Bantham
Bantham sits at the mouth of the River Avon in South Devon, where the river creates sandbars that produce surprisingly powerful waves.
Bantham surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (210°)
- Direction range
- 190° - 250°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNW (340°)
- Offshore range
- 310° - 20°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
12°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
7/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Bantham?
Bantham is a beach break in South Devon, UK, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Bantham?
Bantham picks up swell from the S round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Bantham?
A NNW wind is dead offshore at Bantham, and anything from the NW round to the NNE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Bantham?
Bantham is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Bantham?
The most reliable run of swell at Bantham comes Sep to Feb. There's a second window in Mar to May too.
How cold is the water at Bantham?
The water at Bantham averages around 12°C, so you'll want a 5/4mm with boots. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Bantham good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Strong rips at rivermouth. Water quality can be poor after rain. Crowded when good.
How do I get to Bantham?
The nearest airport on our list is EXT, then it's roughly a 55-minute drive.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Mar-May
Getting There
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