Salt House Reef
Salt House Reef sits at the southern end of Widemouth Bay near Bude, where submerged rock formations create defined peaks with more power than the adjacent beach break.
Salt House Reef surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (295°)
- Direction range
- 260° - 330°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 2.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 13s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (100°)
- Offshore range
- 70° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
Water temp
12°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
5/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Salt House Reef?
Salt House Reef is a reef break in Widemouth Bay, Cornwall, UK, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Salt House Reef?
Salt House Reef picks up swell from the W round to the NNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WNW. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 2 to 2.6m. Period matters too: aim for 13s or longer, as anything under 9s 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 Salt House Reef?
An E wind is dead offshore at Salt House Reef, and anything from the ENE round to the SE 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 Salt House Reef?
Salt House Reef is at its best around the low to mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Salt House Reef?
The most reliable run of swell at Salt House Reef comes Sep to Feb. There's a second window in Mar to May too.
How cold is the water at Salt House Reef?
The water at Salt House Reef 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 Salt House Reef good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Submerged rocks form the reef. Watch for rips around rock formations.
How do I get to Salt House Reef?
The nearest airport on our list is NQY, then it's roughly a one-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near Salt House Reef?
The closest breaks we track are Croyde Bay (45 km), The Zorba (53 km) and The Cribbar (56 km), handy when Salt House Reef isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Mar-May
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Croyde Bay
Devon's classic beach break - Low tide rock shelf barrels - Crowded but fun
The Zorba
Cornwall's un-ridden big wave - Pentire reef - Last frontier
The Cribbar
England's big wave beast - Breaks a few times per year - Expert only
Tolcarne Wedge
Newquay wedge • Bodyboard barrel window • Tide-sensitive setup
Fistral Beach
England's surfing capital - Year-round waves - Ground zero for UK surf
Little Fistral
South Fistral reef - More technical than main beach - Local knowledge rewarded