9 Best Surf Spots in Pembrokeshire (2025)

Freshwater West

Pembrokeshire's most powerful beach break. When it's on, it's world-class.

Freshwater West is a beast. A mile-long south-facing beach that hoovers up every scrap of Atlantic swell and turns it into powerful, hollow waves. The sandbars shift constantly, creating new peaks daily. When a clean groundswell meets offshore northerlies, the waves here are genuinely excellent. It's also the wildest feeling beach in Pembrokeshire — windswept dunes, no buildings, no ice cream vans. You will be served from Harry Potter and Robin Hood were filmed here.

Whitesands Bay (Porth Mawr)

The most reliable wave in Pembrokeshire, with a side of stunning St Davids coastline.

Whitesands is Pembrokeshire's most popular surf beach for good reason. It picks up swell from multiple directions, has decent-shaped sandbars, and the setting is spectacular — backed by Carn Llidi headland and close to St Davids. The wave quality is consistently good without being intimidating, making it the best all-rounder in the region. Lifeguarded in summer. The only downside is its popularity — in August it's packed.

Newgale (Niwgwl)

Two miles of open beach break with something for everyone — the workhorse of Pembrokeshire surfing.

Newgale's sheer length means there's always a peak to yourself, even on busy days. The two-mile beach faces west and picks up anything going, from ankle-high summer ripples to overhead winter swells. Multiple sandbars create different waves along the beach — the south end tends to be bigger, the north end more sheltered. The pebble storm bank at the back of the beach is distinctive and the surf conditions are consistent if unspectacular.

Manorbier

A sheltered bay that holds waves when everywhere else is blown out. Pembrokeshire's bad-weather backup.

Manorbier faces south, which means it's sheltered from the prevailing westerlies that destroy other Pembrokeshire spots. When everywhere else is onshore and messy, Manorbier often has clean, fun waves. The medieval castle overlooking the bay is a spectacular backdrop. The wave is less powerful than Freshwater West but much more forgiving, making it a great intermediate spot.

Broad Haven

The family-friendly option — gentle waves, full facilities, and a proper village behind.

If you're learning to surf or bringing the family, Broad Haven is your spot. The waves are rarely big, the beach is sandy and sheltered, and the village behind has cafés, pubs, and a surf shop. Lifeguarded in summer. It won't set an experienced surfer's pulse racing, but for reliability and accessibility it's hard to beat. The Druidstone Hotel just up the coast is one of the best post-surf pubs in Wales.

Marloes Sands

The hidden gem — a stunning beach with waves that nobody surfs because nobody knows it works.

Marloes Sands is primarily known as one of Pembrokeshire's most beautiful beaches, not a surf spot. But on west/southwest swells, the southern end produces surprisingly good peaks. The 20-minute walk from the car park keeps the crowds away, and the backdrop of folded rock formations is extraordinary. You'll likely have the waves to yourself. Not a destination surf spot, but an incredible bonus when it works.

Abereiddy

Not just the Blue Lagoon — the beach here picks up sneaky waves when you least expect it.

Most people visit Abereiddy for the Blue Lagoon, but the beach itself is a quirky surf spot. The dark volcanic sand (almost black) creates an otherworldly setting, and on north/northwest swells it picks up fun waves that the St Davids beaches miss. It's a short, punchy beach break with rocks at either end — not for beginners, but rewarding for those who know it. The eerie industrial ruins add atmosphere.

Freshwater East

A mellow, family-friendly beach that catches sneaky south swells when others are flat.

Freshwater East faces south-southeast, which means it picks up different swells to the main west-facing beaches. When Newgale and Whitesands are flat, Freshwater East sometimes has rideable waves from south swells. The beach is sandy, gently shelving, and sheltered from westerly winds. Not a core surf spot, but a useful addition to the Pembrokeshire surf map, especially for families.

Westdale Bay

A secret south-facing cove that catches swell when you wouldn't expect it. Pure insider knowledge.

Westdale Bay is a tiny, sheltered cove near Dale that almost nobody thinks of as a surf spot. But on big south/southwest swells, it produces clean, head-high waves in a stunning setting. The walk in keeps crowds away (there are none), and the Dale peninsula location means you're surfing in one of the most beautiful corners of Pembrokeshire. A genuine secret spot for those willing to explore.