Surfing at Westward Ho!
Beginner-friendly beach breaks, a brilliant local surf school, and somewhere warm for afterwards.
A proper beginner-friendly surf beach
Westward Ho! is one of North Devon's most welcoming places to learn. The long Blue Flag beach picks up consistent Atlantic swell but the wide, sandy bottom and gentle gradient make it far kinder to first-timers than the heavier reef-and-cliff breaks further along the coast. Catch it around low to mid tide and you'll find mellow, rolling waves that are ideal for finding your feet, while more experienced surfers still get plenty of fun days. It's a short walk or cycle from Waves & Walkways.
North Devon Surf School
If you're going to book a lesson, book with North Devon Surf School. They're our favourite (we're repeat customers ourselves), with a genuinely fantastic team.
They've been teaching people to surf here since 1988 and are recognised as a Surfing England "Centre of Excellence", so you're in safe, expert hands whether it's your first ever wave or you're sharpening up.
- Group and private lessons for all ages and abilities
- Wetsuit, surfboard and bodyboard hire
- Purpose-built centre just 50m from the beach, with shop, café, changing rooms and a warm shower
- Public parking right next to the surf school
Lessons typically run from February half-term through to the end of October. Two-hour group sessions are well priced (from around £25 per person at the time of writing) and suit ages 8 and up; check their site for current prices and to book.
Inclusive & wellbeing sessions
One of the things we love about the school is how hard they work to get everyone in the water.
Alongside regular lessons, the team run a changing programme of inclusive and wellbeing sessions through the year. Over the seasons that's included things like surfing for mental health, women's health mornings, menopause surf sessions, and a kids' club: a real community effort to make surfing something anyone can enjoy.
Because the line-up is seasonal and changes regularly, the best place to see what's currently running (and how to join) is their Facebook page, where they post sessions as they come up.
See what's on (Facebook)
Where to warm up after a surf
Nothing beats a hot drink and something to eat once you're back in dry clothes.
The surf school café
The easiest option of all: the school's own on-site café and warm shower mean you can thaw out before you've even left the car park.
Fairway Buoy
Overlooks the beach and serves cakes and drinks, with an outdoor pizza place in summer. A great spot to watch the next set roll in.
Rock Pool Cafe
An enormous menu of all-day breakfasts, lunches and desserts, perfect for refuelling after a couple of hours in the water.
Atlantic Bay Fish & Chips
A proper seaside chippy in the village. Post-surf fish and chips is a North Devon rite of passage.
A few tips before you paddle out
Aim for low to mid tide
That's generally when the waves are cleanest and friendliest for learning. A lesson takes the guesswork out of it: the instructors know exactly when and where to be. Check today's surf, wind and tide conditions before you head down.
Just bring a towel
Wetsuits and boards come with your lesson or hire, so all you really need is a towel, swimwear, and something warm for afterwards.
Park for free
There's public parking next to the surf school, and more free spots nearby. See our free parking in Westward Ho! guide.
Prices, session times and the inclusive programme are set by North Devon Surf School and change through the year, so always check their website or Facebook for the latest. For more of the area, see our guide to things to do in Westward Ho!.
Planning a surf trip?
Staying a few days? Make Waves & Walkways your base: a short walk from the waves, with somewhere warm to come home to. Check our availability and book direct.
Check Availability