Sandy Bay
Sandy Bay at Llantwit Major is a Welsh bodyboard and surf wedge that wakes up when Bristol Channel energy meets the right tide and bank shape. The wave is fickle, short and powerful, with local knowledge making a big difference. Treat the pin and conditions as a starting point and check the tide carefully before committing.
Sandy Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (235°)
- Direction range
- 210° - 260°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNE (20°)
- Offshore range
- 0° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
13°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Bottom
Mixed
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
3/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Sandy Bay?
Sandy Bay is a reef break in Llantwit Major, UK, with peaks that run both left and right. It's also a renowned bodyboarding wave.
What swell works best at Sandy Bay?
Sandy Bay 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 0.9m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s 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 Sandy Bay?
A NNE wind is dead offshore at Sandy Bay, and anything from the N round to the NE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to midday. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Sandy Bay?
Sandy Bay is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Sandy Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Sandy Bay comes Sep to Mar.
How cold is the water at Sandy Bay?
The water at Sandy Bay averages around 13°C, so you'll want a 4/3mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Sandy Bay good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Rock platform. Bristol Channel funnels swell.
How do I get to Sandy Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is CWL, then it's roughly a 30-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Sandy Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Porthcawl Point (16 km), Rest Bay (17 km) and Lynmouth (28 km), handy when Sandy Bay isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Porthcawl Point
South Wales' most popular - High tide specialist - Sea wall barrels
Rest Bay
Porthcawl's most consistent - All abilities - Rapidly changing tides
Lynmouth
Devon's fickle left point - Cliff access only - Needs size to fire
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