Beach Guide

Crackington Haven

Crackington Haven is a rocky beachbreak in a sheltered cove that filters the swell size down and gives rare shelter from a Northerly wind. The cliffs of Pencannow to the North, and the Headland of Cambeak to the South provide decent shelter when almost every other beach along the coast is affected by the winds. The swell is generally a little bit smaller than the other beaches and in a small cove, it sometimes get a little crowded.

An ideal spot for families, with a gentle shelving beach in an enclosed bay. The top part of the beach is mainly pebbles with rock pools along the western fringe. At low tide, the beach opens into a vast expanse of sand ideal for family activities! The 730ft high cliffs across the right hand side of beach give for a great coastal walk with stunning views up the Cornish coast.

The beach is lifeguarded during the summer months and only the road seperates it from a couple of beach shops, a charming cafe, a handful of houses, and a pub with an excellent restuarant and hotel.

Almost unlimited parking makes this a great beach for walkers and it has public toilets just adjacent to the beach. Dogs are banned from the beach between the dates of Easter and October 1st.

Widemouth Bay

Long stretch of average beachbreak and reef peaks including Salthouse, Camel Rock and Black Rock. Each spot has its tial nuance but there will always be something to ride. The beach tends to pick up almost all swell going and no matter what the tide, there should be waves! The consistency means it tends to get a bit crowded during the summer and is often a surf school favourite. There a few rocks scattered across the beach to keep an eye on but nothing to really worry about.

Again its an ideal family beach, with such a wide area of sand for beach activites and rock pools to keep you busy! There is ample parking at Widemouth and there are several campsites and accommodation in the local area.

The beach is lifeguarded through the whole of the summer and most of the bank holidays across the year. Dogs are allowed on the southern part of Widemouth, Black Rock throughout the year with Widemouth not allowing dogs between Easter and October 1st.

Zuma Jays have a live camera at the beach so you can always check on how the surf is looking! Click here to view the camera!

Summerleaze

Summerleaze has a unique appeal, not least because it is less than five minutes walk from Bude town centre and a large car park that leads directly onto beach.

The breakwater that covers most of the coves entrance, shelters the swell size down by almost half inside the bay and is therefore very popular for beginners. The surrounding cliffs as well as the breakwater shelter the winds from almost every direction and is a very good spot to head when the winds up and the tides in. Take care at high tide as the current that runs into the river gets quite strong. At low tide, the beach stretches for miles and links up as far as Duckpool and you tend to be able to find a little peak to yourself regardless of the crowds.

The beach has one of the first ever Sea Pools built in the 1930's that allow you to swim no matter what the surf is doing! Lifeguarded cover is provided on the beach over the Easter weekend and from the 1st of May to September 30th.

Dogs must be on leads between the 21st May and 30th September!

Zuma Jays have a live camera at the beach so you can always check on how the surf is looking! Click here to view the camera!

Crooklets

The small beach of Crooklets adjoins Summerleaze and Northcott Mouth at low tide forming a large bay. A popular family beach with plenty of facilities including a large beach cafe, public toilets, pay and display car park and can get a little busy during the summer months.

Its regarded as a good surf break, with a variety of waves across the tides to suit most people! The beach at high tide is slightly shelved and gives a decent shore break that breaks in quite shallow water. At low tide, as with Summerleaze, the beach tends to break pretty well with more often than not a peak somewhere!

Bude generally tends to pick up a bit more swell than Crackington Haven and Widemouth so its a great place to head when the surf is struggling to pick up any size!

Crooklets also has the only local skate park just off the car park with a half pipe, rail, pyramid and a few blocks and drop ins to suit most level skateboarders.

Lifeguards are on at this between for the whole of the summer period. Dogs are banned on Crooklets over this period

Northcott Mouth

Ruggedly beautiful, Northcott is a rocky cove but a sandy beach emerges when the tide drops out. Quite a shelf at the top of the beach with quite a few scattered rocks that means that it doesn't break too well on the higher tides. Generally it will be best to head to Northcott about 2 hours off of high tide to get the best out of the generally good sand banks.

The National Trust has a small car park at the top of the beach with just a small honesty box for contributions!

For walkers, there is much to see on the coast path with spectacular views and abundent wildlife. The southern Maer Cliffs and Northern Menachurch Point allow stunning walks in either direction with views that can only be described once seen!

In the summer months there is a delightful tea room with rustic gardens set back from the beach.

Lifeguarded cover is provided between the 4th of July and the 6th of September and there are no toilet facilities. Dogs are allowed all year!

Sandymouth

Large, pebbly beach with lots of sand at lower tides when it connects up to form one long beach with Duckpool to Summerleaze. Best at low to mid tide as the beach becomes too steep at high tide and breaks on pebbles and rocks. At low tide, Sandymouth is stunning. It opens up into a large expanse of golden sands that stretches as far as the eye can see.The sand formations tend to mean the waves break a little heavier at this end of the coast so take care!

If your interested in rock formations, then Sandymouth is the place to head! The long finger like formations stretch across the beach with the cliffs looking wild with erosion!

Sandymouth faces slightly more westerly and will therefore pick up the most of Bude swells but still stays quieter than Bude town beaches.

There is a National Trust car park at the top of the beach and a lovely little cafe for your afternoon tea!

Lifeguarded cover is provided across the summer period! Dogs are allowed all year!

Duckpool

Duckpool is found at the foot of the coombe valley. Nestled between high cliffs, with the imposing steeple point to the right, Duckpool is one of the most attractive and dramatic coves in the area.

At higher tides, the beach is made up of pebbles and rocks but as the tide drops the sand is revealed in the middle of the bay. Swimming here is often unsafe, particularly around low tide and towards the northern end of the beach.

A very good beach to head to in the height of the summer and its always alot quieter and is beautifully undeveloped!

The walkers amoungst you again will relish the stunning views and walks possible around the beach. This area boasts some fine walks along the cliff tops. Inland at the head of the Coombe Valley are Lee Wood and Stowe Wood, the latter being the site of an old settlement!

There is a small car park and toilet facilities but not much else! Dogs are allowed all year.

No lifeguard cover across any part of the year so the upmost of care must be taken!