United Kingdom · Atlantic Europe
Each location is refreshed once every three hours. The hourly view, 7-day forecast, luck factor and packing notes come from the same stored update.
We compare the 7-day forecast with the version-matched historical observations available for the same time of year at Widemouth Bay. The delta shows whether conditions look better, worse or about the same as a typical late July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Not much swell but keen eyes will find something to ride. Short-period chop. The waves lack any real push. Onshore wind making a mess of the surface.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Widemouth Bay is a rugged, highly exposed beach break located just south of Bude on the North Cornwall coast. The bathymetric profile relies on a complex matrix of shifting silica sandbanks mixed with scattered rock reefs, particularly towards the southern end of the bay. Because the beach faces directly west, it captures unimpeded North Atlantic groundswells, taking the full brunt of winter storm systems. An easterly offshore wind is essential to groom the inherently choppy wave faces and hold up the steep sections. The wave mechanics provide rapid take-offs and fast, carveable left and right-hand walls, frequently throwing heavy sections on the lower tides. Due to the high volume of water moving across the shallow sandbars and rock, it generates substantial hydraulic force and aggressive rip currents. The intense pace requires rapid pop-ups and immediate speed generation. Therefore, Widemouth Bay is best suited for intermediate to advanced surfers who can confidently negotiate powerful, dynamic beach break conditions.
Heads up: rip risk elevated, and jellyfish: high.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 78% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Significantly cleaner air than a typical city. Ideal for outdoor exercise with minimal respiratory strain.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NO₂ 5, O₃ 3, PM10 2, SO₂ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 15:12
Moderate water clarity: ~8m visibility
Updated 10:31
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Widemouth Bay
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
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Create Profile →Partly. The model uses stored spot geometry, swell ranges and tide preferences where configured. It cannot see changing banks, crowds, access, closures or everything visible on a local cam, so treat it as a starting point.
The best week for surf at Widemouth Bay is the week of 23 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
Local knowledge and community tips for Widemouth Bay
Widemouth Bay is an exposed beach break just south of Bude on the north Cornish coast. It faces west into the Atlantic and catches swell consistently. The beach is wide with multiple peaks and a mix of sand and some reef influence. It offers a step up from Bude Summerleaze in terms of power and exposure while remaining accessible for intermediates. The drive in along the coast road reveals the surf before you even park.
Picks up any westerly Atlantic swell. An easterly offshore wind creates clean conditions. Works on all tides but produces different characteristics: low tide can be hollow, mid-tide more forgiving. Consistent from September through May. The 2-6ft range is ideal. Handles more size than Summerleaze due to the deeper bay.
The beach has multiple sections separated by rock outcrops. The northern section is most popular and has the easiest access. The southern section picks up slightly more swell and has reef influence creating more defined peaks. Walk along the beach and observe the sections before choosing. Each outcrop creates slightly different wave behaviour.
Rocks and reef exposed at lower tides, particularly in the southern sections. Rip currents on bigger days. The mixed sand/reef bottom increases consequence on falls. Strong shore drift in bigger swells. Lifeguards patrol the main section in summer.
Pay car park at the north end (seasonal charges). A second smaller car park serves the southern section. Short walks to the beach from both. Surf hire, toilets, and a cafe at the main car park. Popular with families in summer.
Busy on good days as it serves the Bude area alongside Summerleaze and Crooklets. The car park section is most crowded. Walking to the southern section usually rewards you with fewer people and often better waves. Surf schools use the inside whitewater. Weekends are busiest.
Widemouth is the slightly more serious option compared to Bude Summerleaze. The southern section, beyond the main rock outcrops, produces the best waves and has fewer people. The reef influence creates more structure than the pure sand further north. If Widemouth is too big or messy, Bude Summerleaze offers a gentler alternative. The car park cafe does a solid breakfast burrito.
Surf at Widemouth Bay
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Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 30 days of logged conditions.
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Widemouth Bay tend to be best between 06:00 to 09:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 43/100
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