Lyme Regis
- Wave, Freeride
- Best for
- Beginner to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop, Small waves, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- 15–30 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 is a tide-dependent spot on the Jurassic Coast where south to south-west winds (S, SSW, SW and WSW) are favored. Kitesurfing and wingfoiling are commonly organized around getting enough water depth near the Cobb, and both benefit from high tide (reported as best around high tide with a ±2 hour window for depth and safer access). Conditions near the harbor structures are also where riders should expect turbulence and technical complexity. For kitesurfing, the water is described as flat to choppy with small to medium waves. The spot is strongly influenced by the Cobb harbor wall, and wind quality can be affected by turbulence and possible wind shadows behind the harbor and nearby cliffs. Water quality is typically reported as cloudy, and hazards near the waterline include buoys, reefs, and a wave breaker. Wingfoiling is reported as best at high tide for depth and safer conditions close to the Cobb, while still requiring care due to underwater rocks/groynes and a pebbly shelf that may require riders to walk out further before foiling safely. Wind direction matters for how clean the water/face feels, and one description notes occasional sea-breeze reinforcement in warmer months. Surfing is conditional and generally needs a sufficiently large SW swell to wrap into the bay, with ride quality varying by wind and swell size. Overall, the spot is framed as technical rather than casual: timing with the tide is a repeated safety requirement, and winter conditions (including chilly water temps) mean full wetsuit coverage is typically necessary year-round.
- S to WSW wind directions are favored for powered water-sports sessions.
- High tide is critical for depth and safer conditions near the Cobb.
- Turbulence and wind shadow effects around the Cobb harbor wall are a key local factor.
- RNLI 24/7 emergency response via Lyme Regis Harbour station (regional coverage).
- Favored wind directions are S to WSW, with SSW noted as the sweet spot.
- High tide is specifically beneficial for depth and safer conditions near the Cobb.
- Broad sport versatility: kitesurfing, windsurfing, and wingfoiling are all reported as viable.
- RNLI coast/rescue coverage for the region.
- Highly tide-dependent access and depth; conditions can become unsafe or unavailable at some tidal states.
- Technical/turbulent conditions near the Cobb harbor wall, with strong tidal currents in the harbor entrance area.
- Pebbly/mixed launch areas and underwater hazards (rocks/groynes) increase launch and riding complexity.
- Water quality is reported as cloudy.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSW, SW, WSW
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal winds are the dominant pattern, with most consistent conditions from the south-west; mild sea-breeze effects can occasionally reinforce SW winds in spring/summer.
- Reliability
- Moderate; requires specific frontal conditions for consistency.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported for typical conditions.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop, Small waves, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand is reported, while other notes describe pebbly/mixed launch beaches.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium wave on the wider conditions summary.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Water can range from flat to choppy; reported as flat/chop and also as chop overall.
- Launch
- Medium — Launch area described as primarily pebbly East Beach / Church Cliff Beach; near the Cobb wall for depth.
Through the year
Extremely crowded with tourists from June to August; quiet and manageable in the off-season.
Late autumn and winter (October through January) have the highest frequency of storms and rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Works in flat to choppy water with small to medium waves; best at high tide for depth and safer conditions near the Cobb. S to SW winds are favored, with SSW described as the sweet spot. Launching/turbulence near the Cobb wall is a key technical consideration.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Possible at high tide with flat to choppy water; suitable for freeride and wave styles on larger SW swell days.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–6.5 m²
Best at high tide (± 2 hours) for depth and safer conditions near the Cobb; suitable for foiling but caution is advised due to underwater rocks/groynes near the shore.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly reported, with depth considerations.
- Min Depth
- Requires walking out past the initial pebble shelf.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Beach break that typically needs a large SW swell to wrap into the bay for a rideable wave.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, WSW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Reported as best at mid tide; other descriptions note longer rolling waves near the harbor breakwater at low tide in big SW swell.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Semi-sheltered conditions near the harbor/structures when the swell wraps into the bay.
- Wind Effect
- Needs light N or NE winds to stay clean (wind direction can strongly affect how the wave looks).
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy and closed out on very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Quality reported as average overall.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — A large SW swell can be required for the bay to wrap into the area.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Can become messy/closed out on very large swells.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Rideable wave can occur under specific conditions near the harbor wall.
- Ride Length Details
- One description notes breaks that can run up to about 100 meters; another reports short rides overall.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Lyme Regis in the full forecast view.
Lyme Regis wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–28 ktsGusts 47 kts
- Direction
- SW226°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2428 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–3.9 m6s period
- Temperature
- 9–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Lyme Regis is forecast for daytime winds of 3–28 kts, peaking around 28 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 47 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.4–3.9 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
- Buoys
- Reefs
- Wave breaker
- The Cobb harbor wall
- Strong tidal currents
- Cliffs
- Rock groynes
- Pebbles/boulders on the beach
- Rock bottom
- Potential wind shadows/turbulence near harbor structures
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguard presence is seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Well-served by RNLI with a lifeboat station at Lyme Regis Harbour providing 24/7 emergency response for the coastal region.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospital is in Dorchester; coastguard is active in the Lyme Regis harbor (and emergency services can be reached via 999/112).
Rules of the spot
At high tide, beach access/launching conditions can change significantly; avoid launching when access is restricted and time sessions carefully around tidal state for safe depth near the Cobb.
- Access restricted at low tide (depth/safety near the Cobb).
- Seasonal exclusion/restrictions can apply near swimming areas (main sandy Front Beach) in peak summer months.
- Best in S to SW winds, with SSW described as the sweet spot.
- Watch out for turbulence created by the Cobb wall.
- Launch from the East Beach to stay clear of harbor traffic.
- Check tide times carefully; the beach can disappear against the cliffs at high tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Exeter
- Nearest Town
- Lyme Regis
- Nearest Airport
- Exeter Airport (EXT)
- Parking
- Monmouth Beach car park; public car parks also listed at Holmbush, Monmouth Beach, and Woodmead (can fill up quickly in summer).
- Public Transport
- Accessible via X51 and X53 Jurassic Coaster bus services to the nearest railway station at Axminster (~6 miles away), plus local bus connections to Lyme Regis.
- Access
- Accessible via the A35 west from Bournemouth until you see signs to Lyme Regis.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses, hotels, holiday rentals and camps/campsites across Lyme Regis and Charmouth.
- Food & Drink
- Town offers pubs, cafes and seafood restaurants overlooking the bay.
- Equipment Rental:
- Specialized windsurfing or kitesurfing rentals more commonly found in nearby areas; SUP and kayak rental is readily available along the seafront.
- Gear Storage
- Storage primarily available for members of local sailing and boat clubs near the harbor.
- Gear Repair
- Basic fiberglass and dinghy repair services available via local marine engineering firms in the Lyme Regis industrial area (regional/nearby context).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Lyme Regis sits in the heart of the Jurassic Coast with iconic waterfront views, fossil-focused attractions, and strong family tourism alongside active water-sports culture.
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.
Educational center focused on the geology and paleontology of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Guided cliff and beach walks around Lyme Regis and Charmouth to discover prehistoric remains.
Renowned seafood restaurant overlooking the bay, emphasizing local Dorset produce.
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?
The best overall months at Lyme Regis are September, October, November. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Lyme Regis?
Lyme Regis works with S, SSW, SW, WSW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Lyme Regis?
Recommended equipment sizes at Lyme Regis: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Lyme Regis suitable for?
Lyme Regis suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Advanced · Windsurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Beginner to Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.