Marloes Sands (Marloes)

KitesurfingWindsurfingSurfing
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • 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
Heads up
  • Exposed conditions with rocky/submerged hazards
  • No lifeguards; swimming is at your own risk
  • Rip currents and fast-rising tide can restrict access
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
9–18 °C
Water Temperature
5–20 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan, Feb, Mar: 5/4mm + Boots, Gloves, HoodApr, Dec: 5/4mm + Boots, Gloves, HoodMay–Nov: 3/2mm or 4/3mm
Crowds by Season

Rarely crowded year-round due to long access walk.

Storm/Rain Season

Winter months (November to February) can bring frequent Atlantic storms.

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingSkill Level

Rarely used for kitesurfing due to long access with gear and dangerous wind turbulence/shadow near cliffs.

Wave
WindsurfingSkill Level

Not a traditional windsurfing choice because access is difficult and cliff-induced turbulence affects wind quality.

Wave
SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Beach break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestLeash

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.

Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Toilets
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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Skomer Island3km

World-renowned wildlife reserve famous for its massive puffin colony and Manx shearwaters, accessible by boat from Martin's Haven.

Skomer Island bird colonynear Marloes peninsula

Popular bird-watching destination and important bird colony within the Marine Nature Reserve.

Albion shipwreckon the beach

Remains of the paddle steamer Albion (wrecked in 1837), including its prop shaft visible at low tide.

Pembroke Castle20km

A massive medieval stone castle and the birthplace of Henry VII.

Pembrokeshire Coast Path0km

Part of the National Trail, offering cliff-top hiking with views of the rugged Atlantic coastline.

Coasteering10km

The region is known for coasteering: cliff jumping, rock scrambling, and cave swimming.

Geological rock formations at Marloes Sands

Rock strata and geological formations visible at low tide.

Marloes village establishmentsMarloes village (walking distance from car park)

Pub, restaurant, and café/bar in Marloes village.

The Lobster Pot2km

A local pub in Marloes village known for serving fresh seafood and local ales.

Rockpoolswestern end

Rockpools at the western end of the beach for exploration.

Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo35km

A family attraction with zoo animals, indoor play areas, and a vintage funfair.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.