Sea Foam at Croyde Bay, Devon

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be at Croyde Bay, on the North Devon coast in England. I'd just driven around the coast from Braunton, and stopped off at Saunton Sands, which was wild and desolate, just how I like it.

It was a cold and windy day, the wind was whipping up the waves into a frenzy. Most excitingly was the beach, which was covered in a layer of foam covering the beach.

I mostly go to the beach in the Summer months, and not normally in wild weather, so have never experienced this. I've just found this which explains what's going on...

Algal blooms are one common source of thick sea foams. When large blooms of algae decay offshore, great amounts of decaying algal matter often wash ashore. Foam forms as this organic matter is churned up by the surf. Most sea foam is not harmful to humans and is often an indication of a productive ocean ecosystem.

Croyde is one of those places that's full in the Summer of people escaping to the coast, and occupying their second homes, and filling up the caravan parks, the beaches are full and the surf shacks are buzzing.

This was early March in a pandemic, it was blissfully quiet, just a couple of people walking their dogs, and me. 

It was close to the end of the day, the sun was starting to go down, and I took these pictures, I hope it goes a little way to capturing the energy of the sea, the wildness of the weather, and the beauty of the North Devon landscape.