When it's big, most people surf elsewhere or hit the reef in the middle of the bay for high tide. The rip currents at this beach are it's biggest drawback.
Many a good day can be spoilt by unyielding rips dragging you off the peak in all directions so make sure you're a good paddler and keep an eye on where you're being taken.
A number of people have drowned here over the years, so do not go swimming here. On a calm, sunny day it can look very inviting but you can't see the rips beneath the surface.
Tourists continue to ignore the warning signs and all-year-round 'red flag' status and swim but don't be fooled. There have been a number of near misses, with local surfers often making the rescues.
The main beach is sand and pebbles and tends to dump onto the pebble bank at high tide. The paddle out is always taxing when the swell is big, so expect plenty of white water and duck diving and make sure you're paddle fir before taking it on.
The surfing on it's day can be as good as anywhere in the world. When the banks are lined up and the swell and wind ar ejust right, this beach fires and cover ups are common. There's plenty of beach here so spread out and thin out the pack a little if it's busy.
'Outer Reef' surf school operates from here so if you're unsure of your abilities, it's worth getting a lesson and some local knowledge before going it alone. It's high time the council provided life guard facilities here as the beach becomes more and more popular all year round.
The North end is one of the more sheltered spots depending on wind direction but beware of the 'Dale rip' - it carries the unwary out towards Dale on the other side of the Haven.
There's also very soft, fine sand 'quicksand' that you need to be aware of and the occasional weaver fish in summer that can give a painful sting if stepped on and will deliver an excrutiating, painful, burning sensation in your foot. If stepped on seek medical advice immediately. Hot water (as hot as you can stand) will help ease the pain.
The water here is in pristine condition and home to many species of birdlife, seals and fish so please respect the beach. It's become incredibly popular in recent years so if you're staying down here remember to take those beer cans out of the fire and take litter home - don't leave it in bags at the beach.
Camping in the dunes is strictly prohibited by the National Park although people do camp on the side of the road above the beach. Remember - your campsite should look like you've never been there, when you leave. Don't leave beer cans, tins, bbq's smouldering in the fire. Please take them home.
I was astounded to see that some idiots had driven 2 cars up into the dunes at the north end, above the carpark in late summer 2007 and set up camp. They damaged both vehicles trying to leave so hopefully won't come back but it does make you wonder what goes through people heads?
Don't park in the lay-bys - these have been put there for a reason, so cars can pass each other...
Facilities are basic but include toilets, car parking and there's usually a snack van selling cold snacks, drinks and ice cream van.
your comments
Jon from Carms
surfed here on two separate occasions,love the beach,im new to surfing and find this beach alot more fun that llangenith on the gower,surfed the other day at 7:30 am, had the whole beach to myself,was so chilled out afterwards and the sun came out to!!! good times
Fri Aug 1 16:38:04 2008
Dale Martin, Wiltshire
This beach is the best beach in wales. Been surfing here since i was young.always had dad or grandad at hand just incase.strong tides can catch out the strongest off swimmers here.there are signs giving advice on how to get out of trouble read these it could save your life.njoy
Fri Jul 25 15:09:28 2008
Andy
Fresh is no place for newbs - can be very gnarly indeed. Great on its day, though.
Mon Jun 30 09:55:25 2008
Mick Fanning, from Tenby
Sick surf spot, middle bay at low tide has the nicest lefts going RRRRUH
Thu Apr 3 10:23:37 2008
Caroline Cox (Kitts) original Pembroke Babe
I love Freshwater West it's stunning. The power of the waves and the isolated dunes and beach make this a perfect hideaway. Whenever I'm at home I always make an effort to get down to the beach and I lose myself for a moment, gather my thoughts and reflect on life. Freshwater West is my escape, my sanctuary, my home.
Tue Nov 20 14:20:20 2007
Fernando Jarabo, Tenerife
Beautiful place, beautiful surfing, beautiful memories.
Thu Oct 18 11:48:02 2007
Nigs, Shrewsbury
Surfed at Freshwater West on Thursday last week. Hadn't heard about the rip, BELIEVE ME, it's real and scary. If you're a novice (as I am) my advice is treat with serious caution. The surf was BIG though, best wave I've seen in Wales. Thanks to a couple of locals who helped me out.
Mon Jun 4 16:01:18 2007
julian london
My name is Julian I'm from France and I'm living in London right now. I'm planning to surf this winter with my friend but I don't know where to go, where to stay, and where to rent boards.....could you please help me?
Fri Oct 20 10:14:28 2006
Aberporth local
bangin spot, shame abou the rip though. as long as ur sensible u wont get taken out unlike my mate last year who i had to rescue. good fun though. surfed it on the far left the other day = awsome.
bye bye
Thu Oct 5 14:14:55 2006
aled from aberarth
Nearly got eaten by sum sort of big shark! This is no joke!
Fri Sep 15 10:28:32 2006
Bear Queensland
Lots of good memories of Fresh'W/Frainslake from back in the 70s. Kombi overnight up the hill, woken by mates in the morning to go in, leaving wife to sleep in. She'd have breakfast ready when we came back. Fire from driftwood in the evenings & couple of bottles...Quite a few times had good waves when the guys back in Porthcawl area had nothing.
Mon Aug 7 10:52:42 2006
barry chuckle
The surf at fresh was great, but Paul and me got caught in a naughty rip and ended up crab fishin in the rock pools!
To me, to you!
Wed Jul 19 14:25:42 2006
chris corrigan cardiff
Re Fresh West, I can confirm the danger to swimmers from personal experience. Last September (no board) I was up to my lower waist and felt safe. Then suddenly found myself out of my depth in big surf. There are deep, wide hollows in the sand midway up the beach. Warnings should be much bigger and numerous.
Fri Jul 7 09:07:52 2006
lilly williams
Ive just bought a new board im 14 and i went in fresh for my first time and it was amazing. i need surf shes tho because i cut my foot. surf sounds good on the weekend. i will be down there. cya byebyebyebyebye..........
Fri Jul 7 09:00:05 2006
Mark J & Richard B
We have been surfing here 16 years since Andrew (Richard's Brother) pointed us in the right direction. He lent us a board called Space Gypsy we became hooked. On a 4ft off shore summers day we will surf until our passes run out & wives want us home! Space Gypsy was sent in to orbit by Derek's roof rack on Newquay 96 R.I.P.
Fri Jun 23 13:30:36 2006
Simon TF from Bristol
Much debate over the waves in Wales but to be honest some of the best i've had in this country even beating the likes of devon.
Tue Jun 6 12:35:32 2006
joe a k a mani
this is a tidy beach. sometimes the ripis a bit strong but the waves sre very powerfull when t the surf is good. i dont like it when it is 2 crowded
Thu Mar 23 10:11:09 2006
ed from llantwit south wales
i surfed some nice over head waves here 4 th feb 06... nice break... theres a camp site bot a mile away on a little farm in da nearest village... cnt remember the name soz..
Sun Mar 5 20:17:36 2006
rob brum
doesn e one no if theres n e camp sites close by????????? cheers
Mon Feb 20 09:35:02 2006
Big Jenkins ...LOCAL
surfed here today 4 da 1st time tidy waves good laugh bt i was a bit worried about the rip bt it didnt really affect me. as long as you have sumin on the beach so u no if ur moving....
Sat Feb 4 19:51:49 2006
MJP Pembs
have to disagree with what shep says! I have worked on that beach for 5 years spending all my time in that tide line
There is some nasty stuff which gets washed up on that beach but needles (thank god) are not one of those things. In 5 years there has been only one needle reported. Thats not bad going for a beach that has the ability to have over 5 tonnes of rubbish in its tide line on any given day!
Fri Jan 27 16:39:18 2006
dan conway from aberporth
this place is awsome but the rips suck,most relaxing place i've every been .
Fri Jan 27 09:40:47 2006
Shep
Fresh is a good beach but very raerely does it get that good! The beach itself is dirty, seen loads of needles while walking to the water so watch your step! I find the beach better than the reef as the reef often lacks real power/shape. Often but not always!
Thu Dec 1 10:18:39 2005
Edd llandewi
Frsh is to big for me l8ly i tried geting out in 4 foot messy conditions and it was just impossible. cant beat it on a 1-2 foot clean day though
Wed Nov 16 21:05:55 2005
zander,swansea
best beach ever
Thu Oct 27 14:28:23 2005
John Langston
I don't like surfing any more. But the beach is good to play football on!!
Fri Sep 23 12:16:14 2005
Jon Langston, Laugharne
I love Fresh its amazing! I'm entering the comp on Sat!!!! Damm rite!
Thu Sep 22 15:02:17 2005
Ashley from Langynwyd
Went on a surf trip down west last week, has to be the best swell I've surfed but on a few occasions found myself surfing ova the rock. Good 5 feet swell didnt stop me though.
Tue Aug 30 15:39:22 2005
Dixie from Oxford
Was doin' the usual 'search' mission yesterday morning (23/05) Freshwest was spittin' 2 to 3ft and was faily clean (until tide started to retreat) Got caught in the gnarly rip that takes you to the reef. So, although this spot is sweet as you like, you can't spend too long clockin' the scenery during the lulls cos it'll av ya!!!
Wed Aug 24 18:12:33 2005
Noel, full extension, gym boy
John surfs Fresh so well when it's on he carves it up big time, he's the best surfer ever, he should be on the pro tour.
Fri Aug 5 16:14:30 2005
Anne-Marie from Pembrokshire
Awesome beach one of my favorites. Had a surf lesson this week the best waves we've had for a few weeks. Very strong rip and if you don't watch before, you know it your half way down the beach, just keep your wits about you, and enjoy.
Fri Jul 29 16:24:32 2005
Boogie
Burger van at Fresh is the best in the West. What's all this fuss about waves? It's polystyrene time in two weeks, c'mon summer hols! Wish I could get a wet suit to fit.
Mon Jul 25 11:07:37 2005
Sean from Tenby
Has anybody heard of a reef right out from Fresh West called Pole, it's supposed to be a real long paddle, but there is a reef that makes a fresh wave about 5-6ft bigger! The stuff of legends - only for the hardcore!!!
Fri Jul 8 11:23:47 2005
Edd Llanddewi...........
Pembrokeshire is the place to surf, not Gower. It may be good but not as good as Fresh. And y would I want to watch you surf? Go to Fresh. Waves are so much nicer in Fresh.
Wed Jun 15 19:59:59 2005
Tommy Gun, Rhossili GOWER
Fresh West gets more pipe from surfers than any other break in the south - stop gobbin' off, pipe down and get down Llangennyth Gower and watch me rip on some world class sick as u like barrels!!!
Thu Jun 9 18:50:57 2005
Edd Llanddewi......
Ur went to fresh on the 6th of June, was pretty good.
Enjoyed it, was nice and clean and not too big.
Tue Jun 7 22:47:41 2005
Adam, v local
In regards to previous comments quite often if it's a S/W swell and it's 6ft at fistral, then it will quite often also be 6ft at fresh. Holds up to 8ft+ in the right conditions. Awesome wave all year around, be very careful of the worst rips of nearly any break in the country!
Fri May 13 20:07:13 2005
Carwyn - Llanelli
This place rips. Best beach in Wales and a rival to Fistral or Watergate. Careful of the rip out left, you don't want to be driftin out in the Irish Sea.
Enjoy.
Wed May 4 14:14:28 2005
Jack (the Gower)
I used to be a sole Gower boy as every time I visited the Pembrokeshire coast it was rubbish but my friend and I had a classic session near the stream end of the beach... then, I was converted! Next time we would like to surf the reef but feel we don't know enough about it. If anyone could give us any tips please post them here. Thank you.
Thu Mar 3 20:57:33 2005
Caz from Pembroke
Great place to go and chill out. If ya ever in a strop go on down there and you will be relieved in seconds. Its grrreeeaaattt!
Wed Mar 2 11:27:06 2005
Emma, local
Don't bother to surf the beach in the summer - people soup! Full of tourists on polystyrene body boards & rubber rings, ignoring the danger signs!
Tue Feb 8 12:31:11 2005
Minimouse
I really like the waves here but the currents can be really strong at times. It is not bad for beginners but it is more for the advanced surfers. I have just began surfing in the summer and I preferred Broadhaven South.
Wed Jan 26 21:04:15 2005
Dave, Hartlepool
How big does this place get compared to Cornwall, say it's 6 foot at Fistral will it be about 4 here?
Tue Jan 11 18:37:36 2005
Fatty Lewis
Absolute classic on its day.
Take heed though, not for the begginer on a sizeable day. Wicked rips see!!
As I work for a conservation organisation in Pembrokeshire too, please note:-
The beach and dunes are within the boundaries of the National Park, managed by the Countyside Council for Wales and owned by the National Trust.
Please respect as such - take your litter home and don't camp or light fires in the dunes!!!
Sweet, enjoy God's own!
Mon Dec 27 20:51:28 2004
Tom Pepler Pembroke
Absolutely crackin beach, best waves are to be caught on the left hand side of the beach where the rock reef really makes a difference. Also check out Dean if he's down there, truly great surfer,he also runs the surf school.
Mon Dec 20 12:22:07 2004
Jpixel from Pembs College
I love going down Fresh West to show off my ripling muscles and hairy chest. I go surfing when its good but still only mange to get to my knees, but I'm getting there!!
Fri Nov 5 13:00:19 2004
John Burgess from Neyland
I'm the best surfer from the Neyland Area and man, I love Fresh West. I cruise down there in my Silver Mazda MX-5 with the roof down and rock out with my sock out!
I have dark spikey hair and work out a lot - I am very proud of my abs!
I'm very friendly and anybody who recognises me should not be afraid to come across and say Hi!
Tue Aug 17 15:36:59 2004
Little Jon, Pembroke College
Freshy is my spot,
And I'm hot to trot.
My name is little John,
I got a chubby lob on.
Check me shred it down at F West,
All pumped in my muscle vest.
Jon Xx
Tue Aug 17 12:47:12 2004
Itchy 'ripper' Ian
Man Fresh is fresher than fresh homes. It rules there and when I'm out there whacking a lip, or whacking one off the wrist in the carpark I feel like I'm on fire. It makes me feel so strong like a bear.
Mon Aug 16 15:40:11 2004
JP from Pembrokeshire
I love Fresh, it's so cool for looking at all the goodlooking men in their tight wetsuits and the surfs not bad.
Wed Aug 11 08:50:10 2004
G from Mumbles
Treat with respect.
Rips can be massive. Not a place for beginners. Had best day ever 2 years ago, with a group of seals chasing my board down a 3' wave!
Bonza!
Thu Aug 5 15:00:35 2004
Andy, formerly of Angle, formerly of Brighton curr
Martin, get yourself down the road to Angle and stay in Pam's Field, Angle's premier canvas paradise - just ask at the shop, they'll put you on the right track. Or alternatively... no, there is no alternative.
Wed Aug 4 15:28:22 2004
Martin - Brighton
Anyone know a good stop to camp locally?
Wed Aug 4 12:59:46 2004
Star O'Dell from Maidenwells, Pembroke
Had one surf lesson with Outereef surf school at Fresh West a few weeks ago. Now I am absolutely hooked! Been catching waves at Fresh West ever since! Luckily it's been during all the nice weather - TIDY! Not too busy either - I'm stoked dudes!
Wed Jun 23 19:29:47 2004
Nathan Woods, ex Stackpole
If having parties on the island to the left of Fresh West, do not let friends wander too near the edge...
Wed Jun 23 16:54:31 2004
Rob, Ruthin
Surfed here once in enormous surf and got battered about for and hour or two. Never managed to be in the area on a good day..some of the pics of waves around here look amazing.
Thu Jun 17 16:51:11 2004
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