Black Rock
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Black Rock is a fairly exposed point break in the Vale of Glamorgan area, producing reasonably consistent surf that can work throughout the year. Surfing is typically best at mid tide, and the spot is especially noted for winter conditions, with February highlighted as the top month. Wave quality is described as good, with the wave often breaking as a right-hander on its day. When the swell wraps correctly around the point, rides can become quite long; one dataset also describes peeling waves and a medium ride-length experience that can extend into longer runs. Safety is the main constraint. Multiple datasets emphasize rip currents and strong currents, alongside rocky hazards such as submerged rocks, sharp reef, and debris near the river mouth. Because of these hazards, surfing is described as dangerous if you’re not prepared, and conditions can become heavy and dangerous on larger swells. For wind, offshore North or East winds are described as producing the cleanest surf. Conditions in February are also characterized by a high chance of blown-out/worsening wind, so while February is the best month, it can still be challenging to find clean, rideable windows.
- Mid-tide best window for surfing
- Winter/February favored for consistent conditions
- Exposed point break with peeling waves
- High-risk hazards from rips and rocky bottom
- Fairly exposed point break with reasonably consistent surf that can work at any time of the year.
- Mid-tide and winter conditions (especially February) are highlighted as best for surfing.
- Can produce longer rides when the swell wraps correctly around the point.
- Rip currents make surfing dangerous.
- Rocky bottom with sharp reef/submerged boulders increases risk, especially at unsuitable tide.
- Wind and tide sensitivity can reduce clean conditions.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, E
- Offshore directions
- N, E
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind type described as frontal in the spot data; otherwise generally driven by Atlantic systems in the wider coast.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Spot data indicates moderate gusts; additionally, February shows a high blown-out probability.
- Best Months
- February
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocks and rocky point.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — One dataset describes medium wave size.
- Launch
- Small — Limited rocky entry points; difficult entry/exit.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Difficult launch with limited rocky entry points.
Through the year
Can get busy on weekends when conditions are optimal.
Winter months see frequent Atlantic depressions and storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Only suitable for expert riders due to the rocky point and difficult entry/exit; requires high tide for enough depth over the rocks.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 2.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Fairly exposed point break that has reasonably consistent surf and can work at any time of the year; often a right-hand wave on its day and sensitive to tide and wind direction.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best tide is mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point with limited protection from wind/swell.
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest with offshore North or East winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but becomes heavy and dangerous due to rocks.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good; exposed conditions and sensitivity to wind/tide noted.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Rated as moderate in one dataset; overall surf characterized as fairly exposed with reasonably consistent surf.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Spot data describes peeling waves.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Wave shape described as peeling with medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can be long when the swell wraps correctly around the point.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer long rides when the swell wraps correctly around the point.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Black Rock in the full forecast view.
Black Rock wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–31 ktsGusts 52 kts
- Direction
- WSW238°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2431 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–3.6 m8s period
- Temperature
- 11–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Black Rock is forecast for daytime winds of 4–31 kts, peaking around 31 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 52 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.8–3.6 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
- rip currents
- submerged rocks
- sharp reef
- strong currents
- rags and debris near river mouth
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards listed at the spot; regional area has RNLI rescue coverage.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional baseline indicates limited rescue availability, with RNLI coverage in the area.
- Emergency Info
- Call 999 and ask for Coastguard.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism described as none by one dataset and mild by another; treat as at least mildly local for lineup etiquette.
Rules of the spot
Be aware of rip currents and strong currents; respect local surfers and wait your turn in the lineup.
- Be wary of rips—they make surfing here dangerous.
- Avoid the high tide as waves can dump directly onto the rocks.
- The point works best at mid-tide on a pushing tide.
- Be aware of the currents pulling you toward the river mouth.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Newton
- Nearest Town
- Nexus
- Parking
- Pay and display parking available at Newton Beach or the Ogmore-by-Sea car park.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various guesthouses and hotels in Porthcawl.
- Food & Drink
- Cafes and pubs available in nearby Newton and Ogmore-by-Sea.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental available in the Porthcawl town center.
- Gear Storage
- Not specified for this exact spot.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops in the Porthcawl area offer minor repairs.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Black Rock?
The best overall months at Black Rock are February.
Which wind directions work at Black Rock?
Black Rock works with N, NNE, E winds. Offshore directions are N, E.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Black Rock?
Recommended equipment sizes at Black Rock: Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Black Rock suitable for?
Black Rock suits these riding levels: Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Intermediate.