North Cornwall's original surf town, with Summerleaze Beach in the town centre and Crooklets and Widemouth Bay a short drive either side. A forgiving, west-facing beach break that picks up most Atlantic swell, with the river breakwater giving some shelter at the southern end. Best for intermediate surfers and up.
🌡️ ~15.5°C now · a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Advanced: Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Local surf community
Local shops, schools and places to stay near Bude (Summerleaze) worth checking out.
OA Surf Club offers surf lessons and surf hire from Widemouth Bay, Bude, plus coasteering sessions for when it's flat. Our fully qualified surf coaches and beach lifeguards run lessons for individuals, families and groups, from beginners to advanced.
Big Blue Surf School is based on Summerleaze Beach, Bude, and has been operating for over 30 years. We offer surf lessons for families, groups and individuals, and run private lessons all year. Our surf lessons are 2 hours long and include all the specialist equipment.
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New spots, best-month tips and the local crews at Bude (Summerleaze). Tag us in your clips and we'll share them.
Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Advanced: Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
All-time average wind & swell
Dashed line marks Bude (Summerleaze)'s known offshore direction. Bright arrow is the all-time average swell direction, colored arrow is the all-time average wind direction at 19 km/h — hover or tap either arrow for exact values.
Monthly avg wave height (ft)
Monthly avg wind speed (km/h)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 10° | 9° | 10° | 11° | 13° | 16° | 17° | 18° | 17° | 16° | 14° | 12° |
Averages from 3 years of daily wave, wind and water temperature data — what a typical year looks like, not a forecast.
Waves average 7.7 ft (2.4 m), with cross-onshore winds around 21 km/h from the SW. Water is ~10°C: a 4/3mm or 5/4mm full suit with boots and gloves. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 6.7 ft (2.1 m), with cross-onshore winds around 20 km/h from the SW. Water is ~9°C: a 4/3mm or 5/4mm full suit with boots and gloves. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.9 ft (1.8 m), with cross-offshore winds around 19 km/h from the S. Water is ~10°C: a 4/3mm or 5/4mm full suit with boots and gloves. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 4.8 ft (1.5 m), with cross-offshore winds around 19 km/h from the S. Water is ~11°C: a 4/3mm or 5/4mm full suit with boots and gloves. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 3.3 ft (1.0 m), with cross-offshore winds around 16 km/h from the NE. Water is ~13°C: a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 3.5 ft (1.1 m), with onshore winds around 16 km/h from the W. Water is ~16°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 4.2 ft (1.3 m), with onshore winds around 18 km/h from the W. Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 4.6 ft (1.4 m), with onshore winds around 18 km/h from the W. Water is ~18°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 4.9 ft (1.5 m), with cross-onshore winds around 18 km/h from the SW. Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for intermediates and advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.4 ft (1.7 m), with cross-onshore winds around 19 km/h from the S. Water is ~16°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for intermediates and advanced surfers.
Waves average 6.5 ft (2.0 m), with cross-onshore winds around 21 km/h from the SW. Water is ~14°C: a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 8.0 ft (2.4 m), with cross-onshore winds around 25 km/h from the SW. Water is ~12°C: a 4/3mm or 5/4mm full suit with boots and gloves. A best month for advanced surfers.
For intermediates: Apr–Oct. For advanced surfers: Sep–Mar. The biggest waves come in December, averaging 8.0 ft (2.4 m), and the smallest in May, at 3.3 ft (1.0 m).
It ranges from ~9°C in February to ~18°C in August, averaged over 3 years of daily readings.
In February (~9°C): a 4/3mm or 5/4mm full suit with boots and gloves. In August (~18°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty.
Not really: Bude (Summerleaze) is best suited to intermediate and advanced surfers.
The nearest airport is NQY (limited connections), and the nearest town is Bude, United Kingdom. Many surfers fly into Bristol (BRS) instead, about 180 km or 2.5 hours' drive away.
