Saunton Sands

Saunton Sands is a long, flat beach for a day of walking or learning to surf. It runs for more than three miles from Saunton south to Crow Point, backed the whole way by the dunes of Braunton Burrows. At low tide it is a half-mile walk from the dunes to the water’s edge, which leaves a lot of open sand when the tide is out.

Swimming and surf

The waves are small and regular, two to three feet, which suits learners and long-board surfers. Surf hire and lessons run from the beach, including Walking on Waves and Surf South West.

There is no lifeguard service here, and you have to wade out a long way before the water gets deep. Signs warn of rip currents and undercurrents. Keep children close and stay shallow, and for seasonally patrolled water drive on to Woolacombe or Croyde Bay.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed all year at Saunton Sands, but on leads in front of the beach huts. The beach is owned by Christie Estates, which sets that rule rather than the council’s Public Spaces Protection Order. Dogs are banned north of the slipway, so check the signs on the beach.

Parking and getting there

The main car park is on the B3231 between Braunton and Croyde, and it has toilets, a shop and a cafe. It is run by Saunton Beach Enterprises and charges hourly or daily. Food comes from the Saunton Break café and the Beachside Grill, a restaurant open seasonally, and beach huts and deckchairs can be hired in season.

If the car park is full, there are two other ways on. Sandy Lane car park for Braunton Burrows means a 30-minute walk to the sea, and Crow Point has no facilities.

Nearby

The beach belongs to Saunton, where the art-deco Saunton Sands Hotel overlooks the car park. Croyde Bay is about two miles away, and Putsborough is further along the same coast.