Current Forecast & Tides
About this spot
Exmouth sits at the mouth of the Exe estuary on Devon's south coast, with the main kitesurf launch at Sideshore on Queen's Drive. The beach faces roughly south-east, sheltered to the west by the Exe estuary and to the east by the headland at Orcombe Point — a geography that makes S and SE winds the cleanest and most consistent direction here.
The defining feature of Sideshore is Pole Sands, a large sandbar that emerges on the dropping tide roughly 2–3 hours before low water. As it comes up, the channel between the beach and the sandbar runs fast and flat, creating excellent kitesurfing conditions with a long downwind run and relatively sheltered water. At low tide the sandbar itself is waist-deep for a long stretch — brilliant for riding and forgiving on crashes.
Wind character at Sideshore is worth understanding carefully. S and SE arrive cleanly off the sea and give genuine cross-shore conditions. SW works but often arrives over the hills behind Exmouth and can be gusty and variable — manageable in moderate breeze but not the direction to rely on. W and NW are even more affected by terrain; these winds typically send riders around to the Duckpond on the estuary side, where they are offshore and the water is perfectly flat.
Autumn and winter deliver the best conditions overall — the south-west coast of Devon rarely lacks a front between November and March. Summer brings lighter sea breezes, typically S or SE, which are excellent for direction if sometimes marginal in strength. Edge Watersports is the local school and shop on Queen's Drive and the best source of current local knowledge before your first session here.
Hazards
Lessons
Edge Watersports is the local school and shop based at Sideshore on Queen's Drive. They offer lessons for all levels at both the main beach and the Duckpond, plus equipment hire and local advice on conditions.
Getting there & parking
Exmouth is on the A376 from Exeter, roughly 12 miles south of the city — follow signs for the seafront and Queen's Drive. Sideshore is right on the seafront with a large car park directly above the launch, with space for long vehicles and campervans. East Devon District Council (EDDC) manage several seafront car parks with long-stay options. Check current charges and overnight campervan availability on the EDDC parking page.
Nearby spots
Also worth checking: Duckpond Exmouth (5 minutes away on the estuary side — the go-to in N/NW winds), Dawlish Warren (8 miles north up the estuary coast, useful in similar south-easterly winds), and Bantham (25 miles south-west, an excellent wave spot in SW conditions).
Water quality
Storm overflow data for Exmouth is monitored in real time by South West Water via their telemetry network. Current water quality status — including active sewage discharges and recent spill alerts — updates automatically in the live forecast app.
