The Cribbar
The Cribbar is England's answer to big wave surfing--a monstrous reef that lurks off Towan Head in Newquay, only awakening when massive Atlantic storms send long-period groundswell crashing into the Cornish coast. It breaks a handful of times per year at best.
The Cribbar surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WSW (250°)
- Direction range
- 225° - 280°
- Size range
- 4.5m - 15m
- Ideal size
- 7.1m - 10.2m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 18s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (135°)
- Offshore range
- 90° - 180°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low
Water temp
13°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
10/10
Crowd level
1/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is The Cribbar?
The Cribbar is a big-wave spot in Newquay, Cornwall, UK, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at The Cribbar?
The Cribbar picks up swell from the SW round to the W, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WSW. It starts working at around 4.5m and keeps going up to about 15m, with the sweet spot around 7.1 to 10.2m. Period matters too: aim for 18s or longer, as anything under 14s 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 The Cribbar?
A SE wind is dead offshore at The Cribbar, and anything from the E round to the S 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 The Cribbar?
The Cribbar is at its best around low tide.
When is the best time of year to surf The Cribbar?
The most reliable run of swell at The Cribbar comes Oct to Feb. There's a second window in Mar too. Breaks a handful of times per year during major storms.
How cold is the water at The Cribbar?
The water at The Cribbar 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 The Cribbar good for beginners?
No. As a big-wave spot, it's strictly for experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Extremely powerful big wave. Breaks far offshore over reef. Long holddowns in cold water. Spring tides only.
How do I get to The Cribbar?
The nearest airport on our list is NQY, then it's roughly a 5-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near The Cribbar?
The closest breaks we track are Fistral Beach (0.2 km), Little Fistral (0.4 km) and Tolcarne Wedge (1.2 km), handy when The Cribbar isn't working. We track 4 spots around Newquay, Cornwall in total.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Mar
Breaks a handful of times per year during major storms
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Fistral Beach
England's surfing capital - Year-round waves - Ground zero for UK surf
Little Fistral
South Fistral reef - More technical than main beach - Local knowledge rewarded
Tolcarne Wedge
Newquay wedge • Bodyboard barrel window • Tide-sensitive setup
The Zorba
Cornwall's un-ridden big wave - Pentire reef - Last frontier
St Agnes
Cornish village vibes - Reef and beach mix - Strong local crew
Porthtowan
Punchy Cornwall beach - Hollow low tide peaks - Cliff-flanked cove
Plan a trip around The Cribbar
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