Devon Rocks for Families that Surf

If you're planning a surfing holiday for you and your family then it really is a no-brainer… Devon, North Devon to be exact. It has the beaches, the waves, the culture and the infrastructure to make your surfing trip a total success.

In fact, Devon's beaches are so perfect that you can even find the exact wave strength to match yours, or your kids, capabilities. You just need to decide on which beach and given there are so many to choose from it pays to do your research. What is assured in North Devon is every prop you could possibly need in the form of hire shops, surf schools, beach bars and lifeguards. And the beaches are so scenic and beautiful that you'll feel like you're in a movie scene.

The North Devon coastline is dramatic and craggy and most of its beaches are big and sandy, with the added bonus of creature filled rock-pools at either end to entertain the kids while you take to the waves in search of the perfect ride. There are plenty of seaside towns offering a huge selection of beach cottages in North Devon, so it all depends on what kind of culture and beaches you're looking for.

One stonking resort for families is Ilfracombe, home to a variety of stupendous blue flag Beaches, referred to as the Tunnel Beaches. This is because you access the main beaches via an extraordinary tunnel. These beaches provide kids, both large and small, glorious days filled with surfing stories that can be shared over the evening meal. The kids will never be bored thanks to a multitude of attractions and activities that are served-up on and near the beach all through summer.

Away from the main beach is Lee Bay, which offers some lovely self-catering rentals tucked away from the crowds and with a little less going on. This makes it an ideal location for those who don't want to be in the thick of the Ilfracombe's action, but still want to dip in now and again.

Woolacombe is another great non-resort surf beach further down the coastline with miles of gorgeous golden sands and a blue flag to its name. It is wild and duney and there are some wonderful family beachfront homes and plenty of beach cottages to rent offering easy access to the beach for families with children.

A little further south you'll find yet another stunning family surf beach called Saunton Sands. This is an immense stretch of sand with great beach facilities, a surf shop and a hire shop. Being such a huge beach means that there is plenty of space for surfers of varying levels of skill. The wave size and strength varies depending on where you are along the beach, allowing you to choose sections of the beach that are safer for the kids. But if the big beaches aren't your thing, then there is Croyde, a little beach renowned for its powerful waves, as well as its trendy and experienced surfing crowd. You need to be at least proficient to enter these waters, but it's great fun to watch and soak-up the vibe.

Another of the larger surf beaches ideal for families is Westward Ho which is great for kids with many amenities on-site for the young ones. You can also rent some great beachfront apartments in Westward Ho with incredible views across the Ocean. The centre of the social scene is bang on the promenade, which is a mausoleum to water sports and classic seaside entertainment. There are numerous cafes and bars where you can grab lunch or a drink, while keeping an eye on the kids. This is a very popular family beach in summer but the crowds are easily absorbed by the sheer expanse of sand, which is so huge that you'll never feel cramped.

If you’re looking for less of a resort feel, but still want to be close to all of the beaches mentioned thus far then head for Appledore, a sweet little fishing town that is all white-washed cottages and picturesque waterways. It's a cozy little place offering a perfect base for those families that are new to surfing and need some time doing the other stuff that kids love doing at the beach. The estuary here offers an immense body of sand and shallows for kids to explore all day if they like.

The town itself is homely, family oriented and almost trendy. The properties, cafes and restaurants have a unique, intimate and authentic air about them and the food is generally excellent and at affordable prices. But if Appledore's price tag doesn't convince you then try Bideford, another great base that is also round the corner from all the best surf beaches, but still at arm's length from the hectic social scene of the main resorts.

Whichever of the beaches mentioned you decide to choose, you can't go wrong... They all have their own charm and they all offer families great beachside accommodation for a range of budgets and of course excellent waves for all skill levels.