The Point (Ballafesson)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
The Point (Ballafesson) is an advanced surfing point break on the Isle of Man, characterized by rocky reef/bottom conditions and swell-dependent performance. Multiple reports emphasize a fast, hollow/technical ride on the correct swell, with size building potential on bigger swells. Conditions and hazards are dominated by the coast’s ruggedness: there are submerged rocks, boulders, and slippery access/entry points. Guidance strongly recommends low tide for easier access, but even then surfers should be prepared for rocky footing and careful timing. Tidal effects are a major part of the spot’s difficulty. Currents can be strong, and the current can pull you toward open water—so you need to monitor tide timing and be confident managing a rocky, tide-influenced launch/exit. For gear, cold-water readiness is essential. Winter recommendations include a wetsuit with a neoprene hood, gloves, and boots, with additional winter emphasis also reported for full protection. Lifeguards are not reported at the point; regional rescue coverage exists, but on-the-spot rescue is not indicated—so plan as an advanced, self-sufficient surfer.
- Advanced, fast hollow/peeling point-break surfing on big swells
- Rocky reef bottom with submerged hazards—requires careful entry/exit
- Offshore northerly winds can improve wave face cleanliness
- High-quality point-break surfing potential on the right swell
- Offshore northerly winds can create cleaner faces
- Roadside access makes it straightforward to reach the point (especially around low tide)
- Advanced-only conditions with fast, hollow/technical wave shape over a rocky reef/bottom
- Rocky entry/exit points with slippery areas and submerged hazards
- Strong tidal currents/races can become very significant
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NW
- Offshore directions
- N, NE, NW
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Atlantic frontal systems with prevailing gradient winds in the region.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Possible sheltering in the lee of the headland during southerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky reef/rocky shoreline.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium waves reported; the spot is noted to work on larger swells as conditions build.
- Launch
- Small — Easy self-launch from a grassy roadside area in one description; rocky entry/exit points are also described.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Conflicting difficulty reports: described as easy self-launch in one guide, but also described as difficult with rocky entry/exit points and strong currents.
Through the year
Rarely crowded; mostly local riders.
Winter months are prone to heavy Atlantic depressions.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Point break over a rocky reef. Reported directions conflict between sources (left-hand vs right-hand point break), but both describe advanced, reef/rocky, hollow/peeling characteristics and strong swell dependency.
- Optimal Swell
- SW, S
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Access is easiest and conditions are better at low tide per guidance.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — More sheltered relative to open exposure, but still affected by tides/currents and rocky entry.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore in northerly winds, creating cleaner faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Starts working on big swells; handles size well, but tidal currents become very strong.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good to quality waves; best performance depends on the correct swell and swell wrapping into the bay.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as powerful in one source; moderate in another.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Fast hollow ride over a rocky reef; also described as peeling at times.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast hollow/peeling sections reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typical rides described as medium; best days can offer very long rides.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer rides up to 150 meters on best days; typical ride length reported around 100 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for The Point (Ballafesson) in the full forecast view.
The Point (Ballafesson) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 9–35 ktsGusts 59 kts
- Direction
- SW223°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2535 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–3.9 m6s period
- Temperature
- 10–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, The Point (Ballafesson) is forecast for daytime winds of 9–35 kts, peaking around 35 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 59 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.6–3.9 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
- Submerged rocks
- Strong tidal currents/tidal races
- Slippery access points
- Large rocks and submerged boulders
- Cold water
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as no at the point; regional baseline notes limited availability with RNLI stations in nearby towns.
- Emergency Info
- RNLI lifeboat coverage is available at Port Erin and Port St Mary for rapid response coverage; emergency contact is 999 or 112 for all services.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localism described as none in one guide; mild local rider presence is also reported.
Rules of the spot
Advanced surfer only due to fast, hollow waves over a rocky reef; access and exits are hazardous—take care with slipping surfaces and submerged hazards. Keep a close eye on tides and currents, which can become very strong near the point.
- Not suitable for beginners/intermediates due to advanced, fast/hollow wave characteristics and rocky hazards.
- Access is easiest at low tide, but be wary of rocks when getting in and out.
- Keep an eye on the tide as the current can pull you toward the open sea.
- Access is easy from the roadside area; park on the grass and the break is straight in front of you.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ballafesson
- Nearest Town
- Ballafesson
- Parking
- Park on the grass near the road near the access area for instant access to the break.
- Access
- Easy access just off the road; park on the grass and the break is straight in front of you (instant access under ~5 minutes).
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and holiday rentals are available in Port St Mary and Port Erin.
- Food & Drink
- Cafes and pubs are located in the nearby village of Port St Mary.
- Equipment Rental:
- No specialized surf rental at the point itself.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A rugged, maritime coastline with heritage-focused attractions nearby.
A historic narrow-gauge steam railway connecting the south to the capital, Douglas.
A living museum and traditional Manx village showcasing 19th-century crofting life.
Wildlife and birdwatching excursions to the small island and nature reserve off the southern tip.
A local pub and dining venue popular with the coastal community.
A sheltered sandy bay ideal for families, swimming, and light water sports.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at The Point (Ballafesson)?
The best overall months at The Point (Ballafesson) are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at The Point (Ballafesson)?
The Point (Ballafesson) works with N, NNE, NW winds. Offshore directions are N, NE, NW.
What skill level is The Point (Ballafesson) suitable for?
The Point (Ballafesson) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.