Talbenny Cross (near Broadhaven)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Talbenny Cross (near Broadhaven) is described as a fairly exposed, sandy beach break with quite consistent surf that can work at any time of the year. Surf conditions are reported as best in winter—especially January—when wave quality is typically stronger. For beginners, the site is often easiest in summer when waves are smaller and more mellow, but conditions still vary with tide and swell. Swell direction that tends to work well is west to west-southwest, paired with an offshore wind pattern. Offshore east-southeast winds are specifically noted to produce cleaner waves, while stronger westerly winds can make conditions messy. Wave quality is described as good to average depending on timing, and waves can become dumpy/mushy toward the top of the tide. On bigger swells, closing out is reported once swell gets high. Tide is important: best surf is consistently associated with high to mid-to-high tide. Providers also warn that at low tide the breaking waves can sit very far out and lose shape. Water is notably cold, with winter sea temperatures around the mid-teens °C, and the guidance emphasizes appropriate thermal protection, including a hood, gloves, and boots in colder months. Safety-wise, the beach has several hazards: Lion Rock to the north, submerged rocks at both ends, and rip currents near rocky headlands. Swimming restrictions are reported for higher wave conditions, and in summer designated bathing zones are marked by flags—surfers and power sports must stay outside those areas. Rescue/lifeguard coverage is described as limited and seasonal, so careful planning (including checking tide times) is recommended before launching.
- Consistent, fairly exposed surf year-round
- Offshore east-southeast winds improve wave cleanliness
- Best surf reported in winter (especially January)
- Wide sandy launch area for setup and parking near the seafront
- Fairly exposed, consistent beach break with year-round surf.
- Offshore ESE winds are described as producing cleaner surf.
- Wide sandy beach gives room for launching/landing and tends to suit beginners (with local hazard awareness).
- High/upper-tide conditions are reported as best for wave shape and access.
- Rescue availability described as limited.
- Submerged rocks (both ends) and Lion Rock to the north.
- Cool water requires appropriate wetsuit/thermal protection.
- Tide can strongly affect where waves break and access to the working lineup.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ESE
- Offshore directions
- ESE
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Reliability
- Moderate; depends on Atlantic depressions (for broader directional patterns).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs can provide some shelter from very strong winds but may cause turbulence close to shore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Providers describe summer as small and winter as producing the best quality; surf size can increase with Atlantic swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide, sandy beach with ample space for launching/landing equipment (especially outside peak summer crowds).
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy launch described due to wide, sandy setup area.
Through the year
Very crowded in July and August; quiet and peaceful during the winter months.
Winter months often see frequent rain and Atlantic storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Suitable for kitesurfing in westerly winds; wide beach at lower tides is described as excellent for setup.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Popular for wave sailing when swell is running and wind is side-shore; sandy bottom supports progression.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Possible but requires walking out significantly at low tide for sufficient depth; best at mid to high tide to avoid long walks.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly described as yes.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Fairly exposed beach break with quite consistent surf year-round. Best wave quality is reported in winter (especially January). Small summer waves are described as ideal for beginners; at low tide the waves can be very far out and often lose their shape.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WSW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — Best at mid to high tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore east-southeast wind (ESE) produces cleaner waves; strong west winds make conditions messier.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when the swell exceeds about 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Providers vary between “good” and “average” depending on swell/tide; overall described as consistent.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Softer/“mellow” wave energy described for beginner-friendly summer surf; moderate to soft overall depending on conditions.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Mellow/peeling characteristics; can become mushy or dumpy near the top of the tide (provider notes).
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Decent ride length, especially on a solid Atlantic swell; can become dumpy at the very top of the tide.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical ride distances reported around 50–100 meters on working swells; can shorten on very late/very top tide conditions.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Talbenny Cross (near Broadhaven) in the full forecast view.
Talbenny Cross (near Broadhaven) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–30 ktsGusts 50 kts
- Direction
- SW230°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2430 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–3.9 m8s period
- Temperature
- 11–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Talbenny Cross (near Broadhaven) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–30 kts, peaking around 30 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 50 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.7–3.9 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
- Cool water
- Dangerous for swimming when wave height exceeds about 1 m
- Lion Rock to the north
- Submerged rocks at both ends of the beach
- Rip currents can occur, particularly near rocky headlands
- Seasonal crowds and swimmers
- Dogs restricted to parts of the beach during summer months
- Seasonal craft exclusion zones for swimmers
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal cover at the primary beach is described for May through September.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest. In the UK, emergency services can be reached by dialing 999 or 112.
Rules of the spot
During summer months, designated bathing zones are marked by flags; surfing and power sports must stay outside these zones. Check tide times carefully—at high tide the beach can be dramatically reduced against the sea wall.
- Swimming forbidden when wave height >1.5 m (per surf spot guidance)
- Swimming forbidden when wave height >1.5 m (per restrictions)
- Dog restrictions apply to parts of the beach during summer months
- Seasonal craft exclusion zones for swimmers
- Check the tide times carefully; at high tide the beach can disappear completely against the sea wall.
- The northern end near Lion Rock usually has a slightly better wave shape but more rocks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Haverfordwest
- Nearest Town
- Talbenny
- Nearest Airport
- Cardiff Airport (CWL) (~70 km / about 100 miles) or Bristol (BRS) noted as having more international connections.
- Parking
- Large pay-and-display car park at the seafront, with additional overflow parking in the village.
- Public Transport
- Local bus services connect the area to Haverfordwest; Haverfordwest links to Swansea and Cardiff via rail
- Access
- Easily accessible via the B4341 from Haverfordwest; the beach is directly adjacent to the village.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous campsites, holiday cottages, and a youth hostel are located within walking distance; broader options are also available in Haverfordwest.
- Food & Drink
- Several pubs and cafes are located along the seafront offering views of the bay.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental described as available (surfboards, paddleboards, and wetsuits are available for hire from local shops in the village). Specialized wind-sport gear may be more limited.
- Gear Storage
- Private storage described as generally limited to specific surf school facilities or local residents; most visitors store gear in vehicles or accommodation.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and wetsuit repairs available through local shops; specialized kite/sail repair may require travel to larger hubs.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Havens (Broad Haven area) pairs rugged Pembrokeshire coastal scenery with a relaxed village setting, known for its national-park hiking alongside year-round water sports.
A 186-mile national trail with cliff-top views and access to hidden coves.
Boat excursions to see puffins, seals, and diverse marine life.
A historic 12th-century cathedral in the UK's smallest city.
Beachfront dining specializing in local seafood and casual pub fare.
A popular family attraction with animals, vintage fairgrounds, and play areas.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Talbenny Cross (near Broadhaven)?
The best overall months at Talbenny Cross (near Broadhaven) are January, October, November, December. The best wind months are January.
Which wind directions work at Talbenny Cross (near Broadhaven)?
Talbenny Cross (near Broadhaven) works with ESE winds. Offshore directions are ESE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Talbenny Cross (near Broadhaven)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Talbenny Cross (near Broadhaven): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Talbenny Cross (near Broadhaven) suitable for?
Talbenny Cross (near Broadhaven) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.