Marloes Sands (Marloes)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Marloes Sands is a remote, quite exposed sandy beach break where the surf is driven by Atlantic swell. Sessions are typically most successful when a west-to-southwest swell combines with northeast offshore winds, helping produce groomed faces. Waves are reported as both lefts and rights, with ride lengths commonly around 50 to 150 meters on good days. Tide and access matter a lot: the beach can open up at low tide, revealing a wide expanse of firm sand and rock-pool areas, while at high tide the beach can nearly disappear, leaving mostly rocks and pebbles. Fast-rising tide can also cut off access, so planning your session for low to mid-tide (and returning before you get stranded by changing water levels) is essential. Safety is a primary consideration. The area has rocks/reef and strong rip currents, including warnings about dangerous rips near the island of Gateholm. There is no lifeguard cover, so swimming is entirely at your own risk and requires extra caution—especially with children. Expect steep, long walking back up the path after a longer session. Overall, conditions are described as generally tame at times but can become heavy and challenging on stronger swells, with the potential for waves up to around 2m+ / 6ft+ when it’s firing. Crowds are typically low due to the long walk from parking, which makes it an appealing option for surfers looking for a quieter, more natural beach environment.
- Rarely crowded due to long access walk
- Northeast winds act offshore on surf days
- Good-quality beach break with lefts and rights
- Clean water and a remote, rarely crowded beach break
- Good-quality surfing peaks on solid west/southwest Atlantic swell with northeast offshore winds
- Long walk helps keep crowds down
- Exposed conditions with rocky/submerged hazards
- No lifeguards; swimming is at your own risk
- Rip currents and fast-rising tide can restrict access
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Northeast winds; described as frontal in one source and generally offshore for surf when swell arrives.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- February
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs can create wind shadow and turbulence near shore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Surf sizes described as working on solid days up to roughly 2m+ / 6ft+.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Described as chop in one enrichment source.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach at low tide; beach becomes nearly covered at high tide leaving limited access.
Through the year
Rarely crowded year-round due to long access walk.
Winter months (November to February) can bring frequent Atlantic storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Rarely used for kitesurfing due to long access with gear and dangerous wind turbulence/shadow near cliffs.
Not a traditional windsurfing choice because access is difficult and cliff-induced turbulence affects wind quality.
Quite exposed beach break with both left and right waves; best with a West to southwest swell and northeast offshore wind, especially around low to mid-tide.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WSW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is repeatedly favored; other guidance also notes sessions do well from mid to low.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open, exposed beach with cliff-side exposure.
- Wind Effect
- Northeast winds are offshore and can help produce cleaner, groomed faces; some cross-shore chop can occur when swell arrives.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold up to roughly 2m+ / 6ft+; becomes heavy and more challenging with strong rips.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Sources describe mixed/peeling characteristics depending on conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typically 50 to 150 meters on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal ride length reported as 50 to 150 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Marloes Sands (Marloes) in the full forecast view.
Marloes Sands (Marloes) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 9–34 ktsGusts 50 kts
- Direction
- SW229°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2434 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–4.9 m8s period
- Temperature
- 12–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Marloes Sands (Marloes) is forecast for daytime winds of 9–34 kts, peaking around 34 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 50 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 1.0–4.9 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
- Reef
- Submerged rocks
- Submerged reef sections
- Rip currents
- Fast-rising tide (tidal cutoff can cut off access)
- Exposed rock ridges
- Cliff falls
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major A&E identified as Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest.
Rules of the spot
No lifeguard cover; swim at your own risk and use sound personal judgment.
- Aim to arrive at low to mid-tide; the beach can be cut off or nearly disappear at high tide.
- Be cautious of rip currents and rocky/submerged hazards.
- Plan your walk back carefully after a long session; the path back can be steep and long.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Haverfordwest
- Nearest Town
- Marloes
- Parking
- National Trust car park (footpath access); farmer's field parking available for a small donation (shorter walk).
- Access
- Park in the National Trust car park and take a 15-30 minute walk down a footpath across a small wooden bridge crossing a stream to reach the beach; alternatively, park in a farmer's field for a small donation to reduce walking distance by about half.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and local B&Bs in Marloes village are mentioned.
- Food & Drink
- A cafe near the car park is mentioned; no food/drink facilities on the beach itself.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals at the beach itself; rentals are available in nearby hubs serving the wider area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
World-renowned wildlife reserve famous for its massive puffin colony and Manx shearwaters, accessible by boat from Martin's Haven.
Popular bird-watching destination and important bird colony within the Marine Nature Reserve.
Remains of the paddle steamer Albion (wrecked in 1837), including its prop shaft visible at low tide.
A massive medieval stone castle and the birthplace of Henry VII.
Part of the National Trail, offering cliff-top hiking with views of the rugged Atlantic coastline.
The region is known for coasteering: cliff jumping, rock scrambling, and cave swimming.
Rock strata and geological formations visible at low tide.
Pub, restaurant, and café/bar in Marloes village.
A local pub in Marloes village known for serving fresh seafood and local ales.
Rockpools at the western end of the beach for exploration.
A family attraction with zoo animals, indoor play areas, and a vintage funfair.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Marloes Sands (Marloes)?
The best overall months at Marloes Sands (Marloes) are January, February, December. The best wind months are February.
Which wind directions work at Marloes Sands (Marloes)?
Marloes Sands (Marloes) works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is Marloes Sands (Marloes) suitable for?
Marloes Sands (Marloes) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Expert · Windsurfing: Expert · Surfing: Intermediate.