Crow Point

• General details
• Directions
• How the winds work
• Tidal conditions
• Hazards
• Facilities
• B&B's / Campsites
• Pubs & eateries

General details:

If it's too serious at Saunton, or if you're hesitant about sailing on the sea, & the tide's in or coming in, head down to Crow Point where you can sail in the Taw estuary.

Crow Point is at the far S end of Saunton sands, just inside the estuary. This is a great spot for blasting across the estuary to Instow. However, this is an estuary, so watch out for the currents in mid channel.

It dries out and gets muddy for quite a way at low tide - especially spring lows.

The launch area is really on the River Taw side of the estuary. Instow is on the River Torridge side. About half way between the two, there's a marked difference in the water coming downstream: The water in The Taw is fairly blue & sandy, whilst that in The Torridge is brown & "earthier". Where they meet, there's a very distinct line. If you're sailing on a falling tide, heading out from Crow, the water gets increasingly choppy until you hit this line. On the Torridge side, it's dead flat, all the way to Instow. Fascinating!

Here's a 55° panorama of the estuary at Crow Point (~150Kb)

update details

back to top

Directions to the right place:

From Bristol, take the M5 S. Leave at jn 27, taking the A361 to Barnstaple. Continue through Barnstaple on the A361 until Braunton.

As you're driving into Braunton, look out for a sign on the left to Velator industrial estate and - possibly - Crow Point these days, too. Follow this road for 500 yds to a T jn. Turn L & go through Velator, passing the Tiki wetsuit factory. After 1/2 mile, take the L fork, stopping at the house to pay the toll (private road). Carry on for about a mile down here. Try not to hit too many sheep on the way. Eventually, you'll come to a grassy area that looks like it's been used as a car park. That's the car park. Just over the hump on the L is the estuary.

Click here for location of Crow Point

update details

back to top

How the winds work:

W-SW - Perfect for blasting

S - Good for blasting across to the jetty & back.

SE - Probably gusty, but should be good for trips up the estuary & across to Instow.

E-NE - Should be great for blasting. May be gusty.

N-NW - Offshore. Unknown conditions.

update details

back to top

Tidal conditions:

HW springs tend to occur between about 07:30 and 08:30. HW neaps between 11:30 - 14:30 (GMT). Large tidal range - max is around 8.5m. That's why the sea goes so far out at Saunton!

Sailing is sensibly possible about 2hrs either side of HW, otherwise Crow Point dries out & becomes quite muddy.

update details

back to top

Hazards:

Keep clear of the mouth of the estuary as the tide's ebbing. You don't want to get swept out.

update details

back to top

Facilities:

Free parking (but you have to pay for the toll road)

Otherwise - Nowt! Zilch!

update details

back to top

B&B's / campsites

There are several campsites in the area - especially around Croyde.

update details

back to top

Pubs and eateries

There's the famous Thatched Barn in Croyde - very popular with surfers. Good meals, but pricey. For my money, you can't beat the Rock Inn, Rock Hill, Georgeham - a mile or so East of Croyde. Great food, excellent range of well-kept real ales & good prices.

Chippy, snack bars & other bijou eaterettes in Croyde. More pubs, shops, cafe's etc in Braunton.

update details

back to top

Content supplied by

Note: All comments and opinions mentioned in this section of the site are the personal opinions of the various contributors. Inevitably, one person's favourite may be another person's least favourite.

The information provided here is provided in good faith. We can take no responsibility for the consequences of any inaccuracies. Should you find any inaccuracies, then please take the trouble to tell us, using any of the update links.

back to top