Westward Ho (North Devon)
- Bodyboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Westward Ho! (North Devon) is a wide, sandy beach break known for long, mellow waves and generally consistent surf. The beach is described as working across most of the tidal cycle, though sessions should be planned around tide: at very high tide, the pebble ridge becomes a significant danger. For surfing, conditions are commonly best with swell arriving from the west/northwest quadrant, and offshore wind is most often associated with easterly directions. Wave quality is described as good and the break is characterized as exposed, with a softer/mushy-to-peeling feel that suits learning and progression. Typical rides are reported around 50–150 m, with longer rides possible on better days. Safety is a key part of choosing your window here. Multiple hazards are noted including rip currents and strong estuary outflow, plus submerged rocks near the southern/cliff end and hard features like groynes and boulders that can come into play depending on tide level. Local guidance emphasizes being fully off the water at least two hours before high tide to avoid the pebble ridge. Beyond surfing, the site is also used for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and wing foiling when winds and depth are suitable. Wind sports are described as being best with westerly/northwesterly patterns for the strongest/most favorable conditions, and kitesurfing can be restricted to the northern end to keep the main tourist/swimming area clear.
- Iconic pebble ridge hazard at high tide (plan timing carefully)
- Long sandy beach with sessions from lower to mid tide windows
- Good beginner surf characteristics with long ride lengths
- Offshore easterly winds help keep surfing cleaner
- Long, sandy beach with generally reliable surf and wave lengths suited to progression (especially beginners and longboarders).
- Offshore East winds can provide cleaner surfing conditions.
- Wide low-tide sand area can offer space for multiple water sports (with zone/tide restrictions).
- High tide creates a major hazard from the pebble ridge—sessions must be carefully timed.
- Rip currents/strong estuary outflow can occur, especially with bigger surf.
- Wind and wave conditions vary with the large tidal range.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, S, ESE, NE, SE, N, NW, WNW
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider wind type listed as frontal.
- Reliability
- fairly consistent (about 61% blown in the surf guide)
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported.
- Best Months
- September, October, November, March, April, May
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach; pebble ridge at high tide.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium; starts working below 1 m and can hold up to about 2.5 m+.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach at low to mid tide; restricted at high tide due to the pebble ridge.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Reported as easy access/launch conditions (wide sandy beach), with restrictions at high tide.
Through the year
Generally uncrowded; becomes crowded during July and August and in good conditions.
Winter months (November to March) see the most frequent storms and rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Plenty of space at low tide; best conditions described for West or Northwest winds (often cross-onshore).
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Suitable for wave sailing and freeriding; variety of conditions due to the large tidal range and shore break.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Sandy bottom and gradual depth make it foil-friendly, but low tide can create shallow sandbars and the pebble ridge at high tide requires careful timing.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly noted, with depth constraints at low tide and hazard timing at high tide.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Long, flat sandy beach break with consistent, mellow waves that work across much of the tidal cycle (generally not at very high tide).
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W, SW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Providers generally indicate it works across most tides; one source specifies mid-tide for best results.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach setting.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore wind from East is best for surfing cleanliness; South, SouthEast and East winds are also described as good/offshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when the swell exceeds about 3 m, but handles moderate size well.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power listed as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — One provider lists mushy; another lists peeling. Overall character varies with conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed listed as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typical rides around 50–150 m; good days 150–300 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal: about 50–150 m; good day: about 150–300 m (one provider also notes good days can offer rides between 50 and 150 m).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Westward Ho (North Devon) in the full forecast view.
Westward Ho (North Devon) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–28 ktsGusts 49 kts
- Direction
- SW232°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2428 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–3.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 9–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Westward Ho (North Devon) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–28 kts, peaking around 28 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 49 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.5–3.2 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
- Pebble ridge at high tide (very dangerous)
- Strong rip currents (more dangerous with bigger surf)
- Submerged rocks at the southern end near the cliffs
- Large tidal range
- Rocks and reef at the southern (town) end
- Groynes and large boulders (especially at higher tide)
- Other water users
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple is the nearest major medical facility; for emergencies dial 999 or 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism mentioned; described as mild in one provider safety summary.
Rules of the spot
Pay close attention to tide timing: the pebble ridge is a major hazard at high tide and you must be off the water at least two hours before high tide (per local surf school guidance).
- Kitesurfing is typically restricted to the northern end of the beach to avoid swimmers and keep the main tourist area clear.
- No riding at high tide due to pebble ridge danger.
- Check tide times carefully and plan to be off the water at least two hours before high tide to avoid the pebble ridge.
- Watch for rips/estuary outflow flowing north, and avoid the ripier areas when surf is bigger.
- For surfing, the southern end near the town is commonly used; for wind sports, the northern end is preferred.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Bideford, Torridge District
- Nearest Town
- Bideford
- Parking
- Parking at seafront car park by the beach; alternative at Northam Burrows car park next to the golf club.
- Access
- Follow A39 toward Bideford, turn at a large roundabout toward Westward Ho! (signposted). Park at the seafront car park or Northam Burrows car park near the golf club.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous campsites, holiday parks, and hotels are located in Westward Ho! and the surrounding Northam Burrows area.
- Food & Drink
- Many cafes, pubs, and restaurants are located along the seafront and in the village center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available via local surf schools and shops near the main slipway.
- Gear Storage
- Seasonal lockers are available at the surf school; no public storage facilities are indicated.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surf repair is available at local shops; kite repair may require travel to larger regional centers.
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 Westward Ho (North Devon)?
The best overall months at Westward Ho (North Devon) are September, October, November, March, April, May.
Which wind directions work at Westward Ho (North Devon)?
Westward Ho (North Devon) works with E, S, ESE, NE, SE, N, NW, WNW winds. Offshore directions are E.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Westward Ho (North Devon)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Westward Ho (North Devon): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Westward Ho (North Devon) suitable for?
Westward Ho (North Devon) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.