Surfing
Surfing
10 best longboarding waves in the UK and Ireland
How many of these spots have you visited?
Longboarding has found a new lease of life amongst British surfers over the past five years.
More and more surfers are tucking their shortboards away in the garage and buying 9ft retro longboards for those small, mellow wave days.
Whether you can hang ten or you’re just perfecting your pop-up, we’ve put together the best longboarding waves in the UK and Ireland. Time to start ticking these off your surf bucket list.
1. Crantock, Cornwall
Just around the corner from Newquay’s famous Fistral Beach, you’ll find this sandbar favoured by local longboarders. Crantock is a sweet right-hander that peels off the rocks at the north end of the beach where the River Gannel joins the sea. It’s more sheltered from the wind than other nearby surf spots. On sunny days, the water can be as clear and blue as the Caribbean.
Top tip: Drop in for a pub lunch at the Bowgie Inn afterwards.
2. South Bay, Scarborough
If you live over on the east coast of the UK, South Bay in Scarborough is a great place to find mellow longboarding waves. It works best on a northerly swell with winds from the north-west. Friendly locals welcome newcomers but make sure you keep your wits about you. On busy days, there can be 70+ surfers in the water.
Top tip: Surf shop Fluid Concept is a great place to stop off, grab some extra wax and find out more information about the break from local surfers.
3. Saunton Sands, Devon
Saunton Sands is known for being one of the best longboarding waves in the UK. It’s a slow easy-going break, perfect for noseriders looking for a wave that goes on forever. It’s best surfed on the ‘push’ as the tide is coming in, surging up the Bristol Channel.
Saunton is also home to the Hotdoggers Longboarding club, the oldest and largest longboarding club in the UK. They run annual surf trips to places like Sri Lanka when the British waters get a little bit too chilly.
Top tip: In peak summer time, the car park is expensive. Arrive before 9am or later in the evenings and park right next to the beach for free.
4. Skaill Bay, Orkney, Scotland
If you don’t mind the cold, head up to Skaill Bay on the island of Orkney where the North Sea meets the Atlantic. It’s a beautiful empty point break, located pretty much as far north as you can get in the UK. Skaill Bay works best on a north-westerly swell with a south-easterly wind. Skara Brae just opposite is another great break to surf.
Top tip: Skaill Bay is a great place to surf during the summer months. Not only are there zero crowds, but the long daylight hours mean you can surf from 5am until nearly midnight.
5. Inch, Co Kerry, Ireland
Inch on the Dingle Peninsula is famous for having one of the longest waves in Ireland, peeling up to 200 yards when the conditions are right. The Strand is a 3km-long mellow beach break, busy with tourists and longboarders in the summer. It works best on south-westerly swell. The Reef only works a handful of times each year, but it can produce an amazing right-handed wave for those who are patient.
Top tip: Hire a car and drive the Wild Atlantic Way for some of the best surf spots in Ireland (including some hidden gems).
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6. Broughton, Gower Peninsula, Wales
Just above Rhossili Bay on the Gower Peninsula, you’ll find Broughton, a longboarders’ dream famed for its long rides during big swell. Broughton is an intermediate wave only because it can be dangerous at low tide with rips and strong estuary currents sweeping across the bay.
Top tip: If the waves are too small here (or you are a beginner), head over to Llangennith, which is a nearby 4km beach suitable for all abilities.
7. Sennen, Cornwall
Just north of Land’s End, you will find Sennen, the most westerly beach on mainland UK. This rugged sandy beach is a favourite spot for longboarders all over the country. It will pick up even the smallest ripple of swell from the west. The further north down the beach you go, the bigger the waves. It’s best surfed at low to mid tides.
Top tip: Head to Little Bo Cafe for a well-deserved bagel and coffee after your dip in the sea.
8. Brandon Bay, Ireland
Brandon Bay is a huge 6km beach break on the south-west coast of Ireland. The crescent bay captures a good amount of swell, creating mellow peeling waves. It’s especially longboard-friendly in the summer. Surf until your arms can’t take anymore and then sit in the sand dunes to watch the sun set over the ocean.
Top tip: Park up at Gowlane, especially when the waves are small. This section of the beach gets waves when the rest looks flat.
9. Woolacombe, Devon
If Saunton is too crowded, make your way up the North Devon coastline to Woolacombe, frequently voted one of the best beaches in Europe. It’s a three-mile long sandy beach break, popular with tourists in the summer and longboarders looking for nice glassy peelers.
During the summer months, there is a great cafe on Barricane Beach next door, serving the most delicious Sri Lankan curry. You can’t visit without giving it a try.
Top tip: When the tide is super low, head to the north end of the beach and catch some fun waves at Combesgate.
10. St Ouen’s Bay, Jersey
St. Ouen’s Bay is the best place to surf on the island of Jersey. In the 1960s, it was one of the hottest surf spots in Europe with hundreds gathering to ride the waves here. There are a number of breaks dotted along the bay, including Secrets and Watersplash, both popular with longboarders. St Ouen’s Bay also regularly hosts national longboarding competitions.
Top tip: Stop off at El Tico Beach Cantina for lunch. We’ve heard the pulled pork buns and Pad Thai are delicious!
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