Abermawr (Mathry)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Abermawr (Mathry) is a secluded, reasonably exposed beach break in Pembrokeshire where surf is described as inconsistent but can still come together when wind, tide, and swell align. Southeast winds are repeatedly highlighted as the direction that gives the best offshore effect, helping groom the wave faces. Conditions are generally best at low tide, when more sand is revealed and the steep pebble bank is less of an issue. Surf quality and ride length are both described as limited: waves are short, and the break can feel punchy. One description characterizes the wave quality as poor, while another places it at an average level when conditions line up. Both accounts agree that surf is not dependable and that the spot is more about finding the right window than expecting consistent high-quality surf every session. Safety is a primary concern. The spot has rocks in the line-up and rip currents can occur, with guidance stressing that it’s only suitable for experienced surfers. There is no lifeguard cover, the location is remote, and local tips emphasize checking tide times (the beach can be fully concealed at high tide) and being careful with footing on the steep, muddy walk from parking through the woods. Gear and preparation matter here: several recommendations point to wearing a wetsuit year-round (with winter-focused thickness including a hood, boots, and gloves). Visitors should expect limited facilities on-site (and no on-beach lifeguard support), so arriving early with everything you need—then timing your session around low tide and obstacle checks—is strongly advised.
- Best at low tide with sand revealed as the tide recedes
- Southeast winds can act offshore and groom wave faces
- Secluded, remote setting
- Rocky hazards require careful navigation
- Offshore-leaning southeast winds can groom wave faces
- Low tide reveals sand and improves usability of the beach
- Quiet/low-key and remote feeling
- Inconsistent surf
- Rocks and obstacles in and around the break line-up
- Rip currents reported; spot is remote with no lifeguard cover
- Short, punchy waves that may not suit less-experienced riders
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE
- Offshore directions
- SE
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Providers describe the wind as mixed/frontal, with southeast winds being the key direction for the spot.
- Reliability
- 42% blown
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady conditions reported; another provider describes moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- February
- Shadow Zones
- The bay is somewhat sheltered by high cliffs on either side, which can cause turbulence or shadows in cross-shore directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Pebble — Pebble/shingle beach with sand exposed at low tide; another provider describes mixed pebble/shingle with sand reveal.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Small waves are typical.
- Launch
- Small — A small natural bay; stony at first, with sand revealed at low tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate difficulty due to terrain and the steep pebble bank at higher tides.
Through the year
Generally quiet year-round; more visitors during summer weekends.
October to March sees the most frequent storm activity and heavy rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed beach break with inconsistent surf. Waves can be punchy and short at low tide, breaking over sand exposed as the water recedes.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WSW
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is repeatedly identified as best.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed to prevailing conditions; cliffs on both sides can create some shelter/turbulence depending on wind angle.
- Wind Effect
- Southeast winds provide offshore conditions that can groom the wave faces (SE described as offshore/offshore-best). Some shelter from SSE is noted.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy and dump heavily on the pebble bank during very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Poor — Quality described as poor/inconsistent by one provider; another provider describes it as average when conditions align.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Short ride lengths typical of small beach breaks.
- Ride Length Details
- Short and punchy; short rides typical of small beach breaks.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Abermawr (Mathry) in the full forecast view.
Abermawr (Mathry) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 8–31 ktsGusts 50 kts
- Direction
- SW226°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2531 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–4.0 m8s period
- Temperature
- 11–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Abermawr (Mathry) is forecast for daytime winds of 8–31 kts, peaking around 31 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 50 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.7–4.0 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks in the line-up
- Rip currents
- Steep pebble bank
- Submerged rocks/obstacles (including rocks at the ends of the bay)
- Submerged prehistoric forest stumps at very low tides
- Remote location with limited mobile signal
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard cover.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level sources indicate no rescue availability for the immediate beach; regional coast coverage is managed along the coast.
- Emergency Info
- For emergencies call 999 or 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism friction indicated.
Rules of the spot
Only for experienced surfers; check tide times (the beach can be fully concealed at high tide) and watch footing on the steep, muddy footpath. No lifeguard cover.
- No lifeguard cover at any time.
- Take care of rocks in the line up.
- Best surfed at low tide to avoid the steep pebble bank and to access the wider exposed sand.
- Check for submerged stumps/obstacles at very low tides (northern end).
- Parking involves a walk through woods; the path can be muddy—watch footing.
- Check tide times because the beach can be fully concealed at high tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- St Davids
- Nearest Town
- Mathry/Fishguard
- Parking
- Limited parking available at a National Trust car park a short walk from the beach (or limited roadside parking further out).
- Access
- Access via a narrow country lane followed by a short walk through a wooded valley from the designated parking area; footpath can be steep and muddy.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Welsh
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday cottages and stays in Mathry, Fishguard, and Haverfordwest; also nearby holiday cottages and campsites in the surrounding area.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on-site; nearest pubs and shops are in the village of Mathry.
- Equipment Rental:
- Regionally available via specialized shops in nearby areas; spot-level sources do not state on-beach rentals.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A 186-mile National Trail offering cliff-top views and access to secluded coves.
Historic cathedral of the UK’s smallest city, dating back to the 12th century.
The Pembrokeshire coast is the birthplace of coasteering, involving cliff jumping and cave exploration.
A traditional hilltop pub in Mathry offering local food and real ales.
Marine research and education center with interactive exhibits for children.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Abermawr (Mathry)?
The best overall months at Abermawr (Mathry) are February.
Which wind directions work at Abermawr (Mathry)?
Abermawr (Mathry) works with SE winds. Offshore directions are SE.
What skill level is Abermawr (Mathry) suitable for?
Abermawr (Mathry) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.