Before you set off
Today's snapshot
Saunton is so flat that low tide pushes the sea a long way out and the waves become thin. Mid to high tide gives the long, peeling walls the beach is known for. Lifeguard cover here is not guaranteed, so check the RNLI listing before you plan to swim.
Plan your visit
Getting there
One large car park sits right beside the sand, just off the coast road. It uses number-plate cameras, so pay at the machine, in the shop or through the app before you leave.
- Parking: Use the beachside car park by the beach shop. It's the only parking with direct access to the sand.
- Dog rules: No seasonal ban. Dogs must be kept on a lead in front of the beach huts. A small section immediately north of the slipway is excluded from dogs. Remainder of the long beach is open year-round.
- Accessibility: A concrete ramp runs from the car park down to the sand in about 25 metres at a steady gradient. All-terrain beach wheelchairs can be hired from the beach shop.
- Lifeguards: RNLI cover is not guaranteed at Saunton. Check the RNLI lifeguarded beaches listing before visiting if you plan to swim.
Get in the water
Hire & lessons
In smaller surf around mid to high tide, Saunton's long, slow-breaking waves suit first lessons and longboards.
Saunton Surf Hire
Surfboard, bodyboard and wetsuit hire on the beach, with hot showers and storage.
Walking on Waves
A surf school at Saunton running small-group and private lessons, including for young children.
After the beach
Eat, drink & stay
There's a beach shop café at sand level and a large hotel on the cliff above.
Beachside Grill
A casual grill restaurant at beach level, open to non-residents and dog friendly.
Saunton Sands Hotel
The white hotel above the beach, with pools, a spa, restaurants and a wide view along the coast.
Behind the beach
Braunton Burrows
Braunton Burrows, the largest sand dune system in England, sits directly behind the beach. It forms the core of the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is important for rare plants and insects, including orchids in early summer. Waymarked paths run through the dunes from the beach and from the Burrows car parks, and staying on them protects both the plants and the fragile dune faces.
Local perspective
Local notes
Compared with Croyde, Saunton's waves tend to break more slowly in smaller surf around mid to high tide. That suits longboards, lessons and anyone who wants more time to get to their feet, while the long beach usually provides room to spread out.
Saunton also has no general summer dog ban, apart from the restricted areas described above. Go at mid to high tide for the surf, and leave time to walk into Braunton Burrows behind the beach - the dunes are a substantial landscape in their own right.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is Saunton Sands dog friendly?
No seasonal ban. Dogs must be kept on a lead in front of the beach huts. A small section immediately north of the slipway is excluded from dogs. Remainder of the long beach is open year-round.
What's the best tide for Saunton Sands?
Mid to high tide. The beach is very flat, so at low water the waves thin out and the sea retreats a long way.
Is Saunton good for beginner surfers?
In smaller surf around mid to high tide, Saunton's waves tend to break slowly and give beginners more time to get to their feet. Take a lesson if it is your first session, and remember that lifeguard cover is not guaranteed.
Are there lifeguards at Saunton Sands?
Cover is not guaranteed. Check the RNLI lifeguarded beaches listing before you visit if you plan to swim.
Is it safe to swim at Saunton Sands today?
Check the Environment Agency Swimfo profile and Safer Seas & Rivers Service before swimming for the latest water-quality information.
What is behind Saunton Sands?
Braunton Burrows, the largest dune system in England and the core of the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Keep to the paths to protect the plants and dunes.
Is Saunton Sands pram or buggy friendly?
Yes, as far as the sand. A concrete ramp runs from the car park down to the beach in about 25 metres at a steady gradient, though pushing a pram across loose sand is still slow going.
What facilities are available at Saunton Sands?
Saunton Sands has public toilets, including accessible facilities, and open-air showers at the main car park entrance. An accessible ramp leads towards the beach, beach wheelchairs can be hired, and a café, shop, and surf hire are on site.
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