La Mare (St Clement)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
La Mare (St Clement) is a regional-classic surfing beach break on Jersey’s south coast, known for its punchy A-frame peak and hollow, fast waves. The spot can produce both left- and right-hand waves, with power described as hollow, fast, and powerful on the right day. Conditions are strongly tide-influenced in a place with large tidal range, so timing matters. Multiple references emphasize that huge tides and shifting water levels can change what’s surfable, including the exposure of rocks and reef sections—therefore local knowledge is highlighted as a key factor for safety and quality. Quality is often associated with low-tide windows, while other guidance also notes high-tide setups can be relevant depending on the day. Wave performance is typically described in the 1–3m working range, and the break is said to hold size up to around 3m+ (about 10ft+) when conditions build. Typical rides are noted as around 50 to 150 meters, with fast peeling action and hollow sections. The break is characterized as exposed, and wind direction can swing conditions from onshore to more favorable when north/northeast winds are offshore. For safety, hazards repeatedly called out include rocks/reef and rip currents/strong tidal sweep, along with moderate localism. The spot is recommended for experienced surfers (advanced/expert level), and there’s no lifeguard presence reported. In an emergency, dial 999 or 112, and plan around tide-driven hazards—especially around the mid-tide mark where rocks may sit just below the surface.
- Punchy A-frame peak
- Hollow, fast, powerful beach-break waves
- Lefts and rights are both possible
- Can hold up to ~3m+
- Instant beach access from the St Clement area
- Punchy A-frame peak and fast, hollow waves
- Beach-break with both left and right-hand waves
- Can hold significant swell up to around 3m+
- Strong tidal area that can create high-quality options with correct timing
- Facilities and access are available close to the beach
- Experienced/advanced surfing level required
- Rocks and reefs can be exposed or just below the surface depending on tide
- Rip currents/strong tidal currents are a concern
- Localism can be moderate
- Line-up can be competitive/busy at times
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE
- Wind Range
- 8–13 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze influence noted; winds also shaped by Atlantic systems in the region.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- April
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug · Dir: S, SW, SSW, SE · Regionally, on sunny days sea-breeze development is typically most reliable in the afternoon during late spring and summer.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with rock/reef hazards.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Spot references describe small to medium performance; working swell often 1–3m.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Overall water/chop described; surfing references still emphasize hollow/fast peaks on the right day.
- Launch
- Small — Instant shore access; access also described via sand and rock slipway entry.
Through the year
Usually few surfers on weekdays; can get busier with locals on weekends when conditions are good.
Winter months are the stormiest (late autumn into winter has the highest frequency of Atlantic storms).
By sport
What to expect for each.
A regional-classic beach break known for punchy A-frame peaks and hollow, fast sections. It can offer both left and right-hand waves.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is highlighted as the best time for hollow/quality sections; another reference also notes high tide can be optimal in particular.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Onshore with east winds; for north/north-easterly winds described as offshore, which can improve conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to around 3m+ (10ft+) and can keep running as conditions build.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Regional classic wave quality noted.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Hollow, fast, and powerful with fun performance described in spot references.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal session lengths typically run about 50 to 150m rides.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typically between 50 and 150 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for La Mare (St Clement) in the full forecast view.
La Mare (St Clement) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–29 ktsGusts 46 kts
- Direction
- SW234°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2429 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.8 m5s period
- Temperature
- 12–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, La Mare (St Clement) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–29 kts, peaking around 29 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 46 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.3–1.8 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- Localism
- Rocks
- Reef
- Rip currents
- Strong tidal sweep
- Submerged rocks
- Reef sections
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited in the wider region; no dedicated local base is noted for St Clement specifically.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, dial 999 or 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
- Huge tides make local knowledge key and can make a big difference in the surf.
- Best around low tide (noted as a key timing factor for quality).
- Watch out for rocks at the mid-tide mark as they can be just below the surface.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- St Helier
- Nearest Town
- St Clement
- Nearest Airport
- Jersey Airport (JYR/JER)
- Parking
- Parking available at the beach / public parking along the coast road.
- Public Transport
- LibertyBus network with stops near the St Clement coast; bus connections to St Helier.
- Access
- Instant access (< 5min) from the city; main peak is an A-Frame in front of the La Mare lighthouse, with punchy peaks extending down to Brocken's house. Access also described as coastal road with slipway entry.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation in St Clement and St Helier is available.
- Food & Drink
- Beach cafes reported.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental available via sport school references.
- Gear Repair
- Minor sail and kite repair services are described for the St Helier area (region-level).
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 La Mare (St Clement)?
The best overall months at La Mare (St Clement) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are April.
Which wind directions work at La Mare (St Clement)?
La Mare (St Clement) works with E winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE.
What skill level is La Mare (St Clement) suitable for?
La Mare (St Clement) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.