Autumn Surf Season
The swell arrives in September, the sea is at its warmest and the beaches are empty. Autumn is the surfer's season here.
- When
- September to November, and again through the winter
- Kind
- Sport
- Where
- Freshwater West
- Cost
- Free
Summer in Pembrokeshire is often flat. The Atlantic wakes up in September, and from then until spring the west-facing beaches get proper groundswell. The sea is warmer in October than in June, the car parks are empty, and the lineups have space in them.
Freshwater West is the county's serious wave — the most consistent beach break in Wales, taking swell from every direction, with heavy rips and no lifeguard cover outside the summer season. It is an experienced surfer's beach and it drowns people who misjudge it.
Newgale is the big, forgiving one: two miles of beach, plenty of peaks, and a surf school presence. Whitesands picks up north-westerly swell, works best at mid tide and gets busy even in autumn. Manorbier and Broad Haven are the alternatives when the main breaks are too big.
The honest bit. Rips are the danger here, not the waves. At Freshwater West and Newgale the water moving back out to sea is strong enough that you will not swim against it. If you are caught, do not fight it — go with it, then across. Lifeguard cover largely ends in September, so from October you are on your own.
Kit. A 4/3 wetsuit through autumn, boots from November, gloves and a hood by January. See the surfing page for schools, hire and which beach suits which swell.
Every year
Autumn brings the first consistent Atlantic groundswell of the year to Pembrokeshire's west-facing beaches, with water still relatively warm and beaches empty.
Before you plan around this
Dates change every year — check with the organiser before you travel
We don't sell tickets and take no commission on any of these — links go straight to whoever runs it.
Staying nearby
Freshwater West is the obvious base.