Ogmore (Ogmore-by-Sea)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Ogmore-by-Sea is a fairly exposed beach/river-mouth break in the Vale of Glamorgan, known for producing fast, powerful surf that can be regular but inconsistent. Summer conditions are often flatter, while autumn and winter tend to deliver more consistently workable waves—especially when tide and river flow align. The wave setup is described as a beach-break that can work across all tides, with a practical preference for mid to high tide. Waves are typically short and punchy (often under 50m), though the river mouth can occasionally offer longer sections. The break holds usable size up to around 2.5m+ and can become heavy and disorganized on larger SW swells; the river mouth may hold better than the open beach when swell builds. Wind plays a key role in wave quality. SE winds are reported to work well for surfing, while offshore East and North-East winds are also described as cleaner for conditions. However, too much SW wind can make the surf messy. Overall, best month coverage is centered on February. Safety planning is important: the area is affected by the River Ogmore and Bristol Channel tidal forces, with strong tidal currents and river outflow. Pollution risk is specifically noted after heavy rain, and rocks/submerged ledges can become more exposed at low tide. Check water quality advisories before heading in and stay alert to shifting access and currents around the river mouth.
- Fast, powerful, punchy surf with short rides
- River-mouth influence and very high tides make timing important
- Best month reported as February
- Wind/tide alignment strongly affects wave quality
- Fast, powerful, punchy waves with a fairly exposed beach/river-mouth setup
- Works across multiple tide states, with commonly best performance around mid to high tide
- Holds size up to about 2.5m+
- Easy to access with short walk time once at the beach area
- Low-profile scene with few surfers on weekdays and weekends (typically)
- Surf is regular but inconsistent, and summer can be mostly flat
- Very high tidal range means conditions and hazards can change rapidly
- Pollution risk after heavy rainfall
- Rocks/submerged ledges and the river outflow create hazards, especially at low tide or with strong currents
- Can get messy with too much SW wind
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, SSE, SW, W, NW
- Offshore directions
- E, ENE, NE, NNE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Often reported as prone to gustiness in the local wind regime.
- Best Months
- February
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs can create wind shadows very close to shore in certain northerly or easterly directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed
- Beach
- Mixed — Combination of sand with rocky outcrops/pebbles and stones at high tide.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Works from less than 1m and holds up to about 2.5m+; winter swell can be more powerful.
- Launch
- Small — Instant beach access with an easy short walk; exact tide-dependent surface can shift between stones/pebbles and sand with rocky outcrops.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Access described as easy/immediate, but surfing conditions can be moderate-difficulty due to tides/currents.
Through the year
Typically low year-round with few surfers, though can be busier on sunny weekends and during summer holidays.
Rainfall is common year-round; increased storm activity from October through March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A fairly exposed river/near-river mouth beach-break with regular but inconsistent surf. Summer can be mostly flat, while winter tends to produce more consistently workable waves. Waves are described as powerful with fast, punchy peaks, best when tide and river flow align.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Sources note best performance at mid to high tide, while also indicating the break can work across all tides.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Reported as fairly exposed; river-mouth and beach shape can reduce some effects versus fully open coast.
- Wind Effect
- SE wind is reported to work well for surfing; East and North-East winds are described as offshore and can provide the cleanest conditions. Too much SW wind can make the surf messy.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up to about 2.5m+ and can become heavy/disorganized with large SW swells; the river mouth may hold better than the open beach.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Quality is described as good/average; also characterized as a regional classic.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as fast and powerful; can still vary with conditions.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Reported as peeling / mixed.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Reported as fast/punchy.
- Ride Length
- Short — Often short sessions by wave-to-wave length; typical wave length generally under 50m, with occasional pockets longer from the river mouth.
- Typical Ride Length
- 40–80 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short rides are typical (<50m); the river mouth can occasionally offer longer sections.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ogmore (Ogmore-by-Sea) in the full forecast view.
Ogmore (Ogmore-by-Sea) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–32 ktsGusts 53 kts
- Direction
- WSW241°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2432 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–4.3 m8s period
- Temperature
- 10–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ogmore (Ogmore-by-Sea) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–32 kts, peaking around 32 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 53 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.8–4.3 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
- Pollution (especially after heavy rain)
- Strong tidal currents
- Submerged ledges
- Debris from the river mouth
- Reef
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal coverage reported for the broader area; not consistently available at all times.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue coverage in the broader area is typically limited (with major support via coastguard/RNLI arrangements).
- Emergency Info
- Dial 999 or 112 for Coastguard. Nearest major hospital services reported in Bridgend (A&E).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Noted localism concerns.
Rules of the spot
Be mindful that water access and hazards can change rapidly with the very high tides; check local water quality advisories, especially after heavy rainfall when River Ogmore outflow can carry runoff.
- Watch for pollution after heavy rain; the river mouth can be affected.
- Be careful at low tide around rocks.
- Check water quality via local environmental updates before you go.
- The best conditions are often at mid to high tide; too much SW wind can make the waves messy.
- Stay aware of unpredictable river-mouth currents and your position relative to shore.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Bridgend
- Nearest Town
- St Brides Major
- Parking
- Large pay and display car park directly overlooking the beach.
- Access
- Accessible by car via the B4524 from Bridgend or St Brides Major; once you reach Bridgend follow signposts for Ogmore with instant beach access (<5 min walk). Parking is available at a large pay-and-display car park overlooking the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various guesthouses and holiday rentals in Ogmore-by-Sea and the surrounding Vale of Glamorgan.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and a pub are within walking distance of the main car park.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is limited locally; bringing your own gear is commonly recommended, with options available through the wider Bridgend/Porthcawl area.
- Gear Storage
- Public gear storage facilities are not widely available in the immediate area; most visitors use private vehicle storage.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A rugged and scenic stretch of Glamorgan Heritage Coast with cliffs and river-mouth terrain that exposes extensive sandy areas at low tide.
The second-highest sand dunes in Europe, offering extensive walking trails and a unique ecosystem.
A 14-mile stretch of the Wales Coast Path featuring dramatic limestone cliffs and hidden coves.
A Grade I listed 12th-century castle ruins located on the south bank of the River Ewenny.
A historic pub and restaurant known for local ales and seasonal Welsh cuisine.
An adventure farm with indoor and outdoor play areas for children.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ogmore (Ogmore-by-Sea)?
The best overall months at Ogmore (Ogmore-by-Sea) are February, October, November, December, January, March. The best wind months are February.
Which wind directions work at Ogmore (Ogmore-by-Sea)?
Ogmore (Ogmore-by-Sea) works with SE, SSE, SW, W, NW winds. Offshore directions are E, ENE, NE, NNE.
What skill level is Ogmore (Ogmore-by-Sea) suitable for?
Ogmore (Ogmore-by-Sea) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.