Heading to the “Land of Song” for an action-packed staycation? If so, then the watersports enthusiasts among you will be pleased with the amount of fantastic surfing beaches there are in Wales!
From bustling hotspots to the region’s best-kept hidden gems, this guide has everything you need to know about the best surfing beaches in Wales, including the best time of year to visit and plenty of tips and tricks to get the most out of your session.
So, what are you waiting for? Keep scrolling to uncover a handful of the best surfing beaches in Wales…
Skip Ahead to:
• Best Surfing Beaches in Pembrokeshire
• Best Surfing Beaches in Carmarthenshire
• Best Surfing Beaches in Ceredigion
1. Tenby South Beach
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: South Beach Pay and Display Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: Yes (24th May – 7th September, 10am – 6pm)
Postcode: SA70 7EG
Situated just a stone’s throw away from the heart of this bustling coastal town, Tenby South Beach is often touted as being one of the best surfing beaches in Wales (and one of the best beaches in Tenby), drawing in wave-riders from all over the region.
This beautiful and sandy beach can offer decent waves when conditions align. The surf here is generally straightforward, with waves breaking over a sand bottom for up to 50 metres. However, the beach requires a substantial swell to produce rideable waves, making it more suitable during winter months when swells are more consistent.
The optimal surf conditions at Tenby South Beach occur when a southwest swell combines with offshore winds from the northwest. Winter, particularly January, tends to provide the most consistent clean waves, with surfable conditions occurring around 16% of the time. Nevertheless, the beach is often considered too small for good surf, making it more suitable for beginners during this time of year.
However, despite its reputation for having an inconsistent surf, Tenby South Beach is less crowded than other spots, offering a more relaxed environment when conditions are favourable. Surfers should also be aware of potential rip currents and rocks, especially towards the right-hand side of the bay.
2. Freshwater East Beach
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Freshwater East Public Parking
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: No
Postcode: SA71 5LY
Freshwater East Beach is a relatively exposed beach and reef break that offers surfable waves, under the right conditions. It accommodates both left and right-handers, with a right-hand reef break also present. The surf here is best around high tide when the tide is rising; however, it only works occasionally, requiring a mix of groundswells and windswells, ideally from the southwest.
The best time for surfing at Freshwater East is during the winter months, particularly December, when clean surfable waves are more consistent. The best conditions occur when a southwest swell combines with offshore winds from the west-northwest. Surfers should be cautious of potential hazards such as rips, rocks and crowds of visitors when the surf is up.
When planning a session here, we’d highly recommend checking the latest surf forecasts to ensure favourable conditions. Given its occasional surf, the beach can become crowded when conditions are favourable, so be prepared to come across fellow waveriders here!
3. Marloes Sands
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Marloes Sands National Trust Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display (Free for National Trust members)
Lifeguard: No
Postcode: SA62 3BH
A picturesque and relatively secluded beach break that can offer rewarding surf sessions under favourable conditions, Marloes Sands is often regarded as one of the best surfing beaches in Wales.
Featuring both left and right-hand waves, this beach is best surfed during low tide. The best conditions, however, come about when a west-southwest swell coincides with offshore winds from the northeast. It’s also worth knowing that during the summer months, the surf often becomes flat, making winter the prime season for consistent waves.
Surfers should exercise caution due to potential hazards such as submerged rocks and strong rip currents, particularly towards the right-hand side of the bay. The beach’s isolation and the long walk required to reach it makes it much less busy than many other surfing beaches in Pembrokeshire, giving you the chance to have a more relaxed surfing experience.
4. Newgale Beach
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Newgale Beach North Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: Yes (12th June – 7th September, 10am – 6pm)
Postcode: SA62 6BD
Newgale Beach is a renowned surf spot, offering consistent waves suitable for various skill levels. This expansive, west-facing beach break benefits from its exposure to Atlantic swells, making it one of the most reliable surfing hotspots in the region.
The beach breaks at Newgale provide both left and right-hand waves, with the best conditions typically occurring around mid-tide. While the beach is surfable year-round, the most consistent clean waves are often found during the spring months, particularly in March.
Surfers should be aware of potential hazards such as strong rip currents and shifting sandbanks, especially during large swells. Additionally, during high tide, waves can break directly onto the pebble bank, making entry and exit challenging. Local surf schools, like The Big Blue Experience, offer lessons for beginners, providing a safe introduction to the sport.
Newgale’s vibrant surfing community and the availability of amenities, including nearby campsites and cafés, make it a welcoming destination for surfers looking for both quality waves and a like-minded environment.
5. Pendine Sands
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Pendine Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: Yes (12th July – 7th September, 10am – 6pm)
Postcode: SA33 4NY
Famous for its historical land speed records, Pendine Sands might not be traditionally renowned for surfing, but what it does offer is unique conditions that can appeal to certain surfers.
When it comes to the surfing conditions, it’s notorious for its wind swells caused by prevailing westerly winds, leading to choppy and variable surf conditions. These conditions can be challenging for beginners but may provide a stimulating experience for intermediate and advanced surfers looking for a location with diverse wave patterns. The expansive sandbar occasionally produces point break conditions too, offering surfers opportunities for longer rides.
Whilst this beach is often much less busy than many others in the region due to its isolated location, it’s essential to note that parts of the beach may be restricted during weekdays due to Ministry of Defence activities, which you can find out more information about here.
6. Langland Bay
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Langland Bay Beach Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: Yes (3rd May – 14th September, 10am – 6pm)
Postcode: SA3 4QZ
Situated on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, Langland Bay is a popular surf spot known for its variety of waves suitable for lots of different skill levels. Here, conditions offer both beach and reef breaks, with waves breaking both left and right over a sandy bottom interspersed with rocks.
The surf at Langland Bay works at all tide levels, though high tide can lead to dumping unless conditions are optimal. The bay tends to receive a mix of groundswells and windswells too, with the ideal swell direction coming from the southwest. Offshore winds from the north also provide fantastic conditions for clean waves.
However, despite the great conditions, surfers should be cautious of rocks, especially during low tide, and aware of the fact that the beach can become crowded during favourable conditions.
Best Surfing Beaches in Ceredigion
7. Tresaith Beach
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Tresaith Youth Centre Car Park
Parking Charge: Free
Lifeguard: Yes (19th July – 7th September, 10am – 6pm)
Postcode: SA43 2JL
Tresaith Beach is a fantastic northwest-facing beach stretching over 250 metres wide, and a place that’s long been known as a popular spot for various water sports such as surfing, sailing and windsurfing. Facilities in the village include a shop, café and the popular Ship Inn pub, all within close proximity to the beach.
The beach features a waterfall where the River Saith cascades over the cliffs directly onto the shore, adding to its unique charm. For surfers, Tresaith offers a reliable break, with conditions influenced by wind and swell direction. It’s advisable to check local surf forecasts and tide times before planning your visit.
8. Aberporth Beach (Dyffryn & Dolwen)
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Aberporth Beach Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: 19th July – 7th September (10am – 6pm)
Postcode: SA43 2DD
Aberporth is a sheltered bay comprising two sandy beaches; one being Dyffryn (the larger beach) and the other being Dolwen (the smaller beach).
The bay’s north-facing position and surrounding hills make it particularly favourable for surfers, as the headlands help to shelter the area from strong winds. Local businesses also offer equipment rentals for activities such as paddleboarding and kayaking too, if you’re up for trying something a bit different.
Facilities at the beach also include lifeguard services during the summer months, a must-have for many surfing beaches in Wales. The village itself also has plenty to offer including plenty of shops, cafés and pubs to enjoy after a day’s surf!
9. Poppit Sands Beach
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Poppit Sands Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: Yes (21st July – 7th September, 10am – 6pm)
Postcode: SA43 3LN
Poppit Sands, located at the mouth of the River Teifi, is a popular destination for surfers of all skill levels.
The beach’s northward-facing position shelters it from prevailing southwesterly winds, creating favourable conditions for surfing, windsurfing and kayaking alike.
Surf conditions at Poppit Sands are influenced by swell direction, wind speeds and ever-changing tides, with strong swells from the southwest typically offering the most powerful and consistent waves.
It’s also important to note that the river estuary to the east can introduce strong currents and rip tides, so surfers should exercise caution and remain vigilant when around this part of the beach.
10. Aberystwyth North Beach
Type of Beach: Sand and shingle
Parking: Spaces available along Marine Terrace
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: Yes (19th July – 7th September (10am – 6pm))
Postcode: SY23 2AZ
Aberystwyth North Beach, situated in the heart of the town, is a lively shingle and sand beach stretching around one mile in length. Flanked by a bustling promenade, it’s a place that offers lots of traditional seaside charm with attractions such as donkey rides, a bandstand and a wonderfully historic Victorian pier.
While the beach is more renowned for leisure activities, it does offer surfable waves under the right conditions. The best surf occurs during winter months, particularly in January, when southwest swells combine with east-southeast winds. However, clean, rideable waves are relatively rare, occurring about 5% of the time in January.
If you’re heading to this part of Wales for your next holiday, then we’d highly recommend checking out this list of awesome Pembrokeshire events taking place this year. For those of you looking for even more fantastic places to enjoy the sunshine, be sure to have a look at this guide covering the best beaches in Wales too!
Image Credit: Faypearse – (CC BY-SA 4.0)
