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Water Activites!

Seas the day!
19 Jan

Swimming, Surfing and other watersports!

 

Situated in the picturesque Harbour area of Ilfracombe Ocean Backpackers is only a 10-minute drive from the award-winning beach of Woolacombe, whose golden sands stretch for 3 miles to Putsborough Sands a favourite spot for seasoned local surfers. Nick Thorn offers coaching and hire of surf boards, SUPs and all the kit as well as coasteering for the more daring and he also give guest at Ocean backpackers a 15% discount.

 

Plasticfree North Devon have also donated some sustainable wooden body boards for visitors to use for FREE which is a great way to save money and lighten your load!

 

Around the headland (Baggypoint) from Putsborough, or a further 10-minute drive, is the beautiful Croyde Bay and its charming chocolate box thatched village. Again, you can hire surf equipment have lessons or go coasteering with Surfing Croyde Bay

 

Just beyond Crodye around the next headland is Saunton Sands, which boasts 4 miles of golden sands and the largest sand dune system in the UK, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. All these beaches offer surf hire & lessons and in Croyde you can also go Coasteering.

 

North Devon is now a designated  Surf Reserve and Woolacombe has some of the finest surfing in the UK. Strong westerly swells from the Atlantic Ocean roll in to our long, gently shelving sandy beaches. There’s no doubt about it: the best time to surf is autumn. Furthermore, the sea is at its warmest during early autumn, so it’s a win win for all sea sports including open water swimming.

 

At Ocean Backpackers we have place to wash and dry your wetsuits and secure dry storage for your boards.

 

For swimming you don’t have to get in your car. From Ocean Backpackers it is about a 6-minute walk to Tunnels Beaches. These tunnels were hand-carved in the 1820s, leading to a sheltered bathing area, a tidal pool and a cafe/bar. Very popular with families there is a small fee to enter and some spectacular rock pools.

 

If you would like to try some guided open water swimming Ali and Teri have loads of events and training on offer at  Coastal Swim coaching

 

Another great swimming spot is Hele Bay, where Hele Bay Adventures  offer Kayaking and SUP hire and Active Adventures offer these activities too as well as coasteering!

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Broadsands beach in Berrynarbor and Combe Martin also offer a more sheltered sea swimming experience and can reached from Ilfracombe by foot along the coast path (if you are a keen walker), or by bus.