SUP — South Hams Coast

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Today's SUP Conditions

Salcombe Estuary & Bigbury Bay

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🏄‍♂️ Wind is the SUP paddler's biggest enemy — more so than waves. Even 15 mph can pin you against a shore or make progress impossible. Always paddle into the wind on the way out so you have it behind you coming home.

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Tides — SUP Timing

Salcombe / Bantham

📅 Add a free WorldTides API key in conditions.js for live tides | Salcombe tides ↗

⭐ Best for Salcombe EstuaryMid to high — more water depth in the creeks, magical scenery with less mudflat

⭐ Best for Kingsbridge CreekFlooding tide — paddle up the creek on the flood, drift back on the ebb. 2–3hr window.

⭐ Best for Bantham Wave SUPLow to mid — same as surfing. Sandbar exposed, waves peel properly

⭐ Best for Hope Cove / South MiltonAny tide — sheltered and shallower, works at all states

🗺️ The Salcombe–Kingsbridge estuary has no Atlantic swell inside — perfect for SUP on any day the wind allows. Aim to launch 1–2 hours before high tide for the best water levels in the upper creeks.

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5-Day SUP Outlook

South Hams Coast

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Fetching forecast

🌬️ Wind forecasts beyond 2–3 days can shift by 5–10 mph. Always re-check the morning of your session — especially in winter when conditions can change fast.

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SUP Spots Guide

South Hams — flat water & wave

🏄‍♂️ Salcombe Estuary

Flat water — protected estuary

💨 Sheltered from SW–W swell
🕐 Best: Mid to high tide
📏 Route: Whitestrand → Snapes Point
⭐ Stunning scenery, clear water
🚤 Watch: ferry crossing traffic
🌊 No swell — wind only concern

Best Flat Water

🏄‍♂️ Kingsbridge Creek

Flat water — upper estuary

💨 Very sheltered — good in wind
🕐 Best: Flooding tide only
📏 Route: Kingsbridge → Salcombe
⭐ Remote creeks, wildlife, herons
⚠️ Can dry out at low water
🚣 6km one-way — plan your return

Tide-dependent

🏄‍♂️ Bantham (Wave SUP)

Wave SUP — river mouth

🌊 Works: SW–W swell
💨 Best: Offshore NE wind
🕐 Best: Low to mid tide
📏 Catch long peeling rights
⭐ South Devon's best wave SUP
⚠️ River rip — respect it

Intermediate+

🏄‍♂️ Hope Cove

Flat water — sheltered cove

💨 Protected from N–NW winds
🕐 Best: All tides
📏 Inner & outer harbour
⭐ Calm days — glassy water
🐟 Good snorkelling too
🐟 Mackerel summer sessions

Beginners OK

🏄‍♂️ South Milton Sands

Beach — flat water lagoon

💨 NT reserve — sheltered lagoon
🕐 Best: Rising tide fills lagoon
📏 Loop around island at HW
⭐ Incredible when glassy
🦅 Wildlife — waders, egrets
🌿 SSSI — be respectful

Wildlife Gem

🏄‍♂️ Bigbury Bay

Open coast — all conditions

🌊 Flat days: open water touring
💨 Exposed — check wind first
📏 Burgh Island circuit at HW
⭐ Epic paddle around Burgh Island
⚠️ Tidal current between island
🚀 Experienced open water only

Experienced

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Paddling Routes

Plan your session

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Salcombe Estuary — The Classic

6–10 km return · 2–3 hrs · All abilities

Launch from Whitestrand Pontoon or North Sands. Paddle south through the estuary past Snapes Point to Bolt Head on a calm day, or north towards East Portlemouth. Crystal clear water, seals, stunning views back to Salcombe town. Check the ferry crossing times at the Salcombe/East Portlemouth crossing.

⭐ Recommended Mid–High tide <15mph wind

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Burgh Island Circuit

4 km · 1.5–2 hrs · Experienced

Launch from Bigbury-on-Sea beach at high tide and paddle a full circuit of Burgh Island. The channel between the island and beach has a strong tidal race — only cross when the tide is slack. The south coast of the island is exposed to Atlantic swell, so only attempt this on flat calm days. Epic views of the Art Deco hotel.

⚠️ Experienced Slack water only Calm days

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Kingsbridge to Salcombe — The Estuary Run

10 km one-way · 3–4 hrs · All abilities

One of the most magical SUP routes in Devon. Launch from Kingsbridge town quay on a flooding tide and paddle through the upper creeks — Frogmore Creek, Waterhead Creek, through Batson — arriving in Salcombe for lunch. Arrange a car shuttle or paddle back on the ebb. Completely sheltered, incredible wildlife.

⭐ Epic Day Out Flooding tide only Car shuttle needed

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Bantham Wave SUP

Beach session · 1–2 hrs · Intermediate+

When there's a SW–W swell running (2–4ft ideal), Bantham's river mouth sandbar produces long, peeling wave SUP sessions. Paddle out through the channel beside the river, work the right-hand peelers. Mid to low tide for the best banks. The same rip current that helps surfers get back out assists SUP paddlers too — use it. Keep well clear of the river outflow in spate.

Intermediate+ SW–W swell Low–mid tide

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Wind Guide for SUP

Know your limits

0–8 mph

F0–F2

🌟 Glassy / perfect — any location, any ability

8–15 mph

F3–F4 light

✅ Good — manageable. Paddle into wind first, return with it behind

15–22 mph

F4–F5

⚠️ Estuary only — sheltered spots. Open water risky

22+ mph

F5+

🚫 Stay ashore — risk of being pinned or blown offshore

☝️ Offshore wind (blowing out to sea) is the danger for SUP — a fall means you can drift away from shore faster than you can paddle back. Always check wind direction, not just speed.

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SUP Gear Guide

What you need on the South Hams coast

🏄‍♂️ Board — Flat Water10'6"–12' all-round iSUP, wide tail for stability. 32–34" wide ideal for beginners. Inflatable is fine for the estuary and easy to transport.

🌊 Board — Wave SUP8'–9'6" performance board, thruster or quad fins. Hard board preferred. More rocker, narrower for manoeuvrability at Bantham.

🔗 LeashMandatory — always wear it. Coiled leash for flat water, straight leash for waves. Your board is your emergency flotation.

🦺 PFD / Buoyancy AidLegally required if over 150m from shore. Slim waist-belt PFD keeps it non-restrictive for paddling. Don't skip it in winter — cold water shock impairs swimming fast.

🤿 WetsuitSame as surfing guide — 5/4mm + hood + boots in winter. You will end up in the water. You will get cold. Plan for it.

🧭 NavigationWaterproof phone bag + downloaded offline Navionics chart or OS map. Easy to lose track of position in the upper estuary creeks. Tide table essential.

🌬️ Pump & PressureInflate iSUPs to 15–20 PSI — under-inflation = poor performance and tippy boards. Double-action pump or electric pump recommended.

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SUP Hire & Lessons

Local providers

Operator	Location	What's Available
Salcombe SUP	Salcombe Estuary	Board & paddle hire, guided estuary tours, lessons
Island Surf	Bigbury-on-Sea	iSUP hire, wave SUP boards, wetsuits
Kingsbridge Activity Centre	Kingsbridge Quay	Estuary SUP sessions, group hire
South West SUP	Salcombe area	Guided tours, instruction, all gear included

Most hire operators are seasonal (Easter–October). In winter, you'll likely be on your own kit. A guided estuary tour is the best way to learn the tides, currents and launch spots if you're new to the area.

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SUP Safety — South Hams

Read before you launch

💨 Offshore WindMost dangerous condition for SUP. East or NE wind can blow you offshore from Bigbury Bay. Check direction AND speed.

🌊 Burgh Island ChannelStrong tidal race between beach and island — can reach 3+ knots at spring tides. Cross at slack water only.

🚤 Salcombe FerryFoot ferries cross the estuary regularly. Give way to all powered craft and keep well clear of ferry routes.

🌀 Bantham River RipPermanent rip current runs beside the River Avon channel. Useful for getting out back, dangerous if you panic. Stay calm, paddle parallel to shore.

❄️ Cold Water ShockFeb water is ~9°C. Cold water shock can cause involuntary gasping and loss of swimming ability in seconds. Always wear a wetsuit and PFD.

📱 Tell SomeoneAlways tell someone your plan — where you're launching, route, expected return. Leave a note on your car dashboard.

🆘 Emergency999 — ask for Coastguard

📻 VHF Channel 16Monitored by HM Coastguard

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Local SUP Tips

From people who paddle here

🌅 Dawn PatrolThe estuary is glassy first thing in summer before any sea breeze fills in. 07:00 launch on a still morning is as good as it gets in South Devon.

🗺️ Explore the CreeksThe upper creeks above Salcombe — Batson Creek, Frogmore Creek, Waterhead — are remote, peaceful and stunning. Only accessible around high water.

🦭 WildlifeSeals haul out at Bolt Head and in the lower estuary. Paddle quietly and they'll often let you get surprisingly close. Egrets, curlews and kingfishers in the creeks.

🌊 Wave SUP at BanthamIf you're competent on a wave SUP, Bantham on a 2–3ft SW swell is exceptional. Long, mellow rights off the sandbar, uncrowded in comparison to the surf lineup.

🚗 ParkingWhitestrand car park (Salcombe) is expensive but closest to the water. North Sands is better value. Kingsbridge Quay has paid parking right next to the launch.

🍺 Post-PaddleThe Ferry Inn at Salcombe has a waterfront terrace. The Tides Reach does a great lunch. For Bantham sessions, The Sloop Inn is right there — outstanding.

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Post-Paddle Pit Stop

Well earned

Venue	Where	Why
The Ferry Inn	Salcombe	Waterfront terrace, right on the estuary. Perfect after a paddle.
The Fortescue Inn	Salcombe town	Proper pub, great ales, classic South Devon feel.
The Sloop Inn	Bantham	Right at the end of the lane to Bantham beach. Legendary post-surf/SUP spot.
The Pilchard Inn	Burgh Island	Walk across the causeway after your Bigbury paddle. Incredible setting.
The Crabshell Inn	Kingsbridge	Pontoon pub right on the estuary — perfect after the Kingsbridge–Salcombe run.

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Live Forecasts & Resources

Check before you launch

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Windfinder — Salcombe

Hourly wind forecast, gusts, direction

Check Wind →

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XCWeather UK

Detailed local wind model — SUP paddlers swear by it

Check Forecast →

For SUP, wind is more important than waves. Windfinder's hourly model is reliable for the estuary. Check the 06:00 forecast on the morning of your session.

🏄‍♂️ SUP

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