Tag Archives: surfing

Croyde Bay beach review, North Devon

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Croyde is a popular beach, sandwiched between the two longer sandy stretches of beach – Woolacombe Sands to the North and Saunton Sands to the South.

It’s a sandy bay, sheltered by a series of dunes and slopes, and features a rivulet running through the middle of the beach. It has terrific rock pools at either end of the beach, although our rightbeach contacts recommend the northern end of the beach for the best selection. Either way, these are ideal for keeping little ones occupied when not splashing in the water or making sand castles.

Away from the dunes the beach can feel exposed if there’s breeze, so take a wind break and a kite to get the best of both worlds.

Croyde is particularly notable for the waves and water. It’s a reliable surf beach, regularly featuring swell and decent breaks at either end of the bay. Swimmers beware however, as there are significant rip tides even when the swell is relatively low. But this shouldn’t deter you from taking the kids for a paddling session in the shallows.

Beach blurb

See Croyde Bay beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

  • Take your nets and head to the north end of the beach for the best rocks pools. Ideal if the weather’s a bit on the cloudy side.
  • Remember to take your kite. Away from the dunes, the breeze is perfect for this.
  • If you’re there to surf then hang around Down End to catch the point break or make use of the reef break at the northern end of the beach (aka Baggy Point) for an hour or so during high tides.

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Area
Rating
Observation
Beach Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Rock pools, big waves, shallow paddling in the sea, and flat sand.
Crowded (1=deserted) Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Fairly popular with all ages, from families with young kids right through to hardcore surf dudes..
Surf Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Waves are usually pretty good. Swimmers need to watch out for strong rip tides..
Sand Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Wide flat sand backed by dunes.
Parking Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Parking is £5 per day but you can park at the nearby campsite (Ruda) for free.
Toilets Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Toilets are free and have baby-changing facilities.
Food Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Devon ice creams available at the beach shop … yummy!
Shopping Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating A well stocked beach shop, plus surf hire.

Review by Mark H

Challaborough Bay, South Devon

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Challaborough Bay beach is an enclosed Blue Flag sandy beach with some decent surf between tides, a stones throw away from Burgh Island of TV’s Poirot fame.

It’s a pretty spot with nice flat sand, a freshwater rivulet, and is ideal for walks in the gorgeous Devon countryside, and shallow paddling in the sea.

Challaborough Bay is home to a reasonably large holiday park, with the caravans leading up to the road bordering the beach. Parking is via the holiday park and is limited (£4.50 for the day). However, despite the proximity of the holiday park the beach is not too crowded.

It’s a pretty reliable place for surf, with a steeply shelving beach creating a fast wave at higher stages of the tide, although the swell dies back during the highest part of the cycle.

Challaborough Bay has been recommended to rightbeach as a quiet, relatively sheltered beach, ideal for families with young children.

Beach blurb

See Challaborough Bay beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

  • Parking is limited so get there early to ensure you avoid unnecessary stress.
  • Chill out with an ice-cold drink at the Regatta Restaurant immediately overlooking the beach, or head over to Friar Tucks to grabs some fish and chips to take back to eat on the beach. Yummy.
  • Time you trip. At high tide there’s not much beach left and the waves die down. At low tide however there’s rock pooling to keep the young ones occupied. Between tides – surf’s up!

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Area
Rating
Observation
Beach Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating A sandy beach with rocks exposed at low tide. Reasonably sheltered. Good for walks.
Crowded (1=deserted) Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Quiet and not too crowded.
Surf Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Better surfing between tides, with NO waves during high tide.
Sand Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Yep – there’s sand.
Parking Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating £4.50 for the day in the holiday park car park but spaces are limited.
Toilets Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating  In the car park, so not too far away.
Food Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Ice creams and the usual fodder. Restaurant and fish and chips within staggering distance and groceries available via the holiday park shop.
Shopping Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Via the holiday park shop.

Review by Tom v A

Whitecliff Bay beach, Isle of Wight

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Whitecliff Bay is a relatively small, golden sanded beach situated at the bottom of Culver Cliffs, on the south-east side of the island. It is 10 minutes walk  from Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park and so is popular with families and couples. The holiday park is the only parking available near to the main concrete path down the cliff. The path ends in a steep, oh so very steep, final section. Not so much fun for tiny tots or tired daddies on the hike back up to the car!

The beach has a very shallow slope towards the sea, making it good for swimming and paddling with little children. High on the cliff top, Yarborough Monument (known as ‘the Obelisk’) can be seen presiding. Rock pools and mini coves, isolated by high tide, to ‘beach left’.

There are two beach cafes/shops to keep a ready supply of buckets, spades, ice-creams and cold drinks on the beach. rightbeach had breakfast at the ‘Tuppenny Cafe’ and basked in the glorious morning sun, watching the rightbeach kiddies and grandparents taking the first plunge of the day…ahh fond memories.

rightbeach recommends this beach for families with older children due to the tricky path down to the beach and lack of toilets.

Beach blurb

See Whitecliff Bay beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

  • Get there early to nab a parking space and parking is limited (rightbeach warned you, 20-30 spaces max!)
  • Minimal kit or plenty of hands and arms to carry it to and from the top of the cliff.
  • turn ‘beach right’ at the bottom on the slope as it gets mighty windy to the left.
  • Rock pools galore to the left so pack your beach shoes, nets and buckets to nab all sorts of creatures of the deep.
  • Watch out for high tide, it can leave you with nowhere to run but back up the cliff!

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Area
Rating
Observation
Beach Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating What it lacks for in wide expanse of sand it makes up for in character.
Crowded
(1=deserted)		 Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating It’s never too bad there although the car park and cafes can get busy. You can always head ‘beach left’ for seclusion.
Surf Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Mini rollers but nothing too fancy.
Sand Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Lovely golden sand but it is nearly completely covered at high tide.
Toilets NONE! Not even for staff at the cafes or at the top of the cliff! NONE!
Parking Sandcastle rating 20-30 spaces within Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park.
Food Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Two cafes  (hot and cold food and drinks) with a small range of buckets and spades, postcards, etc
Shopping The only shop nearby is the newly refurbished, reopened and fully stocked holiday park convenience store. Situated to the left of the driveway at the entrance to the holiday park.

Portrush East Strand beach, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

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Known as ‘Northern Ireland’s favourite holiday destination’, Portrush is well known for its long, sandy beaches, East and West Strands. East Strand is the quieter of the two, as it does not have the life boat station training centre. It is still a busy beach with plenty of people watching to be done. It has large sand dunes and amazing views along the coast and is an ideal place to explore the Causeway Coast.

Portrush, built mainly on a mile-long penninsular, is a popular and well known town on the Londonderry border. It has hosted the British Golf Open, many open air music festivals and an annual air show in September. Portrush is also home to Barry’s Amusements, the largest amusement park in Northern Ireland. Actor, James Nesbitt, once worked in Barry’s.

rightbeach recommends this beach for young families due to its ease for parking and toilet facilities but also for families with teens who fancy learning to surf. There is a surf school on the beach with surf board and suit hire with changing rooms.

Beach blurb

See Portrush East Strand beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

  • Take a wind break as the wide beach means it can get a bit breezy.
  • …and a kite to keep Daddy entertained (although Daddy rightbeach is yet to succeed in the kite department!)
  • A wet suit to keep the chill out when learning to ride the waves.

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Area
Rating
Observation
Beach Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Open beach with plenty of space.
Crowded
(1=deserted)		 Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Can get busy due to its popularity.
Surf Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Waves here can get very good with the prevailing south westerly winds blowing offshore.
Sand Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Sandy, sandy, sandy
Toilets Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Clean and tidy with baby changing facilities. Located in car park.
Parking Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Massive car park on sea front.
Food Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Only a stones throw away from Portrush town.
Shopping Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Clothing shops, surf suit hire

Review by Lesley H

St Ouen’s Bay beach, Jersey

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St Ouen’s Bay is a massive five-mile-long stretch of sand, making up the majority of the west coast of Jersey. It feels the full force of the Atlantic which can be a blessing and a curse. Surf can be fabulous but it can also be very exposed if there’s a westerly wind blowing given there’s little shelter on the beach.

The beach does have non-sun worshiping activities though, with rock pools and surf lessons to be enjoyed. However, the beach’s primary assets are it’s epic expanse of fine, flat sand and mega surf.

rightbeach recommends this beach for its space, sand and surf, and deems it suitable for families with children and surfers.

Beach blurb

See St Oeun’s Bay beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

  • If you’ve got the motivation, take a BBQ with you, buy some fresh fish from Faulkners at the north end of the beach, and eat on the beach in style.
  • There’s virtually no beach left at high tide so timing your trip right is essential.
  • If you fancy a break from all that sand and surf take a stroll around the World War II German gun emplacements. Jersey (and the other Channel Islands) were occupied by the Germans from June 1940 to May 1945.

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Area
Rating
Observation
Beach Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Massive amounts of space and sand, but can be exposed and beach is virtually non-existent at high tide.
Crowded
(1=deserted)		 Sandcastle rating Sooooo much space
Surf Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating The Atlantic 2,500 miles to get ready for St Oeun’s Bay. The waves can be big!
Sand Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Fine, flat and lots of it.
Toilets Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating In the car park so think twice about venturing too far away from civilisation.
Parking Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Lots of parking along the length of the beach (three or four car parks all along La Grande Route des Mielles) all right next to the sand.
Food Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating A reasonable selection of icecreams / pasties, but most of the food outlets are clustered around the car parks.
Shopping Sandcastle rating Good for fresh fish (at Faulkners) less good for other stuff as the beach is so spread out.

Review by dom perrignon

Sennen Cove beach, South Cornwall

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Sennen Cove is a fabulous, wide, sandy beach at the south-west tip of Cornwall, with rock pools for exploring and perfect sand for building sand castles. It is exposed to the Atlantic and picks up any swell, particularly the northern area and Gwevner beach. As a result, the beach is popular with surfers and there is a surf school. It has designated swim areas and surf areas to allow fun in the sea without too many collisions!

Additional activities include walking to Lands End (just a 20 minute stroll away), buses to and from Penzance Town, or simply watching the  tides as come in fast but safe.

There are plenty of ice-cream and snack facilities by the beach and along the promenade behind. There is also a restaurant , fish and chip shop and a surf shop, and a chance to attend surf school or hire equipment. Toilet facilities small but close by.

rightbeach recommends Sennen Cove for all things family, especially children who are confident swimmers and enjoy the water.

Beach blurb

See Sennen Cove beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

  • Safe for kids and great pasties!
  • Wet suits a must-cold waters and fashion sense tell us this so!
  • There are loads of places to eat or get food to bring back to the beach so no need to pack up that heavy cool bag/box to feed the family.

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Area
Rating
Observation
Beach Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Rock pools, shallow pools for swimming, freshwater rivulets, big waves, shallow paddling in the sea. Pretty amazing really!
Crowded
(1=deserted)		 Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating
Surf Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Surfing and body boarding are popular.
Sand Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Flat and fine sand and there’s sand at all times despite the varying tide.
Toilets Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Toilet facilities small but close by.
Parking Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Two fairly small car parks close by and a larger one a short but steep walk, so it’s best to get there early.
Food Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Plenty of ice-cream and snack facilities by the beach and along the promenade behind. Fish and Chips too! Maybe visit more than once this holiday to sample all the foodie delights!
Shopping Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Well stocked with shops including craft and surf shops.

reviewed by Maria D

Harlyn Bay beach, North Cornwall

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Harlyn Bay is a super beach for kids. It’s wide, sandy and rich in ice cream vans. But significantly it also has a couple of warm, shallow pools in the sand during low tide which are perfect for fledgling bathers. Large wide spaces even when reasonably busy. rightbeach took a super whizzy frisbee which was very popular with the kiddies.

It’s an old-fashioned classic beach. Lots of sand, wind breaks, and families (some with kites, some with grannies), probably influenced by the proximity of the Harlyn Sands Holiday Park.

It also has a pub/shop in the shape of the Harlyn Inn tucked behind the sand dunes which also hires out boards and wetsuits.

rightbeach recommends Harlyn beach for all generations of beach loving families (and the dog too!)

Beach blurb

See Harlyn Bay beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

  • The loos are a right trek, across a stoney overflow carpark, so plan your kids’ toilet trips for them!
  • The beach can get quite breezy of there’s an strong off shore wind, so taking a beach tent or wind breaks is advisable.

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Area
Rating
Observation
Beach Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating It’s an okay beach – it’s size and the kid-friendly tidal pools are it’s best features.
Crowded
(1=deserted)		 Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Can get busy in patches.
Surf Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Pretty reliable North Cornish surf.
Sand Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating
Toilets Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating An uber trek across two car parks.
Parking Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Lots of parking over looking the beach. Expect to pay around £3-4 for the whole day in peak season.
Food Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating A pub and ice cream vans.
Shopping Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating A beach shop which doubles as an surf hire place.

review by The rightbeach Team

Crackington Haven beach review, North Cornwall

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Crackington Haven is a little charmer of a beach. The winding road down eventually leads you out to the hamlet which contains a couple of cafes, a shop, a pub and a small pay and display car park (there is another overflow car park slight further up the hill). There are a surprising amount of good things crammed into this small beach.

The beach itself is a sequence of pebbles, shingle and sand as you get closer to the sea, with the sand covered by the tide as it draws in.

There’s some pretty robust surf, a nice collection of rock pools and impressive scenery formed by the steep hills and cliffs which is also why it’s popular with walkers.

rightbeach wholeheartedly recommends (and frequently uses) Crackington Haven for a crab sandwich lunch with the children followed by an ice cream on the beach hunting for interesting pebbles to plop into the pools.

Beach blurb

See Crackington Haven beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

  • Check the tide times – if sand is a must for your beach trip then there’s little point going if the tide is in.
  • In order to get a space in the closest car park, you should aim to get there for 10am at the latest (however there’s always the one up the road as a back up).
  • We always make a point of having fresh crab sandwiches at the excellent Haven Cafe, followed up by an ice cream from next door (rightbeach loves candy floss flavour, and hokeypokey, and rum and raisin…oh and raspberry pavlova, and good old-fashioned strawberry, you get the idea!).

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Area
Rating
Observation
Beach Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating What it lacks for in wide expanse of sand it makes up for in character.
Crowded
(1=deserted)		 Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating It’s never too bad there although the car parks and cafes can get busy.
Surf Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Body boarding is big on the beach.
Sand Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating There’s nothing wrong with the sand but it’s covered by the sea around high tide and at other times it remains wet.
Toilets Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Nice and close to the beach.
Parking Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating One small (50 spaces) pay-and-display close to the beach which always seems to be on the full side. There’s an overflow car park somewhat up the hill.
Food Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Two cafes – our favourite being the excellent Haven Cafe (not the cheapest but good food). Plus there’s a pub with its own car park for patrons.
Shopping Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Two shops pretty well stocked with beach goodies.

reviewed by The rightbeach Team

Polzeath beach, North Cornwall

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Polzeath (also known as Hayle Bay) is a big lively wedge of sand ideal for active families and families with older children. It nestles nicely between rising cliffs on either side and is a popular part of the North Cornish coastal path for walkers.

It’s probably best known for its reliable surf credentials which draws in surfers and body boarders by the drove. In fact, rightbeach felt positively out of place in old skool swimming cossies as opposed to the much-in-evidence wetsuits. rightbeach‘s neice had her very first surf lesson there this Summer. Hopefully no real wipe outs!

Past the on-beach car park sporting SUVs galore, there’s a broad flat expanse of sand (especially huge at low tide) ideal for beach cricket although not all of it stays dry during tidal cycles.

The little town of Polzeath has grown into a mini resort over the years and now features a couple of “fairground rides” and a scattering of bars and cafes, taking advantage of the coolish/semi-bohemian vibe.

rightbeach recommends Polzeath for families of all shapes and sizes. Tiddlers will be catered for by easy parking and the opportunity to ‘pop back to the car’ for feeding or just quiet time out of the elements. Toddlers will love the sandy pools and digging channels to their moat. Teens will enjoy the beach life and surf lessons. The rest of us will be grateful the kids have got so much to do and can grab a quick coffee.

Beach blurb

See Polzeath beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

  • Of the two car parks the one on the beach is the most convenient. You can usually get a car park space on the beach if you arrive just before 10am. Alternatively, do something else in the morning and arrive after 2pm and there’s a steady trickle of people leaving the car park.
  • You can easily hire wet suits and body boards for all ages and sizes. It’s so much easier than lugging them down in the car if you only plan on doing this once or twice during your holiday and the charges aren’t that extortionate.
  • If the weather is inclement and your little ones are in need of warming up, head over to the Galleon Beach Cafe for hot chocolates (with marshmallows) and fresh cooked doughnuts …

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Area
Rating
Observation
Beach Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating No rock pools, sand gets a bit soggy and there’s a fair amount of litter as it’s such a well-used beach.
Crowded (1=deserted) Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating  It’s a busy beach, popular beach. On warm days the sea in particularly can be rammed with body boarders and surfers meaning that swimmers and splashers are forced into certain areas.
Surf Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating  Reliable rollers, hence it’s popularity.
Sand Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Sandy beach, although it can be a bit slimy in places due to the proximity of the car park to the rivulet running off into the beach.
Toilets Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating  No problems.
Parking Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Two car parks means you should always be in with a shout to get a space. One smaller pay and display on the beach (high tide can spill into this one!), and another larger one up on the cliff over looking the beach.
Food Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating The town is fairly lively, so there’s plenty of choice with pubs, beach cafes and shops.
Shopping Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Again, lots of shops in the town.

Review by rightbeach, Tom v A and Sam T