The full guide
Read straight through, or use the planning notes above to shape an easier coastal day.
Lifeguard cover changes by beach and season. Check the RNLI's current patrol dates before travelling, then follow local signs, flags and lifeguard advice on the day. Do not rely on a previous year's timetable.
Crooklets is a broad, west-facing beach on the northern edge of Bude, fully open to the Atlantic and edged on either side by rocky outcrops. It is a sandy beach with pebbles gathered near the top, and when the tide drops it reveals a wide stretch of firm sand together with a maze of rock pools among the rocks, which makes it a rewarding spot for younger explorers as well as surfers.
The exposed swell has long made it a favourite for surfing and bodyboarding, picking up a little more wave than nearby Widemouth Bay, and the beach is home to the Bude Surf Life Saving Club. Shifting sandbanks across the tidal range tend to produce a mix of rights and lefts for those in the water.
Crooklets is easy to combine with its neighbours. As the tide falls it merges with Summerleaze beach next door, opening up a gentle walk across the sand towards the much-loved Bude Sea Pool, the sheltered tidal bathing pool set against the rocks. The town centre is only a short stroll away at the top of the beach.
Common questions
- Where is Crooklets Beach?
- Crooklets Beach lies just north of the seaside town of Bude on Cornwall's north coast, a short walk from the town centre at the end of Crooklets Road.
- What is Crooklets Beach known for?
- It is known for its Atlantic surf and watersports, its broad sands and the many rock pools uncovered at low tide. It connects to neighbouring Summerleaze beach along the shore when the tide is out.
- Are there lifeguards at Crooklets Beach?
- Yes. RNLI lifeguards patrol Crooklets during the main summer season; as with any beach, check the current patrol dates and the flags before entering the water, as conditions and cover can change.
