Summerleaze Beach & Sea Pool, Bude

Posted by Waterloo Farm Holidays on Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Summerleaze Beach & Sea Pool, Bude

Distance: 30 minutes | Type: Beach & Tidal Sea Pool | Difficulty: Easy

Unique tidal sea pool plus sandy beach - perfect for families and safe swimming.

Overview

Summerleaze is Bude’s main town beach, featuring the unique Bude Sea Pool - a tidal pool that fills with fresh seawater at high tide. This combination of sheltered pool swimming and open beach offers something for everyone, from young children to serious swimmers.

The Sea Pool

  • Fills at high tide - Fresh seawater twice daily
  • Protected swimming - Sheltered from waves
  • Perfect for children - Safe, shallow areas
  • Free to use - Community facility
  • 35m length - Good for lane swimming
  • Beautiful setting - Ocean views

The Beach

  • Lifeguarded - Summer season
  • Sandy beach - Good for families
  • Good facilities - Full town amenities
  • Works all tides - Pool and beach options
  • Surf zone - Can surf here too

Facilities

  • Full town amenities - Everything you need
  • Showers - Outdoor showers available
  • Toilets - Beach facilities
  • Cafés - Multiple options nearby
  • Parking: Town car parks (pay & display)
  • Surf Hire - Available
  • Shops - Town center close

Swimming Options

Sea Pool (High Tide):

  • Calm, protected water
  • 1-2 hour swim window around high tide
  • Suitable for all abilities
  • Children can play safely

Beach Swimming:

  • Open water swim
  • Lifeguarded in summer
  • Between flags only
  • More challenging conditions

Best For

  • Families with young children - Sea pool is perfect
  • Learning to swim in the sea safely
  • Fitness swimming - Pool good for lengths
  • Beginners - Protected environment
  • All weather - Pool works in most conditions

Safety

  • Sea Pool:

    • Check tide times
    • 1-2 hours either side of high tide is best
    • Can have currents when filling/emptying
    • Seaweed can make rocks slippery
  • Beach:

    • Swim between lifeguard flags
    • Understand rip currents
    • Can have surf - check conditions

Best Time

  • High Tide - For sea pool swimming
  • Summer - Warmest water, lifeguards
  • Early Morning - Quieter pool
  • Sunset - Beautiful evening swims

Tide Times

Essential for sea pool - check:

  • BBC Weather
  • Tides4Fishing.com
  • Tourist information
  • We can provide tide tables at the farm

Getting There

From Waterloo Farm: 30 minutes via A3072 to Bude. Follow signs to Summerleaze Beach.

Postcode: EX23 8HN

Nearby

  • Bude town center (5 minutes walk)
  • Crooklets Beach (10 minutes walk)
  • Canal walk
  • Cafés and restaurants
  • Surf shops

Community

Bude Sea Pool Users:

  • Active community group
  • Regular swimmers
  • Social swims
  • All abilities welcome
  • Friendly atmosphere

Bude Surf Life Saving Club:

  • Beach safety
  • Ocean skills training
  • Family-friendly

What to Bring

  • Swimsuit (wetsuit optional in summer)
  • Towel
  • Shoes for rocky pool sides
  • Sun cream
  • Money for parking & refreshments

The Bude Sea Pool is a unique and wonderful facility - a proper community asset that offers safe swimming for all abilities. Combined with the beach and town facilities, Summerleaze offers one of the best family swimming days out in Cornwall.