Beach break · Devon · Beginner → Advanced
Forecast for Sunday 30 August
Intermediate : Slim pickings. Only if you're desperate. — Best window: 17h
Today's score by level (at the day's best, out of 100)
A large sandy beach in South Devon at the mouth of the Avon, facing Burgh Island. The beach break delivers long, playful waves suited to all levels, yet capable of producing outstanding sessions.
Autumn and winter give the best swells but water is cold. Summer = smaller waves, max crowd.
Good level required. You can stand, paddle and read a peak. When it fires, better know what you're doing.
Easy beach access, parking usually nearby. Ask locally about seasonal currents.
Wear an appropriate wetsuit. Scout the currents before you paddle out. Respect the locals and right-of-way. Check weather and tides.
Bantham usually works best around mid-tide. The tide shapes the sandbanks and the depth over the reef, so check the day's tide times before your session.
Bantham is rather recommended for intermediate surfers. If you're a beginner, prefer a surf school, a small swell and a suitable tide, or look for a more sheltered nearby spot.
The ideal wind at Bantham comes broadly from South: it's offshore, which helps shape and hold the waves. A strong onshore wind generally degrades conditions.
Around Bantham, you can also check conditions at Polzeath, Watergate Bay, Fistral. Compare the scores, wind and swell direction before choosing where to surf.