Lyme Regis Harbour Wall
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced to Expert
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- Spot Type
- 10–30 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Lyme Regis Harbour Wall (The Cobb) is a specialized, right-hand point break formed by the historic stone harbour wall. It’s described as quite exposed and very inconsistent: it typically only comes alive when the surrounding coast is already producing strong southwesterly swell that can wrap into the bay. When it works, the wave wraps around the wall and can peel along the Cobb, creating clean, rolling sections—often described as long rides on a good day. Offshore winds from the north/northwest are noted as helpful for grooming the wrap, but wind reliability is reported as low and conditions can vary substantially with tide. Safety is a key consideration. Hazards include the harbour wall and submerged rocks, plus strong currents/rip activity alongside the wall during larger swells. The harbour mouth and pontoon area are part of a busy commercial harbour, so water users should avoid surfing across the harbour mouth and stay clear of the pontoon zone. Extra attention is advised for nearby fishing boat traffic. Best timing is generally linked to winter and specific swell/tide windows: January is cited as a best month, and the spot is also described as best during working mid-tide on days when a very large southwest swell is available. Water temperatures are cold year-round, so heavier wetsuits are typically required during winter months.
- Right-hand peeling point break along The Cobb wall
- Works mainly with large southwesterly swell wrapping into the bay
- Offshore north/northwest winds can groom the swell wrap
- Very tide-sensitive and rocky hazard environment
- Can deliver clean, peeling right-hand point-break waves along The Cobb wall when conditions line up.
- Offshore wind from the north and northwest can help groom the swell wrap.
- When it works, rides can be long with peeling sections.
- Extremely fickle and inconsistent; rarely works unless larger-scale swell conditions are met.
- Rocky bottom and harbour structures increase risk.
- Busy commercial harbour near the launch/harbour mouth area.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- N, NNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 10–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind described as frontal; best conditions tied to Atlantic low-pressure systems from the west/northwest.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported.
- Best Months
- January
- Shadow Zones
- Significant wind shadow directly behind the harbour wall.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Pebble — Pebble beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Medium wave size reported; effective when a large southwest swell wraps into the bay.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Water/chop described as chop.
- Launch
- Small — Entry is via the pebble beach adjacent to the stone harbour wall.
Through the year
Can be crowded on rare days when it is working well, as many local surfers head here when other spots are blown out.
Late autumn and winter (October through January) have the highest frequency of storms and rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Fickle right-hand point break along the historic stone harbour wall (The Cobb). It can produce clean, peeling waves when massive Atlantic southwesterly swell wraps into the bay; it can get dumpy at high tide when it breaks onto shingle, and at low tide the bottom can be very rocky.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W
- Swell Height
- 2–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Some guidance also notes low tide can work for long rolling waves in big SW swell, but low tide is reported as too rocky in other conditions; mid-tide is described as a common 'best'.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Reported as exposed; wave/conditions depend strongly on swell wrapping into the harbour.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the north and northwest help groom the swell wrap; wind can be better aligned with offshore directions.
- Bigger Swell
- Requires a very large southwest swell to wrap into the bay and begin breaking.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as good quality when it works; described as inconsistent/extremely fickle.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported; can offer long peeling sections on the right day.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peels along the stone harbour wall.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Right-hand wave peels along the Cobb wall.
- Ride Length
- Long/rolling waves are reported in suitable conditions (often described as long sections when it works).
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves wrap around the wall and can provide long, peeling sections. One source quantifies typical ride length as 50–150 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Lyme Regis Harbour Wall in the full forecast view.
Lyme Regis Harbour Wall wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–30 ktsGusts 47 kts
- Direction
- SW225°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2430 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–3.8 m6s period
- Temperature
- 10–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Lyme Regis Harbour Wall is forecast for daytime winds of 3–30 kts, peaking around 30 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 47 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.4–3.8 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
- hard stone harbour wall
- submerged rocks
- boulders near the shoreline
- busy commercial harbour
- strong rip currents alongside the wall during large swells
- pollution after heavy rain
- nearby fishing boat traffic entering and leaving the harbour mouth
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence reported.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Do not surf across the harbour mouth and avoid the pontoon area. Wind, Kite and Foil Surfers may launch within the swim buoy area from the main pebble beach, but should avoid the area immediately in front of the sandy beach; keep to the seaward side of the swim buoy line.
- Do not surf across the harbour mouth
- Avoid the pontoon area
- Avoid surfing too close to the harbour entrance
- Keep to the seaward side of the swim buoy line when launching within the swim buoy area
- The spot is extremely fickle and only works when the rest of the coast is maxed out with huge swells.
- Best at mid-tide; high tide can cause backwash off the wall, and low tide is too rocky.
- Avoid the pontoon area and the area in front of the sandy beach.
- Do not surf across the harbour mouth.
- Be alert to local fishing boat traffic near the harbour mouth.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lyme Regis
- Nearest Town
- Lyme Regis
- Parking
- Monmouth Beach car park is a short walk from the bay; additional pay and display options reported at Holmbush or Monmouth Beach car parks.
- Access
- Short walk west from Monmouth Beach car park to the eastern lee side of the harbour breakwater. Access from the North wall of the Cobb across the Main Sandy beach on Marine Parade to Church Cove by the Clock tower.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels, B&Bs, and holiday cottages in Lyme Regis.
- Food & Drink
- Various pubs, fish and chip shops, and cafes located around the harbour area.
- Equipment Rental:
- SUP and kayak rental is readily available at the Lyme Regis seafront; specialized windsurfing or kitesurfing rentals are more commonly found nearby (not specified for this exact spot).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
An iconic 13th-century stone harbour wall offering panoramic coastal views; featured in Jane Austen’s 'Persuasion'.
A private museum in a traditional church building showcasing local Jurassic fossils.
Guided cliff and beach walks around Lyme Regis and Charmouth to discover prehistoric remains.
Renowned seafood restaurant overlooking the bay, emphasizing local Dorset produce.
A traditional family-run aquarium on the Cobb with local sea life and interactive exhibits.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Lyme Regis Harbour Wall?
The best overall months at Lyme Regis Harbour Wall are December, January, February. The best wind months are January.
Which wind directions work at Lyme Regis Harbour Wall?
Lyme Regis Harbour Wall works with NW winds. Offshore directions are N, NNW, NW.
What skill level is Lyme Regis Harbour Wall suitable for?
Lyme Regis Harbour Wall suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.