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Each location is refreshed once every three hours. The hourly view, 7-day forecast, luck factor and packing notes come from the same stored update.
We compare the 7-day forecast with the version-matched historical observations available for the same time of year at Manorbier. The delta shows whether conditions look better, worse or about the same as a typical late July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Flat as a lake. Save your energy for another day. Short-period chop. The waves lack any real push. Onshore wind making a mess of the surface. Best conditions early morning before the sea breeze arrives. Not enough swell to get this spot firing properly.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Manorbier is a highly picturesque, semi-sheltered beach and reef break situated beneath a medieval castle on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. The bathymetry is a complex mixture of shifting sand patches interspersed with prominent Old Red Sandstone rock shelves and reefs. This specific geography slightly filters incoming wave energy, requiring a robust south-westerly groundswell pushing up the Bristol Channel to generate rideable surf. A north-easterly offshore wind provides the optimal surface conditions, grooming the frequently choppy Atlantic swell. When the swell successfully navigates the headlands, it interacts with the rock shelves to produce steep, highly structured right-hand waves peeling into the bay, alongside punchy A-frames over the sand. Because the wave provides a defined drop followed by a workable face, it is highly suitable for intermediate surfers. The presence of submerged rocks and tidal sensitivity demands careful oceanic awareness, but the waves generally lack the heavy, plunging mechanics of severe coastal slabs.
Heads up: jellyfish: high.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 70% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Significantly cleaner air than a typical city. Ideal for outdoor exercise with minimal respiratory strain.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NOโ 5, Oโ 3, PM10 2, SOโ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 15:12
Moderate water clarity: ~4m visibility
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Manorbier
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
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Create Profile โPartly. The model uses stored spot geometry, swell ranges and tide preferences where configured. It cannot see changing banks, crowds, access, closures or everything visible on a local cam, so treat it as a starting point.
The best week for surf at Manorbier is the week of 23 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
Local knowledge and community tips for Manorbier
Manorbier is a picturesque beach and reef break beneath a medieval castle on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. The bay faces south and is partially sheltered by headlands, giving it a different character to the exposed west-facing beaches nearby. Sand and reef combine to create defined peaks with more structure than a pure beach break. On its day it produces quality walls for turns with a scenic backdrop that few UK spots can match.
Needs a solid south-westerly groundswell wrapping around the headlands into the bay. A northerly offshore wind creates clean conditions. Best from October through March. Works on all tides but mid-tide generally offers the best shape. The 3-6ft range is ideal. It needs more swell to work than the west-facing beaches, so check it when spots like Freshwater West are solid or too big.
The main peak breaks in the centre of the bay over a sand and reef bottom. A right-hander runs along the reef on the western side on bigger swells. The sandy eastern section is gentler and better for less experienced surfers. The castle above provides an excellent vantage point for checking conditions before descending.
Reef sections are exposed at lower tides with potential for contact on falls. Rocks at both ends of the bay. Currents can form along the reef edges on bigger days. Overall though, this is a relatively safe spot compared to the exposed west coast. The sheltered position limits the raw power.
Car park at the top of the hill with a short walk (5 minutes) down a lane to the beach. Toilets and a small shop at the car park. The castle and gardens are worth visiting if the surf is flat.
Moderately busy on good days. The Pembrokeshire surf community is active and Manorbier is a popular spot due to its scenic setting and quality waves. Weekends can see 15-20 people in the water. Midweek is much quieter. Friendly atmosphere with less aggression than busier spots.
Manorbier works as a south coast alternative when the west-facing beaches are either too big or onshore. If there is a big swell running with westerly wind, Manorbier will often be offshore and clean while Freshwater West and Newgale are blown out. The castle provides shelter for changing out of the wind. The creek at the eastern end of the beach produces a rip that can help with the paddle out.
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Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 30 days of logged conditions.
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Manorbier tend to be best between 06:00 to 09:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 29/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
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