The Best Beaches for Surfing in the UK

When you think of surfing, the beaches in the UK might not initially spring to mind which is something that needs to be changed as soon as possible.

The UK has a huge number of amazing beaches, many of which are perfect for surfers of any level and ability to come and enjoy a day on the waves, alongside a whole host of beach-side activities the entire family can enjoy together.

This handy guide will not only help you to know what to look for when trying to find a great place to surf but will also offer you the top three destinations in the UK that you should consider for your next holiday spot.

What you should look for

If you want to go surfing, then it is not enough to simply find the nearest beach to you and hope that it will be suitable.

To begin with, you need to learn the different types of waves for surfing and research where these will occur, basing your decision off of these facts. An example of this is looking for a reef break over a beach break. A reef break means that there is a consistent sea bed (that isn’t moving around like the sand on the beach will) and thus you are better able to predict the kind of ride you are going to have and how to paddle out into the ocean.

You’re also going to need to be well-equipped. UK beaches are beautiful, yes, but water temperatures around the British Isles aren’t the warmest. Make sure you have a wetsuit that’s going to keep your body temperature stable even on cold, windy days. If you haven’t been surfing for a while and you need a new wetsuit, you can now get them in a range of colours, from floral wetsuits to Camouflage Wetsuits. Style aside, a quality wetsuit is essential if you want to surf in the UK, so don’t go without one.

Formby Beach

A great way to find these beaches is by going to Coastradar.com, which helps you find the perfect spot from a comprehensive database of beaches in the UK and around the world. One ideal place you will find on Coast Radar for surfing is the wonderful Formby beach in Merseyside.

Formby beach is great for both regular surfing and trying your hand at Kitesurfing as well. This location is also a National Trust site, meaning that the beach is well kept and there is plenty of wildlife to see.

Newquay

The second beach that this guide recommends you check out is Newquay as this is the perfect place to learn to surf for beginners. There are plenty of surfing schools that you can attend to help you learn the ropes or, if you have surfed before, get a chance to refresh your skills and have a great time out on the waves.

Thurso

If you fancy something off of the beaten track that offers something a bit different, then making the journey to Thurso beach in Scotland is the right choice for you. Alongside the beach, there are castles and museums the whole family will enjoy and, while surfing, you will get to see the glorious Scottish countryside all around you, which is often referred to as some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. There are so many things to do near Thurso beach that you will be spoilt for choice in your time taking a break from the waves.

Going surfing doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands on flight and hotels abroad when you have so many amazing places to visit right here in the UK.