Here at OA Surf Club, we are all avid surfers. We love to pass on the stoke and throw a shaka in the line up and so have provided you a Surfers Guide to Widemouth Bay.
Location of Widemouth Bay
Awarded the Blue Flag Beach Award since 2015, Widemouth Bay is a long, family friendly stretch of beach located in North West Cornwall, 3 miles south of the main town of Bude.
The main beach known as Widemouth Bay is an open, exposed expanse of sandy and rocky beach with wild, rugged views of the surrounding cliffs. On a clear day, Lundy Island can be seen positioned out into the North Atlantic.
Connected to the south of the main beach is Black Rock, so called due to the large rock formation jutting out into the Atlantic. This predominately quieter stretch of beach has its own beach cafe and parking and is dog friendly all year round.
At high tide Black Rock can be cut off from the main beach by spines of rocks spreading from the cliff edge to the ocean.
Surfing at Widemouth Beach
With our Surfers Guide to Widemouth Bay, you’ll discover that this beach has something for every surfer.
From beginner to experienced, this beach break provides a variety of pretty consistent peaks along the full length of the main beach. Whether regular or goofy, there is a wave for everyone.
Situated at south of the beach, Black Rock gives steeper lefts and rights and is suitable for more experienced surfers with occasional rocks to negotiate but can bring longer barreling waves in bigger swell.
When to Surf at Widemouth Bay
The main part of the beach has lefts and rights breaking from mid to high tide and is usually the busiest section being an ideal spot for surf schools and beginners.
Low tide provides a more inconsistent wave but can be fun in the right conditions.
Black Rock reveals its rocky reef at low tide and can be a fun wave when the rest of the beach isn’t performing. Black Rock really comes alive at Mid tide all the way through to High tide and in a clean swell can produce excellent left and right peaks.
Both sections of the beach perform best with a W to WSW swell direction and E to SE (offshore) wind direction.
What to Surf at Widemouth Bay
The good news is that Widemouth Bay is suitable for every type of water enthusiast. Bodyboarders and swimmers can enjoy the rolling waves between the lifeguarded red and yellow flags.
Jump on our range of softboards and have fun learning to surf with our enthusiastic and well qualified surf instructors.
Paddle out back and you’ll find a peak suitable for Longboarders, shortboarders or fun with your Fish!
Widemouth Bay Parking
There are viewing areas with free parking located 10 minutes walk to the north and the south of the main beach, with the council run main beach car park providing ample parking at a reasonable rate.
Black Rock has a separate privately run car park and entrance south of Widemouth Bay.
Ask us Anything…
OA Surf club has been based at Widemouth Bay since 1981 and have a wealth of knowledge of the local area. We provide surf lessons, coasteering and accomodation with our bed and breakfast – OA Stay – half a mile from Widemouth Bay.
If you have any questions or want to know more about what we do, you can contact us using the links below or why not take a look at our other blog entries.