Data reveals Wales is home to two of the UK’s top surfing spots

• Outdoor apparel brand D-Robe reveals the top 10 surfing destinations in the UK, according to data
• Whitesands Bay and Newgale, both in Pembrokeshire, Wales, made the top 10 thanks to their high user ratings, water quality and cleanliness
• Devon swipes the top two spots, with Cornwall’s beaches dominating the list and Scotland’s Aberdeenshire also making an appearance

With the promise of warmer weather on the way, many people are increasingly looking forward to hitting some of the UK’s most beautiful beaches, enjoying the best of what the British coastlines have to offer.

And there are fewer better ways to do that than a day or weekend of surfing – a sport that’s synonymous with summer, adventure, keeping fit and taking a carefree attitude to life, all at the same time.

But where are the best surf spots to visit in the UK?

Outdoor apparel brand D-Robe has dug into the data to find the UK’s best surfing spots – whether you’re a long-time pro or curious beginner.

Looking at a range of factors such as surfer ratings, water cleanliness, accessibility, photogenicity and average levels of wind, sunlight and pollution, they calculated an overall index score for each beach, before rounding up the 10 best UK beaches if you’re looking to include this sport on your summer bucket list.

The UK’s 10 best surf spots*, according to data, are:

1. Westward Ho! in Devon, England – 66.4 points out of 100
2. Croyde in Devon, England – 64.4 out of 100
3. Porthtowan in Cornwall, England – 64.4 out of 100
4. Trevone Bay in Cornwall, England – 63.9 out of 100
5. Polzeath in Cornwall, England – 63.2 out of 100
6. Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire, Scotland – 63.1 out of 100
7. Whitesands Bay in Pembrokeshire, Wales – 62.6 out of 100
8. Widemouth Bay in Cornwall, England – 62.5 out of 100
9. Crooklets Bude in Cornwall, England – 62.5 out of 100
10. Newgale in Pembrokeshire, Wales – 61.6 out of 100

*All the beaches in our top 10 list are Blue Flag beaches, ranking high for water quality in our analysis.

Image credit: D-Robe

Model wears The Roll Top in Midnight Black

What makes a beach ideal for surfing in the UK?

1. Westward Ho! – Devon, England

Grabbing the top spot is Westward Ho!’s very own beach in the north of Devon, England. Known for its sprawling sand and pebble landscape and scenic backdrop, it’s understandably one of the most popular spots for surfers in the UK.

Westward Ho! ranks well with surfers with an average rating of 3.7 out of 5. Its waters’ sandy bottom means there’s less chance of injury than with rockier bottoms, and while its waves are considered to sometimes be on the smaller side, it benefits from consistent Atlantic swells making it suitable for all skill levels.

2. Croyde – Devon, England

Swooping into second place is Croyde beach in Devon, England, which ranked highest for its number of Instagram hashtags, making it the most photogenic beach in our analysis!

The beach also scores highly with surfers, with a score of 3.8 out of 5, thanks to its consistent surf all year round and reef breaks that make for some exciting and challenging surfing conditions.

While this beach is ideal for more experienced surfers looking to test their limits, Croyde also has a number of surf schools, making it a great place to learn too, and there are plenty of rental shops for beginner and pro surfers alike to get all the equipment they need.

Croyde also ranked decently for cleanliness in our analysis, while its vibrant surfing community attracts surfers from all over the world who will surely enhance your experience.

3. Porthtowan – Cornwall, England

Cornwall’s Porthtowan beach has plenty of pros that helped it swipe third place in our ranking.

Firstly, it scores second for cleanliness in our analysis (behind only Polzeath), while its consistent Atlantic swells create reliable surfing conditions for experienced surfers all through the year (being mindful of rips and rocks).

The beach is equipped with various facilities such as rental shops and surf schools, and is even known to host surfing events and competitions, where surfers can meet like-minded people and enjoy a supportive surfing community.

4. Trevone Bay – Cornwall, England

Coming fourth in our ranking was Trevone Bay, also in Cornwall. The beach scores highly with both surfers (3.5 out of 5) and general users alike (8 out of 10) for its picturesque coastline setting and mixture of rocky and sandy bottoms.

While rocks can present a hazard to surfers, they also help to make for some excitingly diverse waves and that couldn’t be more true for Trevone Bay, which provides both lefts and rights. While it’s peak time for surfing may have passed (February) due to waves being blown out or considered too small the rest of the time, it means it’s perfect for beginners looking to cut their teeth during low-traffic periods.

5. Polzeath – Cornwall, England

Rounding out the top five is Polzeath in Cornwall, England, which scored highest for its cleanliness levels, as well as being suitably well-rated among surfers (3.5 out of 5) and users (8.5 out of 10).

With breathtaking views of the North Cornwall coastline, the beach also scored second for photogenicity (just behind Croyde), racking up an impressive 128,000 hashtags on Instagram!

With a mix of groundswells and windswells, Polzeath has a fairly consistent surf any time of year, though surfers are advised to watch out for dangerous rips. Its thriving surfing community and variety of surf schools, rentals, events and competitions make it ideal for newbies and experienced surfers to come together and do what they love best.

Image credit: D-Robe
Models wearing D-Robe Beaufort Robe in Dr Green / Admiral Navy

Matt Salkeld, spokesperson for outdoor robe experts D-Robe, said: “It’s incredible the number of surf-ready beaches that we’re privileged to have access to here in the UK.

“From families to friend groups; professionals to beginners, there’s something for everyone in our top 10 list of British surfing coastlines.

“No matter which corner of the UK you choose to surf, remember that water temps vary throughout the year – sometimes reaching as low as 6° in colder months but can exceed 20° in the summer. Always check the temp of the water where you’re going to surf, and wear a quality wetsuit as well as neoprene hood, gloves and boots in the winter and early spring.

“Our Beaufort dry robe was designed to encapsulate both form and function – keeping you protected from the elements without sacrificing on style or luxury. Whether you’re taking a break between waves or simply enjoying a casual beach walk, the versatility of our robes will always have your back, making it a must-have on your beach weekend trip!”