Llangrannog
- Shortboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Llangrannog is a small, inconsistent rivermouth/beach break in Mid Wales that typically works best on 1.0–1.5m+ swells. The wave setup is sandy with rock/reef hazards, and it can be “sometimes break,” so sessions depend heavily on the incoming swell and how it wraps into the bay. When it’s running, surfers usually get short, enjoyable rides (typically under 50m), with right and left waves possible depending on the direction of the break. Tide and swell are key: sources consistently point to low to mid tide as the most reliable window, while high tide can reduce wave shape or make waves turn fat. The break is described as exposed overall, but the bay setting provides some locality-dependent shelter. Large swell can hold up to around 3m+ before closing out, which helps explain why it may work when other more exposed breaks are blown out. Safety around rocks and currents is a priority. Hazards include rocks and reef (including submerged boulders), and rip currents are known to form near rocks around Carreg Bica—especially during larger swells. If you plan to access Cilborth Beach by walking around Carreg Bica, it’s only safe at low tide; rising water can cut you off. Seasonal lifeguards are present in summer months, but rescue availability is described as limited, so it’s important to enter conservatively. Facilities and access are straightforward for surfing: parking is available and the shore is reachable within a few minutes on foot. Gear planning is important for winter and shoulder months, with local guidance calling for a winter wetsuit plus hood, gloves, and boots.
- Beginner-friendly surfing when conditions line up
- Short rides under 50m in typical sessions
- Rock-forced wave action and sandy bottom
- Best at low to mid tide
- Seasonal lifeguards on duty in summer months
- Beginner-friendly when it breaks, with short, fun rides under typical conditions.
- Good wave quality in the working conditions.
- Low crowd levels are commonly reported outside peak season.
- Clear winter/spring wetsuit planning from local guidance.
- Inconsistent surf frequency (sometimes breaks).
- Requires a decent swell to wrap into the bay and make usable waves.
- Rock and reef hazards; rip currents can form near rocks, especially around Carreg Bica.
- Wind can be unreliable for wind sports due to shelter/wind shadows from cliffs.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SSE
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal/gradient winds influenced by Atlantic systems; bay shelter and cliffs can create wind shadows and turbulence.
- Reliability
- Low for wind sports; sheltered by cliffs with significant wind shadows.
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts — Sources describe heavy gustiness around the bay.
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs create major wind shadows and turbulence in most directions, except when winds are closer to direct onshore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Small waves overall; working on 1.0–1.5m+ swells.
- Launch
- Small — Direct sandy access from the village/front; beach access from the car park with short walk (<5 min).
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy launch/access.
Through the year
Can be very crowded with tourists in July and August; surf crowds are generally low and friendly otherwise.
Heavier Atlantic storms are frequent from October through March; rain is possible year-round.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Small, inconsistent rivermouth/beach break with sandy bottom and rock hazards. Often needs a decent swell to wrap into the bay; low to mid tide is typically best. Right and left waves are possible depending on how the swell enters the bay.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Best at low to mid tide; high tide can reduce wave quality or make waves fat.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Overall exposure described as exposed river break; bay shelter can provide partial protection depending on the conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Works with cross-shore conditions; SE winds from the bay can groom wave faces nicely (offshore not specifically confirmed).
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up to about 3m+ before closing out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good, when the spot breaks.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate power; works for beginners when swell wraps into the bay.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Described as mixed; also noted as peeling in the rivermouth/bay context.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Also described as medium in some conditions; overall feel tends to be slow-to-moderate.
- Ride Length
- Short — Typically short rides; normal length short (<50m).
- Typical Ride Length
- 50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short, fun rides under 50 meters; on better days with tide changes, connections for longer runs can occur.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Llangrannog in the full forecast view.
Llangrannog wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–30 ktsGusts 48 kts
- Direction
- SW220°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2530 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–3.2 m6s period
- Temperature
- 9–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Llangrannog is forecast for daytime winds of 6–30 kts, peaking around 30 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 48 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.3–3.2 m with a period of about 6s. 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
- Reef
- Rip currents (near rocks, especially around Carreg Bica)
- Submerged boulders
- Tidal cut-off at Cilborth Beach (walks can become unsafe when the tide comes in)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — RNLI seasonal lifeguards are on duty during summer months to monitor safety and currents.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited; Coastguard response via emergency services.
- Emergency Info
- Dial 999 or 112 for Coastguard. Nearest major hospitals with A&E are in Aberystwyth or Carmarthen.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism concerns indicated.
Rules of the spot
Respect seasonal dog ban areas on the beach. Stay clear of the RNLI lifeboat launch zone if active.
- Seasonal dog restrictions (May to September)
- Best at low to mid tide; waves can disappear or turn fat at high tide.
- Walk around Carreg Bica at low tide to reach the quieter Cilborth Beach; avoid being cut off as the tide rises.
- Spot works best when swell is about 1.0–1.5m+; rocks can help force decent rides.
- Crowds are often empty (especially weekdays/weekends), but conditions remain inconsistent.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Aberystwyth
- Nearest Town
- Llangrannog
- Parking
- Car park available near the beach; additional parking in/near the village with pay-and-display options closer to the seafront.
- Access
- Park in the Llangrannog car park and walk down to the shore (under 5 minutes). Alternatively, walk around Carreg Bica north to access Cilborth Beach at low tide.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Welsh
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Campsites, holiday cottages, and B&Bs available in the village and surrounding hills.
- Food & Drink
- Food and drink available via beachfront pubs and cafes.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf gear rental available via local surf school and seasonal beach shops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A coastal village with dramatic scenery and a surf- and outdoors-oriented community.
Part of the Wales Coast Path offering dramatic cliff-top views and access to secluded coves.
Welsh youth centre promoting Welsh language and culture through outdoor activities.
Boat trips from nearby New Quay to see a resident pod of bottlenose dolphins.
Traditional beachside pub known for seafood and local ales.
Historic pub offering classic Welsh hospitality and a menu of local produce.
Part of the Urdd center, offering skiing and tobogganing for children and families.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Llangrannog?
The best overall months at Llangrannog are February, March, April, May, January, November, December. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Llangrannog?
Llangrannog works with SSE winds.
What skill level is Llangrannog suitable for?
Llangrannog suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.