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Whitesands

Whitesands image by Adam Pitters

Last updated: 31 October 2007

Daily surf report available from
Ma Simes surf shop

A popular spot for most surfers visiting Newgale, it's generally a little more sheltered due to Ramsey Island blocking some of the swell. The bay at high tide becomes pretty small and can attract a crowdon good days.

I've seen some big, meaty swells coming in here over the years though and it has been known to hold up to 10ft.

Try and surf it mid to high tide if posible. The take off is normally towards the right hand side of the beach but varies with the tide and which sandbanks are working at the time. There have been some classic days here over the last couple of years with big gaping barrels and offshore winds.

a rare left

The rips here tend to drag you towards the rocks so be aware of them but you can also use them to get out the back quicker on big days.

You can park up right next to the beach here and check the waves but you do have to pay for the privilege in summer.

There are plenty of facilities close by including campsites and St Davids is just down the road where you can buy surf equipment at 'Ma Simes'. If it's too heavy for you at this beach, try Newgale down the road where the waves are alot gentler.


your comments

Martin of London
Lovely beach with good surf, spectacular walks, nice cafe with good food and a great shop with everything you need.
Mon Mar 31 10:22:58 2008

Gracie
Wow awesome surf! Stunning beach! Amazing sunset! What more could I want? Great beach.
Fri Feb 15 09:51:23 2008

Roy Frowen from Cardiff.
Best surf in Pembrokshire. St David's has it all. Great walks, surf and great locals who make you so welcome. WEST IS BEST.
Fri Dec 14 11:02:29 2007

Helen Wigan via Bolton
Got back yesterday - wish I was still there.
Thu Aug 9 09:17:35 2007

Ted Smith from Romsey
Me and my friends go down to Whitesands as much as we possibly can. The surf is usually sick and the rock jumping is insane at the blue lagoon. Going back in a week can't wait
Mon Jul 16 11:49:31 2007

gary , london
Hi. Can anyone help - can you jet ski at Whitesands?
Fri Jun 1 16:30:16 2007

gary , london
hi can anyone help can you jet ski at white sands?
Thu May 31 09:33:41 2007

Joel from Cardiff
Amazing time down St Davids, been there twice now coastering, great jumps in the Blue Lagoon.
Wed Mar 7 09:10:11 2007

Hannah from Wiltshire
This is the best place ever to surf we go about 3 times a year because it's so good all the people there are very nice and esy to make friends with (I have many) you can always rely on it and it is just amazing!! Love you to all the Pothmawr Club and surf lifegards there!!!
Mon Mar 5 15:25:48 2007

George Black
I have a house in St Davids but live in London my family have been going down to White Sands for 40 years its a great beach to relax and surf on.
Wed Jan 31 08:58:18 2007

Lisa and Cerys...Bridgend!!
Whitesands is an awsum beach! The best we have ever been 2! Also Newgale is good! Can't wait 2 cum back in the summer! XXX
Tue Dec 19 14:13:05 2006

Hannah From Hereford
Whitesands is the most awesome place ever. I want to know when this annual beach party is though :)
Mon Dec 4 13:21:36 2006

Damian Jones, Cardiff
Anybody on the Pontygain/Abereiddy/Whitesands coast yesterday (27/11/06)? The waves were immense !! The biggest I've seen anywhere (including Margaret River in Western Australia).
Tue Nov 28 16:11:41 2006

Scene from St,ds
for many years summer surfing at w/sands was not complete with out the annual beach party,1986-2002,but then nothing for a few years, then when a couple'a locals started them up again, it wasn't up to much, Don't despair keep surfing down there at whitesands and who knows?? see you next year 07 !! xxx
Mon Nov 27 09:16:46 2006

Jess From Bridgend!!!
Love it there!! seriously if you havnt been u dont know what ur missing out on, it is soo much fun!! love it cant wait till i go down ther next!! surf aint been that great this year but its been k! the beach isnt over rated seriously its good! xxxx
Thu Sep 21 08:50:29 2006

Tim from Nottinghamn
Whens this beach party please?
Tue Jul 25 08:56:07 2006

Hannah, Pont y pridd
i want to go back!!!!!! i went to broad haven with my school for the weekend and came home wishing i was still there!!! i loved coasteering and surfing! thanks TYF for the chance to do all that, wished we could have stayed longer!
Tue Jul 11 09:24:46 2006

Nikki from St.Davids
I have been to many different beaches all over the world and can honestly say that Whitesands is the best beach out of the lot! Campsite is practically on the beach. The Farmers(about 2 miles from the Whitesands) is a great pub with an outside bar open in the summer, great atmospher.
Fri Jun 9 13:38:39 2006

Rich Preston, Shrewsbury
Looking to revisit Whitesands For the first time in ten years. Best Part now is i'm an obvious ten years older. What time of the year is the annual beach party? Does anyone also know of the best campites?
Tue May 16 09:10:23 2006

moss local surfer
been surfing here for a year now cant get many better beaches i agree that newgale ROCKS as well though. does get way over crowded
Tue May 16 09:10:06 2006

Liv Rees, Pembs
Awesome, just great. Went there on sunday, waves were small but fun. Definitely recommend this spot. Loved it so much, I'm taking a few mates camping down there next week.
Tue Apr 18 14:37:24 2006

Rob Deveau, Devon
Whitesands is lush! Nice beach and the surf is ace most of the time! Nite life in St Davids is kool down the old rugby club! Wud def recomend it!
Mon Apr 10 10:39:50 2006

mike
surfed hear end of last week, was freezing. i find the waves 2 dumbpy hear for my bic, better off with a short board, was gd though. atleast this time of the year there is nowone jamimg up the surf doming and gettimg in the way.ahh
Fri Mar 17 12:58:20 2006

adam localish
waves are good normaly better than newgaleget lifegaurds at fresh west
Fri Jan 27 23:09:49 2006

Tobe from Hereford
Whitesands not bad, but often crowded in summer,u wana try Newgale, no crowds there!
Thu Jan 5 10:51:53 2006

DJL
Wow there. Doming is'nt a bad thing. You must remember Doming is about sitting out back on your board and feeling the motion of the sea. U don't take waves because you Dom when no swell is to be had. Whitesands is too crowded tho. lol
Fri Dec 9 18:13:06 2005

Jordan Willz Narberth AFC
the waves are awsum go down there every summer!
Tue Dec 6 13:47:19 2005

mike st nick
way too crowded way too many people doming which genuraly makes it hard to get a wave especualy at the elevator
Fri Nov 18 19:46:04 2005

Charlie- Fishguard
Had my first barrel here. Still too crowded.
Mon Nov 14 18:14:35 2005

Charlie
I find the waves at whitesands over rated and way to crowded. Some days its impossible to get a wave at the elevator. There are lots of breaks that are better and far less crowded. However it is really clean and a beautiful setting.
Mon Nov 14 11:52:30 2005

Phillip Grant Caerphilly
Went there years ago and it was the best beach ever been to. Water is lovely and clean, recommend anyone to go there even if your not going to surf, taking up surfing this year so look out gonna be wiping out loads of good surfers sorry ha.
Fri Oct 28 14:46:06 2005

Alfie, Ceredigion
Pretty good waves but I've seen better.
Sat Oct 1 14:29:18 2005

Bob Ricci, London
Very good.
Tue Sep 20 15:31:13 2005

Mathias
White Sands is good surf spot, I reckon the best in Wales throws a great annual beach party as well. I have travelled the world and surfed most places but I still like good old Pembrokeshire surf - can't beat it. Hello every one in St Davids its Gareth Mathias here I'm in Iraq at the moment home soon, see you all in about 6 months from Gazzzzzzzzzz.
Tue Sep 20 02:07:57 2005

Jema cute Newport Pagnell
Hey. I love surfing it rules, I'm the best in my surfing unit, down by Olney! I go to all the surfing games and hope to be in them when I reach 16!! Love Jema! xxx
Mon Sep 19 21:00:50 2005

DJA, Pembs
I go over to Abereiddi to jump the stacks at the Blue Lagoon when there's no surf at Whitesands. It's a smaller beach, and when the surf goes off there at mid - low tide, it can be pretty big! Nice ride on LH side by the rocks.... Nobody dropping in on you either in the summer like at Whitesands!
Tue Sep 6 19:26:34 2005

Farmer Giles, Pembs
Great surf - just don't go near the place during August - way too crowded! There are much better places to surf in Pembs if u can find 'em but that would be telling now, wouldn't it?
Tue Sep 6 19:04:35 2005

Joe Cardiff
The only problem is there isn't any transport from Cardiff to St. Davids that will take surfboards.
Sun Aug 28 16:27:06 2005

Jess Bricknell from Herefordshire
I had my first surfing lesson at Whitesands, with Whitesands Surf School, and it was awesome! Our teacher Alice was really great, so anyone who knows her please tell her she's the best! Can't wait to surf again, Whitesands was great!
Fri Aug 26 12:28:55 2005

Charlie Shoults from Buxton
The surf is great, best place in the world I've been from 1 years old.
Wed Aug 10 11:51:15 2005

Matt from Guildford in England
I've been surfing since I was 7 and I'm 12 now and this has been the best location I've ever been to!!!!
Tue Aug 9 10:05:14 2005

Dan
@ Jenny. 20 minute walk? There are campsites right on the beach virtually, and there's a nice close one for caravans about 5 minutes away.:)
Wed Aug 3 19:49:03 2005

Jenny from Manchester
Only 20 min walk from my campsite so no pay for parking. Big waves n cleanest water I've seen. Nice short walk up hill, where u can see another cove. Liked it so much we came bk off holiday and went bk 3wks after.
Tue Aug 2 14:25:09 2005

Joe and Beth, Penkridge
Fantastic beach we're going again this year and next and next and next.......If mum and dad will take us!! Best beach for us kids loads of fun!
Fri Jul 29 09:17:50 2005

James, Birmingham
Didn't actually surf here. Great beach though, was climbing around Porthclais, and St. Davids.
Mon Jul 25 18:57:02 2005

Johnston`s from Leeds
Please don't go telling the world about Whitesands keep it a secret.
Mon Jul 18 22:49:16 2005

Chris Smith from Brentwood
The best beach for surfing, I'm only 10 but I loved it surfing with all the other dudes on the beach. I loved it, going to go there every year now, {if mum lets me!}
Sat Jul 16 13:56:48 2005

Dan Thomas from Barry
Whitesands bay is my favourite place in the whole world. The surf is amazing, watching everyone playing on the bitches is amazing. The surf is friendly and the locals are mainly all surfers/kayakers too!!! Recommend to anyone.
Fri Jul 1 10:17:46 2005

Jack, Cardiff
Wicked surf, died and gone to heaven,what a place.
Sat Jun 18 12:56:57 2005

John from Reading
Love it .. had loads of fun there...down next week so watch it go flat :-)
Thu Jun 16 19:48:24 2005

Sparky, Treforest
St Davids Rocks
Blue Lagoon Rocks
Farmers arms rocks
Whitesands rocks
Porthclais Fishing rocks
Caravans rock

Just got back from my first St. Davids trip of the year (no surf this weekend though, bummer,)but you can still chuck on the wet suit and go jumping the stacks at Blue Lagoon, Abereiddi,(watch out for the sea snakes though!!!!)

Peace to all.
Tue Jun 14 11:21:49 2005

Yvonne from Blackburn
Loved it so much last year, am taking my sister next week. Excellent beach, can't wait to play!!!
Tue Jun 14 10:31:49 2005

tez liverpool uni
im going this week for 5 days its gonna be great just finished uni so its gonna get messy hope the waves dont though
Sat May 21 12:12:08 2005

Shelley - Gloucester
My favourite place!!
Mon Apr 11 16:20:43 2005

Rob Morgan
Hey George from Llanddewi Brefi - are you the only gay surfer in the village?
Wed Mar 23 14:25:11 2005

Drewid, Newport
Top draw not very often flat, great wave for the plank. No locals only rubbish going on, Oh those summers days. Best water quality in the land, no sea nannys in this town......best pub the Farmers, St Davids.....happy surfing.
Wed Mar 23 10:34:07 2005

Keshni from Presteigne, Wales
I've never been surfin, but I am hoping 2 go this yr, and it looks wicked! Anyone got any tips 4 a beginner?
Wed Mar 16 17:43:19 2005

Bethan from Methyr
Is the greatest ever surfin'!!!!
Fri Feb 25 10:26:14 2005

Mark, Cardiff
I surfed at Whitesands with TYF - awesome.
Wed Feb 23 15:26:42 2005

Lisa from Trecwn
WHITESANDS bay is the best in Pembs....and the best in the world. i dont swim or surf, just like to walk out to my neck in the summer or stand and watch the waves break in the winter. ITS THE BEST BEACH 4 KIDS TOO...AND ITS SAFE !!!!
Thu Feb 17 23:13:46 2005

George from Llanddewibrefi
Awesome waves, rowded in summer so quite dangerous. Waves get up 2 over 8ft very often. Nice clean beach quite small but so wicked!
Sat Feb 12 15:33:11 2005

Mark, Cardiff
Nice clean water, and a very nice wave when it's clean. Does get very crouded in the summer though. Get there early before the rest of the people get up and clog the car park.
Mon Jan 17 14:40:50 2005

Jess
Best beach ever!
Wed Jan 12 20:03:52 2005

Tom, St.Davids
I learnt to surf at Whitesands and it's great!!!!!!!!!!!
Thu Dec 23 16:33:54 2004

John, Nottingham
Don't tell anyone else about Whitesands - let them all go to Cornwall!
Tue Dec 21 16:24:04 2004

Declan from Bedford
Pencarnan above the next cove is a campsite with it's own beach and 5 mins walk from Whitesands. Whitesands is good for bodyboarding too.
Mon Nov 22 17:11:35 2004

Kerry from Cardiff
Caerfai Bay campsite is the best in St Davids, right next to beach, gorgeous views too!
Tue Oct 26 13:21:12 2004

Davydd from Llanelli
When would it be a good time for me to go down for a couple of days? Thanks very much.
Sun Oct 24 18:17:27 2004

Mole ,Spalding Lincs
One of the best beaches any where in the UK .Clean and powerful at right time, the Sloop Inn at Porthgain down the road is great for beers afterwards. Any spongers out there going down there next week see you there or at Newgale.To Will you could try The Farmers Arms in St Davids for beers if you to blend with the locals.
Thu Oct 14 17:48:51 2004

Hursty From Cardiff
Looking to come down this weekend, catch sum swells. Ne 1 got any good places for campin??
Mon Oct 11 10:49:12 2004

Yoann from France (landes!!!)
A good spot... Not like in france but good waves!!! Longboard!!!
Tue Sep 21 14:13:38 2004

Nick Johnson from Preston
Been a while since I have been there, on a par with beaches in Cornwall if not better and cleaner!! I have an enduring image of my 6'6'' father getting knocked for a six by a beauty of a wave. It was funny then and funny now.
Tue Sep 14 19:58:07 2004

Aled, Aberarth
Ye cool, ye totally the best.
Tue Aug 10 19:34:12 2004

Tom from Wimborne in Dorset
Great beach, amazing surf, smashing day out!!
Wed Aug 4 19:36:59 2004

Will from Cardiff
I've just started surfing and am heading down St.Davids this weekend. Does anyone know of good campsites to stay at quite close to the beach? Are the campsites busy so need to book? Also are there any good pubs for the evening? Thanks!
Wed Aug 4 09:36:28 2004

Bradley from Wimborne in Dorset
The water is the cleanest around!
Tue Aug 3 19:06:16 2004

Sisi
Waves are really great and even if you are a novice you can still have great fun.
Mon Aug 2 15:11:10 2004

Dan from St.Davids
Its the best! !
Sun Jul 25 19:11:13 2004

Katy from St.Davids
Whitesands is the best! Going down there in an hour!
Wed Jun 30 13:35:35 2004

Luke Burton from Cwmbran
The waves are amazing at high tide.
Wed Jun 23 10:43:40 2004

Rob, Ruthin
Nice longboard wave. Have enjoyed many years pitching the tent within walking distance of sunset sessions. Elevator's good fun on a fish too.
Thu Jun 17 16:46:50 2004

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