Challaborough

Bigbury-on-Sea · Devon and the south coast · United Kingdom

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Challaborough (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/challaborough.

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Challaborough is a small curved bay just west of Bigbury-on-Sea and Burgh Island. The waves are hollow, fast and powerful, with a bowl section, and on big days a sharp, shallow wave breaks off the point at the right end of the bay. It is one of South Devon's best beach breaks.

Level
Intermediate
Break
Beach break, sand and rock
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Busy
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard.

When it works

✓ A 1.5–2.5 m south-west swell with a north-east wind, at most tides.

When it doesn't

✕ Small swells, and southerly or westerly winds.

Watch out for

  • rips
  • rocks

Best months

October, November, December, January, February, March

Local tips

The point at the right end is for experienced surfers only. The reef there is shallow, and the current along its inside pulls towards the rocks. On big days, expect sets far outside and peaks that keep moving.

Getting there

Bigbury-on-Sea, a 10–15 minute walk away, has the most room to park. At Challaborough itself there is only a tiny car park next to the sand, plus one in the holiday park. A sloping path and a slipway take you down.

Travel notes

How often it works
Inconsistent: it needs a Channel swell, so it works mostly in autumn and winter.
Crowd and vibe
Busy at weekends when it is on; quieter during the week.
Camping and vans
The holiday park behind the beach has static caravans; Higher Aunemouth Farm near Bantham takes tents. Nearest campsite about 3 km away.
Facilities
A café and beach shop, toilets in the holiday park, and lifeguards from May to September.
Water quality
Rated excellent in the 2025 English bathing-water classification (Challaborough).

Ideal conditions

Swell
SSW–WSW best, S–W works
Size
1.2–2.5 m offshore swell; starts at 0.9 m, holds to 3.5 m
Period
9 s minimum, best from 12 s
Wind
Offshore NNE–ENE; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
mid best
Faces
SW (216°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

Nearby spots

All spots in Devon and the south coast · All spots

Sources