It tends to work best in Winter but Autumn and Spring can also produce good waves. Waves re-bound off the cliffs on the left hand side of the beach to form giant wedges which are practically impossible to duckdive so time your paddle out after each ride.
The lip here is very thick and heavy and will undoubtedly flatten you at some point!
It's also not unusual to have waves coming at you from two directions at once here. This wave will humble you but you'll have fun or nightmares trying to surf it.
It produces lovely looking barrels, predominantly lefts so it's perfect for goofy footers. The take off is on a par with being thrown from a speeding train and makes manoeuvres pretty difficult. This wave snaps boards like candy so be warned. If you have a special board with you that you're very fond of, don't take it out!
If you can't stand up immediately and drop into a vaccumous pit then surf somewhere else! The takeoff is frighteningly quick for standups and the wedges often contort into all manner of shapes as you drop down the wave face.
Most rides consist of only one manoeuvre - a lip bash, floater, tube or half drowning sensation! If you don't get barrelled you'll normally be pummelled instead. The far wedge is great for boogers who don't have the hassles of standing up first before pulling into deep pits.
Tip: Paddle out on the right and surf a few smaller waves first so you get used to the take off and wall section.
Respect the local crew if you go. They have priority on the far peak so wait your turn. It's been getting more and more crowded here lately and is not a big beach as there are only 2-3 main peaks so don't drop in. The speed and power of the wave make it particularly dangerous as there's no time to kick out or avoid someone.
your comments
valley sponger
Everyone knows this is a bodyboarding wave and not a stand ups! Fair play to the very select few local stand up rippers who chare the wave but the others are just a pain! To Cat in Cardiff, I used to stand up surf but progressed to a bodyboard, not the way you describe us! Give way to the spongers!
Mon May 11 10:55:24 2009
Mark Haynes
Surfed it FOR 30 YEARS- 14 FT BIGGEST IN 94! AWESOME...
Mon Sep 15 15:39:18 2008
bob james - cardiff
Surfed here when all the locals were saying it was the best they've ever seen it... it was just a heavy close out and you can't get waves coz of body boarders.
Mon Dec 31 11:20:10 2007
Tim Narberth
watch out for 'tourists' being followed by photographers when its working.
Mon Sep 24 16:04:59 2007
padraig hanley from sligo
Caught my best ever tube during hurricane season.
Tue Apr 24 09:28:58 2007
Gareth from Llangynin Nr St Clears
Been surfing here for 20 years the best surf in the whole of the UK. Broke plenty of boards but all part of the fun!!
Fri Nov 24 16:21:16 2006
gareth du toit from sfoot
I have to agree with Jon (morgan)?This is barrel heaven one of the steepest and heavy waves around.
Fri Sep 22 09:18:41 2006
taff cardiff
had my first ever attempt at surfing here yesterday.waves were about 3 foot, spent most time in the water than on the board but good fun gona try it again sometime.
Mon Sep 4 09:06:34 2006
Alex M from Cardiff
Went there last weekend and was totally disappointed. Not that I was expecting great surf, but it was like a mill pond! Ho hum, will have to go another time to see the real Broadhaven South.
Thu Aug 17 09:17:50 2006
Andre Botha, South Africa
Been bodyboarding here once in winter when i went on a trip with a friends to find the best bb spots in the UK. Great 15 footers the day we went. Got some monsterous airs.
Fri Aug 4 10:47:45 2006
Paul Pedersen
nice swell, very clean on good days but has no sharks and lacks the power of the south atlantic and indian ocean (Llandudno and Cave rock, South Africa)
Fri Apr 21 10:24:20 2006
pembs local
nice spot, but if your unexpereanced when its big dont surf hear if you value your life!
Fri Mar 17 13:01:44 2006
Ian Jones, Bridgend
Thinkinn of staying in a cottage in litlle haven and looking for places to surf round there! sounds like i found my place! wicked
Wed Mar 8 17:03:06 2006
Mark. Esperance
Love surfing this place,good fun wave that can sometimes give you a reality check.
Tue Jan 17 06:15:25 2006
Tom - local
I live in Tenby and normally surf Fresh West or Manorbier but I fancied a change but I nearly died and snaped my new jp - hate it.
Sun Oct 2 16:09:26 2005
Stuart Laidlaw
I surfed it 1 ft and onshore, it was all time. Pulled an air 360 over a pod of dolphins.
Fri Sep 30 18:03:15 2005
Cat from Cardiff
We bodyboarded here in hurricane Charlie-amazing power, but where has the surf gone this year?!To John in Bosherston- don't be mean to bodyboarders, we probably all started on B-Bs and they have their uses.
Sat Aug 27 23:03:00 2005
Mod
Had it to myself for six weeks in 1988 I'll never go there again too busy, makes me sick why can't they just keep it quiet, sign of the times I suppose.
Fri Aug 26 22:38:32 2005
Luke Aberystwyth
I've surfed 10-12 feet waves there.
Thu Jul 14 19:12:56 2005
John from Bosherston
This place rips!!!!
I don't want a bad word said about it.
You can fit tanks in those barrels on a big day, but always expect a mouthfull of sand. As for bodyboarders their not overly loved!!!
Sun May 15 14:32:06 2005
Mal, Pembs
I nearly died.
Wed Apr 13 10:39:05 2005
Minimouse
I really luv the waves here the current isn't too strong and the waves are perfect. It can take time to learn to stand up here but it is also really good for body boarders at high tide.
Wed Jan 26 20:59:28 2005
Pembs local
I surfed here once and it was a solid 6-8ft. Best session of my life. Would not recommend it to an inexperienced surfer.
Sat Dec 4 17:52:25 2004
Pembs lad
Leave it to the bodyboarders - they rule!!!!
Wed Sep 29 11:27:50 2004
Alex Grigo from Wales
The waves are very heavy and strong but also very clean but vert so if you can not stand up immediately when you catch the wave, pull back from it as you could seriously damage your board e.g breaking your nose as experienced.
Tue Aug 17 12:25:23 2004
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