Porthcawl Point
Porthcawl Point--known locally as The Peak--is South Wales' most iconic wave. This reef/point setup breaks best at high tide.
Porthcawl Point surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 260°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 13s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Offshore range
- 0° - 80°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- high
Water temp
12°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
7/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Porthcawl Point?
Porthcawl Point is a reef break in South Wales, UK, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Porthcawl Point?
Porthcawl Point picks up swell from the SSW round to the W, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.7 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 13s or longer, as anything under 9s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Porthcawl Point?
A NE wind is dead offshore at Porthcawl Point, and anything from the N round to the E keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Porthcawl Point?
Porthcawl Point is at its best around high tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Porthcawl Point?
The most reliable run of swell at Porthcawl Point comes Sep to Mar. There's a second window in Apr to May and Aug too.
How cold is the water at Porthcawl Point?
The water at Porthcawl Point averages around 12°C, so you'll want a 5/4mm with boots. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Porthcawl Point good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Sea wall and rocks present danger. Gets very crowded when good. Water quality concerns after heavy rain.
How do I get to Porthcawl Point?
The nearest airport on our list is BRS, then it's roughly a one-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near Porthcawl Point?
The closest breaks we track are Rest Bay (1.5 km), Sandy Bay (16 km) and Three Peaks (20 km), handy when Porthcawl Point isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, May, Aug
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Rest Bay
Porthcawl's most consistent - All abilities - Rapidly changing tides
Sandy Bay
Welsh wedge • Bristol Channel pulse • Tide-critical bodyboard wave
Three Peaks
Gower's powerful reef - A-frame peaks - Best at high tide
Crab Island
Gower reef break - Needs size to fire - Sharp reef
Pete's Reef
Gower's shallow reef - Low tide specialist - Sharp and technical
Lynmouth
Devon's fickle left point - Cliff access only - Needs size to fire