Crabart
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop
- Spot Type
- Expert only
- Launch Difficulty
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Crabart is a fairly exposed reef break on the Gower Peninsula near Rhossili, known for having inconsistent surf. It’s best worked at low tide, and the north wind is described as the best wind direction for cleaner faces. Over the shallow rocky reef, conditions can change quickly based on swell and tide timing, so it’s important to check conditions before committing to a session. The spot’s main hazards are the rocks and shallow reef, with reports emphasizing that bigger swell can become dangerous as it breaks over the shallow bottom. Provider notes also highlight that stronger tidal currents are common along the Gower coast, and that access involves a steep walk down from the cliffs followed by scrambling or walking across rocks depending on tide. For safety and comfort, cold-water conditions are expected throughout the year. A spring wetsuit with a neoprene hood, gloves, and boots is specifically recommended for this spot, and the regional pattern of strong Atlantic-driven winds plus a very high tidal range means you should plan your window carefully around tide timing and changing sea state. When conditions align, Crabart can provide a technical alternative for surfers looking for a less predictable but more challenging ride. Expect average wave quality overall, with right-hand reef behavior described in provider guidance, and be prepared for a strenuous return climb after time in the water.
- Exposed reef break on Rhossili Bay with inconsistent surf
- Best at low tide
- North winds provide cleaner faces
- Technical, shallow-rock environment with increased risk
- Exposed reef location with a technical challenge when conditions line up.
- North wind is described as best for clean faces.
- Works at low tide when the reef is accessible.
- Quieter than other nearby options due to difficult access and wave fickleness.
- Inconsistent and fickle reef break.
- Shallow rocky bottom and exposed setting increase risk.
- Difficult access and strenuous walk back up after longer sessions.
- Requires matching swell/tide combinations.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider wind-type guidance is inconsistent across sources; spot-level guidance most directly links good surfing to north wind, and regional winds are commonly Atlantic frontal/gradient.
- Reliability
- low
- Best Months
- January
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs at the southern end provide some shelter from southerly winds.
- Thermal Window
- Other · Afternoon · Months: Jul, Aug · Dir: N · Occasional summer sea-breeze reinforcement may occur on warm, stable summer days, but winds are primarily Atlantic-driven fronts.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach composition nearby, with the surfing area being shallow reef/rocks.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Surf described as inconsistent; another provider notes medium-sized waves.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Provider physical data describes chop.
- Launch
- Small — Steep cliff access plus scrambling/walking across rocks depending on tide.
Through the year
Generally quiet due to difficult access and the wave’s fickle nature.
November to February (peak Atlantic storm activity).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Fairly exposed and inconsistent reef break over shallow rocky bottom; works best on specific tide/swell combinations and is best at low tide.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Multiple sources indicate low tide is optimal for the reef to work.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Reef break on an exposed Atlantic-facing coastline; cliffs can provide some shelter from southerly winds.
- Wind Effect
- North winds provide clean faces (north wind best).
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells than the adjacent beach break but becomes dangerous as it breaks over the shallow reef.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Inconsistent surf; still can offer a technical alternative when conditions line up.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Working reefs with sufficient swell; can be fickle and inconsistent.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Described as a right-hand reef break in provider guidance.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Crabart in the full forecast view.
Crabart wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–33 ktsGusts 51 kts
- Direction
- SW234°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2433 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–5.0 m8s period
- Temperature
- 11–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Crabart is forecast for daytime winds of 7–33 kts, peaking around 33 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 51 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 1.1–5.0 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
- Shallow reef
- Sharp rocks
- Strong tidal currents
- Remote location with difficult access
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No dedicated lifeguard service indicated for this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — RNLI lifeboat stations operate nearby; HM Coastguard support is available, but no dedicated on-site coastguard base for Rhossili.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services can be reached via 999 or 112. Nearest major hospital with A&E: Morriston Hospital in Swansea. Rescue availability at/for the spot is limited (RNLI nearby; no dedicated coastguard base on-site for Rhossili).
Rules of the spot
Check conditions before going; this is an inconsistent reef break.
- Check conditions before going (surf is inconsistent).
- Wait for the bottom of the tide for the reef to start working.
- The walk back up the cliff is strenuous after a long session.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Swansea
- Nearest Town
- Rhossili
- Nearest Airport
- Cardiff Airport (CWL) (~1 hour 15 minutes drive).
- Parking
- Paid parking available at the National Trust car park in Rhossili village; £3 during tourist season (parking at both ends of the bay).
- Public Transport
- Local bus services connect Swansea to Rhossili and Llangennith; a car is highly recommended for transporting sports equipment.
- Access
- Access by car via narrow country lanes; park at Rhossili village/National Trust car park and follow the path down the cliffs toward the beach, then head south towards the rocks.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Campsites and small B&Bs in Rhossili and Llangennith.
- Food & Drink
- Pubs and cafes available in Rhossili village at the top of the cliff.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental is available via local surf shops and schools around Rhossili/Llangennith (spot-level listing not tied to a specific shop).
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 Crabart?
The best overall months at Crabart are May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January.
Which wind directions work at Crabart?
Crabart works with N winds. Offshore directions are N.
What skill level is Crabart suitable for?
Crabart suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.