and setup require a moderate effort.
Through the year
Usually quiet, but busier on weekends with good swells
Winter months (November to March) for increased storm frequency and higher rainfall
By sport
What to expect for each.
A right-hand reef/point break around the corner from Sandy Bay. Known for holding more size than main beach breaks and for fast, ledgey right-hand waves that crash over a rocky reef that can include urchins.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, S, SE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — Mid and high tide, rising tide preferred; provider data also states mid-to-high rising tide.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Semi-sheltered; described as sheltered from West/North-West winds by cliffs.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore-preferred with northerly flow; can be sheltered from West/North-West winds by the cliffs.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold well up to around 3 m, becoming more powerful and ledgey; heavy right-hand waves over rocky reef.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Provider data ranges from moderate to powerful; one source characterizes wave power as powerful/ledgey.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Often described as ledgey/occasionally barreling; one source also describes peeling waves.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Described as fast in provider data; also described as medium in one provider.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short rides; typical length reported as short and sometimes < 50 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 40–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, short rides that may end in deeper water or on reef sections; often < 50 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for BoneYard (Exmouth) in the full forecast view.
BoneYard (Exmouth) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–26 ktsGusts 41 kts
- Direction
- SW226°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2426 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–2.4 m5s period
- Temperature
- 9–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, BoneYard (Exmouth) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–26 kts, peaking around 26 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 41 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.2–2.4 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- Reef
- Strong rips and undertow
- Submerged obstacles
- Reef ledges
- Sea urchins
- Straight Point firing range (restricted area when red flags are flying)
- Sharks
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — RNLI lifeboat station on the seafront.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services via 999. RNLI lifeboat station on the seafront provides emergency response for the estuary/coastal waters.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism reported; locals often dominate the lineup.
Rules of the spot
Expect competition in the lineup; local surfers often dominate. Avoid landing on the beach directly at Straight Point when the MOD firing range is active (indicated by red flags). Access restricted to the area—do not access military firing range land.
- No access to the military firing range land.
- Restricted area when firing range is active (red flags).
- Parking restricted to holiday park or public lots in Sandy Bay.
- Head to sandy bay beach via the Haven holiday resort; paddle out on the left of the beach and head around the point near the marine shooting range.
- Don’t park near the park entrance—otherwise it becomes a long walk with rocks.
- Rising mid-tide is generally the sweet spot for wave quality.
- Only works on a decent swell as it is somewhat tucked away.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Exmouth
- Nearest Town
- Exmouth
- Parking
- Park in the bottom car park, not near the park entrance (otherwise it’s a long walk with rocks). Pay-and-display parking is available at Sandy Bay/Devon Cliffs.
- Access
- High tide: head to sandy bay beach via the Haven holiday resort; paddle out on the left and head around the point near the marine shooting range. Low tide is not very good; route via cliffs down to Orcombe Point and follow the path to Stairs to reach the cove.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation options in Exmouth and the wider East Devon area, including holiday parks.
- Food & Drink
- Various cafes and restaurants within the holiday park and Sandy Bay area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
UNESCO World Heritage site known for unique geology and fossil-rich cliffs.
Extensive hiking trails offering dramatic views of the Devon coastline.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at BoneYard (Exmouth)?
The best overall months at BoneYard (Exmouth) are December, October, November, January, February, March. The best wind months are December, January, February, March, October, November.
Which wind directions work at BoneYard (Exmouth)?
BoneYard (Exmouth) works with N, NNE winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NE, ENE, NW, WNW.
What skill level is BoneYard (Exmouth) suitable for?
BoneYard (Exmouth) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.