5 Best Surfing Beaches In Pembrokeshire
With Cornwall and Devon often drawing the most attention, West Wales sometimes flies under the radar as a surfing destination. However, serious surfers often tip Pembrokeshire as one of the best places to surf in the UK, whether you’re an enthusiast or a beginner.
Pembrokeshire has over 50 beaches, spread out over the three jagged peninsulas that make up the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Many face west, putting them in prime position to catch the Atlantic Ocean’s south-west swell channels. If you like wild beaches, you’re in luck: many of Pembrokeshire’s are unspoilt and pristine. These include Blue Flag beaches like Whitesands and Manorbier, plus more rugged options like pro surfers’ favourite Freshwater West. If you’re only just getting started, no worries – there are plenty of places that offer surf lessons in Pembrokeshire.
To help you find the best of the area’s waves, we’ve put together this list of Pembrokeshire’s top surf beaches, with something for everyone from novices to experienced surfers.
Before you grab your board and head west, you may well need to book somewhere to stay – and Pitchup has plenty of excellent Pembrokeshire campsites to choose from, including some right by the very beaches you’ll be swimming out from. Click the link below to check out what’s available.
See all campsites in Pembrokeshire
Whitesands Bay
Pretty Whitesands Bay, near St Davids, is a good all-round watersports location. Sometimes known as Porthmawr (Welsh for ‘Big Harbour’), it’s a long stretch of white sand that’s popular with swimmers, kayakers and kitesurfers as well as surfers. At the north end of the beach is a ruined 6th-century chapel, and out to sea are the ‘Bishops and Clerks’ – a collection of rocky islands and jagged reefs that have claimed many shipwreck victims over the centuries.
Whitesands is one of Pembrokeshire’s most popular surfing spots, so it can be busy at times. It’s an exposed beach break with fairly consistent waves all year round, plus plenty of small waves for beginners to practise safely on.
Access to the water is easy from the car park, which sits right next to the beach and has a café and public toilets.
Freshwater West Beach
Freshwater West, often known locally as ‘Fresh West’, is a great beach for experienced surfers. Dunes roll into the secluded sandy beach, which also has some of the biggest and most consistent waves in Wales. Expect lots of tubes to ride through, on waves taller than eight feet.
All this means that it’s a popular spot for surfing tournaments, including the Welsh Nationals, which are often held here. While you’ll generally see a fair few surfers here on most days, the beach is long enough that it never feels too crowded (especially if you’re happy to walk away from the busiest areas). There's also usually plenty of space in the car park right by the beach (with toilet facilities provided), or in an overflow area in a neighbouring field.
Freshwater West is mostly a beach break, with some reef breaks towards the south of the beach. It’s not off limits to beginners, but inexperienced surfers would do best to take surf lessons at Freshwater West rather than just jumping in.
Newgale Beach
Three large car parks along its long sandy length make Newgale one of the most accessible beaches in Pembrokeshire. Waves here also aren’t that powerful (the Marloes peninsula helps to shelter the beach), making this a good choice for beginner and intermediate surfers. There’s a surf school where you can get lessons or simply hire equipment, and in summer there are lifeguards on duty. It’s best surfed at the midpoint between low and high tides.
As well as the car parks, facilities at Newgale include toilets, a café, a pub and a beachside campsite.
Manorbier Beach
Marnorbier is a golden sandy bay, just below a medieval castle and church. The accompanying cliffs and dunes – plus dramatic landscapes all around – mean that it’s a popular spot with walkers. This is helped by the fact that it’s on a rather scenic section of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path running from Manorbier to Tenby.
In terms of surfing, Manorbier is a south-west facing beach with a fairly exposed point break. Cliffs at either side shelter the waves at mid-high tide, and the surf is best just before high tide (unless you want to risk falling over, as the shore break dumps powerfully into the beach’s pebble bank). Avoid the reef area unless you’re an experienced surfer.
There's a decent-sized car park at Manorbier, with toilets. The village has a pub and café for refreshments.
Marloes Sands
At the western tip of Pembrokeshire, Marloes Sands faces directly south-west into the Atlantic, which means it catches some of the best swells around. This means Marloes is a great surf beach – but as it’s a little bit remote, you probably won’t be jostling for space. It’s best for experienced and intermediate surfers, as there can be strong rip currents.
The nearest car park is about half a mile from the beach, so be aware that you'll need to carry your kit a little way to hit the waves. There are toilets in the car park, along with a lovely café where you can warm up with a drink and a piece of cake.
Whether you’re planning to focus your Pembrokeshire break solely on surfing or mix it up with other activities, camping and glamping make excellent options for accommodation while you’re here. With prices starting from just £10 per night, there are some great options for budget trips, along with more luxurious glamping sites for those who’d like to splash out. Either way, staying outdoors is a wonderful way to soak up that gorgeous Pembrokeshire scenery at all hours. Take a look at Pitchup’s full range of campsites and glampsites to find the one that suits your style.