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Crow Point

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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 can be brown & "earthier". Where they meet, there's often 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!

 

panoramic photo over Crow Point - click for scrollable photo
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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.

Note: Motorhomes are not allowed along the toll road to Crow Point. (Jul 2020)

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How the winds work:

Wind Direction Comments
N Cross-off. Unknown condtions.
NE Good blasting
E Good blasting
SE Onshore. Should be good for blasting and trips up the estuary and across to Instow. Poss gusty.
S Good for blasting across to the jetty and back
SW Cross-shore. Good blasting
W Cross-off. Good blasting
NW Dead offshore. Unknown condtions.
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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.

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Hazards:

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

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Facilities:

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

Otherwise - Nowt! Zilch!

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B&B's / campsites

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

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Pubs and eateries

Refer to saunton

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This page last updated: 3rd Sep, 2021.