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Devon

Sandy Bay

7.2 · Beach · Devon

Sheltered sandy cove east of Exmouth between Orcombe Point and Straight Point, with clean sand in the bay and rocky fringes at either end. Suits surf fishing for bass and summer shoals, with wrasse and pollack from the rockier ends. Best on a flooding tide, especially dawn/dusk or after a blow. Night sessions produce flatfish and dogfish. Access is via steps/paths from Devon Cliffs or the South West Coast Path. Beware being cut off at the rocks on a making tide and observe Straight Point firing range red-flag closures.

Should you fish Sandy Bay?

54 Fair

Today · Best available

Best available: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Mackerel and Ballan Wrasse

Fair conditions. Best available around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Mackerel and Ballan Wrasse.

NW 4 mph Rain 0% High tide 12:14

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Sandy Bay — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Wednesday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Sandy Bay fishes like two marks in one: a clean, sheltered surf beach through the middle for bass, flatfish, whiting and dogs, with rockier ends adding wrasse, pollack, mackerel and garfish potential. The strongest plan is usually to fish the flood, especially the two hours up to high water, choosing the open sand for bait fishing and the rocky fringes for lure, float or rough-ground tactics. Dawn, dusk and after-dark sessions can lift results, but avoid being tempted onto the rocks late in the flood where cut-off risk increases.

  • Know whether to fish the open sand or the rocky ends before you walk down.
  • Time the flood properly instead of wasting the dead water.
  • Pick the right short-cast gutter tactics for bass, sole and flounder.
  • Avoid the cut-off traps around the rocks on a making tide.
  • Have a realistic backup if weed, swell or range closures spoil the plan.

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Exmouth 1.8 mi Budleigh Salterton 2.6 mi Cockwood 3.6 mi Dawlish Warren 3.6 mi East Budleigh 3.8 mi

Explore nearby towns: Exmouth · Budleigh Salterton · Cockwood · Dawlish Warren · East Budleigh

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

7.2 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 6/10

Bass 8/10
Tip: Fish the surf on a flooding tide at dawn/dusk; crab or sandeel baits, or shallow-diving lures along the gutters.
Mackerel 7/10
Tip: Summer to early autumn from the headlands; small metals or feathers, best on the flood at first/last light in clear water.
Whiting 6/10
Tip: Winter nights over clean sand; lug tipped with mackerel, short casts. Best on the flood.
Plaice 6/10
Tip: Long casts over clean sand on neaps; beads with rag or lug. Best spring–early summer, mid-flood to high.
Flounder 6/10
Tip: Short casts with rag or lug into the first gutter; winter and after blowy spells. Slow water around low to mid-flood.
Ballan Wrasse 6/10
Tip: From rocky points nearby, drop crab or rag into kelp gullies on a flooding tide; daytime with strong tackle.
Golden-grey Mullet 6/10
Tip: Calm summer evenings; freelined bread or tiny rag strips in surf gutters with light gear. Rising tide.
Pollack 5/10
Tip: From rock ledges at dusk; work small soft plastics or metals parallel to weed lines on the flood.
Dover Sole 5/10
Tip: Warm, calm nights May–Sep; small ragworm baits, short casts into the first gutter. Neap tides and gentle surf fish best.
Garfish 5/10
Tip: Float-fish small sandeel strips from rocky points in summer; keep baits shallow. Flood tide and clear water help.

Local knowledge

Sandy Bay fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Sandy Bay sits between Orcombe Point and Straight Point on the Exmouth side of East Devon, a south-facing sweep of clean sand backed by high, crumbly cliffs. It’s primarily a family beach attached to the Devon Cliffs holiday park, but it also offers quietly productive shore fishing for bass, flatfish and winter whiting when you pick your times. The ends of the bay add rocky interest for wrasse and pollack, while the open sand yields classic surf-beach opportunities after dark.

This mark is the sandy beach below Devon Cliffs, with access via the South West Coast Path from Exmouth/Orcombe or from the East Devon side near Straight Point when the range isn’t active. Access is straightforward but can involve steep steps or slopes; plan your approach around tides and any range closures.

  • Best public access is from the Exmouth/Orcombe end: park on or near the seafront (pay-and-display around the EX8 seafront) and follow the signed Coast Path towards the Geoneedle and on to Sandy Bay; allow 20–40 minutes on a rolling path with steps.
  • Access through the holiday park is usually for guests; outside visitors should use Coast Path approaches. Expect a final descent by steps/steep path to the sand.
  • From the east, sections of the path near Straight Point may close during live firing; obey red flags/lights and posted diversions.
  • Terrain is clean sand across the centre of the bay, with low rock ledges and bouldery ground tight under the cliffs at either end.
  • Parking is plentiful back in Exmouth; limited verge/lay-by options exist near range approaches but check local signage and avoid blocking gates.

Species reflect a classic clean-sand South Coast beach, with rocky fringe species at either end. Expect better fishing at dawn/dusk and into darkness.

  • Spring to early summer:
    • Bass (schoolies early, better fish after onshore blows)
    • Plaice and dabs on calmer, clear days
    • Wrasse and pollack from the rocks at the ends
  • High summer:
    • Bass in surf, particularly after a southerly stir
    • Smoothhound (occasional) on crab baits at dusk
    • Garfish and the odd mackerel when shoals push tight to the headlands
    • Ballan wrasse under the cliffs (float-fished worm/crab)
  • Autumn:
    • Bass (peak shore time), dogs, rays (spotted/small-eyed occasional) on sandeel/squid cocktails
    • Plaice/dab on worm/shellfish baits
  • Winter:
    • Whiting after dark, pouting, dogfish
    • Flounder possible but more reliable inside the Exe; the open bay produces occasional fish

Treat the middle as a surf beach and the ends as mixed/rough ground. Darkness, sensible bait choice and tidy presentation make the biggest difference here.

  • For the sand:
    • 2-hook flapper with size 2–1 hooks for flatfish/whiting; clipped-down 1–1/0 rigs if you need distance.
    • Bass/rays: 3/0–4/0 pulley/pulley-dropper with a sandeel or squid-and-sandeel cocktail; peeler crab is excellent in season.
    • Leads: 4–5 oz; use grippers if there’s sweep. Shockleader rule-of-thumb 10 lb per ounce of lead (e.g., 50–60 lb for 5 oz).
  • For the rocks (ends of the bay):
    • Float-fish ragworm or crab tight to ledges for wrasse; dawn/dusk for pollack with small metals or soft plastics.
    • Simple running ledger with rotten-bottom link if dropping baits into rough patches.
  • Lures for bass:
    • In light surf and decent clarity, shallow divers and surface walkers at first/last light.
    • In fizz or colour, try a white paddle-tail on a 7–10 g head in the gutters.
  • Baits: locally dug lug/rag, peeler crab, sandeel, squid. Keep baits streamlined for distance and use bait elastic to resist crab pickers.

This beach fishes best when it has some life on it. Target the flooding tide into dusk or the first part of the ebb if you’re not risking a cut-off at the ends.

  • Tide states:
    • 2 hours up to high water and the first hour of the ebb are prime from the sand; neaps can be kinder for presentation, springs move more water but increase sweep and cut-off risk.
    • The rock ends hold depth at lower water and can produce through more of the tide.
  • Conditions:
    • A modest onshore push (southerly quadrant) creates bassy surf; too much swell buries rigs and mobilises weed.
    • Clear, calm days suit plaice/dab; coloured water and chop favour bass and dogs.
  • Time of day/season:
    • After-dark sessions markedly improve catches of bass, whiting and the odd ray.
    • Late summer into autumn is the most consistent period for better bass from the sand.

It’s a committing bay with high cliffs, a firing range to the east, and real potential for cut-off. Treat it with respect and pick conservative routes in and out.

  • Cut-off risk: both ends flood hard against the cliffs on springs/high seas; always keep an escape route and a headtorch. Avoid positioning under the cliffs close to high water.
  • Straight Point Range: red flags/lights mean live firing; coastal path sections and adjacent waters may be closed. Do not attempt to pass the headland; check MoD notices before trips.
  • Cliffs/rockfall: soft, crumbly geology; avoid sitting under faces and beware falling debris after rain/frost.
  • Sea state: shore dump and rips develop in swell; keep clear of gutters and channel exits, especially near the rocky margins.
  • Footing: steep steps and soft sand; not suitable for wheelchairs or very limited mobility.
  • PPE: use a headtorch at night, wear grippy boots on rocks, and consider an inflatable lifejacket if fishing the ends or elevated ledges.
  • Summer lifeguards: respect flagged bathing zones if present; don’t fish among swimmers.

Facilities are concentrated in Exmouth town and within the holiday park (generally for guests). There’s little on the beach itself outside peak season.

  • Toilets: public conveniences along Exmouth seafront; limited or none on the beach in winter.
  • Food/drink: cafes and kiosks on the Exmouth front; seasonal outlets within the holiday park.
  • Tackle/bait: angling shops in Exmouth carry worms, crab and frozen sandeel/squid; check opening hours and pre-order live bait in summer weekends.
  • Lifeguards: seasonal RNLI cover focused on bathers; assume no cover outside peak months.
  • Mobile signal: generally fair but can be patchy under the cliffs; download forecasts/timetables in advance.

This mark rewards stealth, tidy rigs and working the natural features. Treat it like two venues in one: open beach and rocky ends.

  • Look for gutters and banks on a dropping swell; place baits on the up-tide lip of a gutter for bass.
  • If crabs are stripping baits, switch to sandeel/squid, use elastic, and shorten soak times.
  • After summer blows, expect rafts of weed; fish shorter casts into clearer lanes or move to an end with cleaner water.
  • A small clip-down rig with size 2 hooks and long snoods is deadly for dabs/plaice on bright, calm afternoons.
  • Dawn patrol with a surface lure along the first breaker can be electric for schoolie bass when the water clears.
  • Keep an eye on the Exe outflow: colour lines and temperature changes can push bait and bass along the bay on the flood.
  • Night sessions are more productive and avoid beach crowds; keep lights low and be discreet near holiday accommodation.

There is no blanket ban on angling here, but several local rules and seasonal restrictions apply. Always check up-to-date guidance before you go.

  • Straight Point Firing Range: public right of way and adjacent waters are closed during live firing; obey red flags/lights and MoD instructions.
  • Bathing zones: East Devon seasonal beach bylaws and RNLI lifeguard areas may prohibit fishing within flagged swimming/surfing zones and at busy times; follow on-site signage.
  • Bass rules: recreational bass regulations change periodically. Recent rules allow limited retention (minimum 42 cm, small daily bag) between March and November with catch-and-release outside those months; confirm current MMO guidance before retaining any bass.
  • Size/retention: most species have no statutory minimum size for recreational retention, but ethical minimum sizes from the Angling Trust are strongly recommended. Do not retain egg-bearing (berried) crustaceans.
  • Exe Estuary nursery: parts of the nearby Exe are designated Bass Nursery Areas with extra restrictions for boats; Sandy Bay is outside the estuary, but be aware if launching or fishing by boat nearby.
  • Protected sites and bait collection: local nature reserves and SSSI sections prohibit digging/collection; only harvest bait where it’s permitted and in moderation.
  • General: observe catch limits where applicable, take litter home, and avoid disturbing wildlife and cliff faces.