South Wales surf forecast

Surfing in South Wales

South Wales surf on PeakWave covers the Gower peninsula and Porthcawl, about an hour apart by road through Swansea. The coast faces south and west into the Bristol Channel, so it relies on Atlantic swell from the west and south-west, and it has a very large tidal range, which can change the waves dramatically over a few hours.

On Gower, Llangennith faces west at the far end of the peninsula, picks up swell before anywhere else and usually has the biggest waves; it is a long sandy beach break that suits a range of abilities on smaller days and is offshore in north to north-easterly winds. Caswell Bay and Langland Bay, near Mumbles, face south to south-west and need a much bigger swell to wrap in, but they are sheltered from the prevailing south-westerly winds and are offshore in northerly winds. As a rough guide, Llangennith needs to be around 4 to 5 feet before Langland and Caswell get a 2 to 3 foot wave. Caswell is a gentle beach often used for learning, usually best around mid tide. Langland has bay peaks for intermediates and shallow reef sections that are for experienced surfers only, and it depends closely on the stage of the tide.

Rest Bay at Porthcawl is one of the most consistent surf beaches in South Wales and is best in easterly winds. Because swell has to push over sandbars as the tide fills, waves can build quickly, and at higher tides a rip runs near the rocks by the slipway, so local advice is to leave the water well before high tide. Winter brings the most consistent surf; summer is often small. Llandegfedd Reservoir, a sailing venue near Pontypool, sits in the same area but plays no part in the surf picture.