Downend Point (Croyde)

Croyde · Devon and the south coast · United Kingdom

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Downend Point (Croyde) (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/croyde-downend.

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Downend is the rocky headland at the south end of Croyde Bay. On a solid swell, a fast and hollow right breaks off the point over rock and sand and runs into the bay. It is the best-known of Croyde's reefs, but it is shallow and dangerous, so it is only for experienced surfers.

Level
Advanced
Break
Point break, reef
Waves
Rights
Crowd
Busy
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard or a step-up when it is big.

When it works

✓ A 1.5–3 m west groundswell with an easterly wind, at low tide on the push.

When it doesn't

✕ Small swells don't reach the point, high tide makes it fat, and westerly winds blow it out.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • rips
  • localism
  • crowds

Best months

October, November, December, January, February, March, April

Local tips

Watch it for a while before you paddle out: the take-off is close to the rocks, and a rip runs along the point. The local crew surfs it whenever it breaks, so wait your turn and don't drop in. If it is too heavy, the beach in Croyde Bay is a few minutes' walk away.

Getting there

Park at the Downend car park on the road between Croyde and Saunton, then walk down to the rocks at the south end of the bay.

Travel notes

How often it works
Needs a bigger swell than the beach, about 1.5 m or more, so it breaks mostly from autumn to spring and is often flat in summer. It holds very big swells.
Crowd and vibe
Usually only a few surfers, mostly experienced locals; the Croyde reefs are known for being localised.
Camping and vans
Bay View Caravan Park is just up the road towards Saunton, and Croyde Coastal Camping and Ruda Holiday Park are behind Croyde beach. Nearest campsite about 1.5 km away.
Facilities
None at the point. Toilets and cafés are at the Downend end of Croyde beach, and the village has surf shops.
Water quality
The nearest monitored water, Croyde Bay, was rated excellent in the 2025 English bathing-water classification.

Ideal conditions

Swell
W–WNW best, SW–NW works
Size
1.8–3 m offshore swell; starts at 1.3 m, holds to 4.5 m
Period
10 s minimum, best from 13 s
Wind
Offshore ENE–SE; handles onshore up to 10 km/h
Tide
low best, avoid high, on the rising tide
Faces
WNW (285°)

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