Not a surf beach.

Broughton needs a big swell to wrap around the headland from Llangenith beach but when conditions are right the beach (which faces north west) produces a nice left hand point break. Working best from low to mid tide and offering rides of a couple of hundred metres or more, on a good day it can get really busy here. Be careful of the strong rips present here, especially around mid-tide.

Just to the west of Burry Holms is a small beach which to my knowledge doesn’t really have a name. On days when Llangennith is 4 foot or more and the tide is about half way in you can get a lovely shaped wave in this little cove – nowhere near as big as on the main beach but the shelter here makes a big difference. If your surfing 3 peaks its often worth casting your eye this way. Just around from the head is a fairly exposed reef break known as Sheeps Jaw, it works at around low tide with its best swell direction from the west.

Llangennith is arguably the surf capital of Gower and its indicator beach. Exposed with consistent swell, it’s great for beginners so if you have never tried surfing this is the place to give it a go. There are several surfing schools providing lessons during the summer and PJs surf shop in the village opposite the Kings Head is always a good place to stop for board hire and advice. On a good day Llangenith can hold some really good waves with several peaks throwing lefts and rights along the beach. Even though this is a huge beach, its popularity can mean that it gets crowded on good days.

Although Rhossili doesn’t catch as much swell as the Llangenith (north) end of the beach, the headlands do afford some shelter from the wind and the paddle out is easier. Rhossili is a good beach for beginners, and lots of space mean that crowds are rarely a problem. There is usually a peak at all stages of the tide throwing nice lefts and rights a little north of the beach path and easy to spot on your walk down. Watch out for the remains of the Helvetia wreck in the surf at three quarters tide.

There are some very good waves to be had out on the back side of worms head but it is a spot for experienced surfers, with a 20 minute paddle or better still a boat ride. It catches lots of swell and works in the same conditions as the other Gower reefs The waves are hollow and fast with long rides, truly exceptional when its good. Take care getting here – Access is dangerous and the rocks and currents here are unforgiving. There are three main breaks, the two closer ones are safer with long rides, the farthest one breaks on a rocky slab, very shallow but often a nice shape. They work best on low tides – in fact the lowest springs throw the best shaped waves if the swell is small. The wave usually stops working before the causeway becomes covered.

A fairly constant beach break becomes a shore dump at high tide. Fall bay reef can be one of the best waves on the peninsula, producing short left handers at low tide. Best on big SW swells. NNW winds are offshore.

A fairly constant beach break when there is a large swell. There is a reef at low tide that produces an excellent wave. The bay will work well up until three quarters tide when the sea meets the cliffs and shingle bank. Take care when the surf is big – this can be a deceivingly heavy wave. Mewslade Works best on SW swells.

Sumpter’s reef sits out in the middle of Overton Mere and works best around low tide. There is an easy paddle out along the pipe in the middle of the bay. Sumpters is in quite an exposed spot but offshore winds from the north will afford some shelter. The best swell direction is from the southwest. Sumpters breaks right and can be a really excellent wave which does mean it can get busy on a good day.

Not a surf beach.

Horton is quite exposed at low tide, becoming more sheltered as the tide rises. It surfs best from mid up to nearly high tide becoming more hollow as the beach steepens. On a good day there is often a sweet point when the beach is just right to produce beautiful hollow fast waves but shortly after it can turn into a horrible sucky shore dump. Needs a big swell to work (4ft + at Llangennith.)

Reefs sitting below the low tide mark can generate some good waves here – rights and lefts when conditions are good around low tide. The reef is fairly exposed but can have quite reliable surf in winter and spring. Can become crowded when conditions are good. 

This long sandy south-east facing beach needs a massive swell (6-8ft at Llangenith) to work properly but when it does it is absolutely world class. Best at mid to high tide when you can get some beautiful hollow waves. When Oxwich works it can become quite crowded on account of all of the other breaks usually being maxed out and because word will spread like wildfire! Don’t worry though, it’s a big bay with plenty of peaks to accommodate everyone.

Tor is quite exposed at low tide becoming more sheltered as the tide rises. Best surfed from mid to high tide. There is often a nice wave close to the cliffs. I used to surf here when I was a kid, more on account of not having a car than anything else, but actually there are some good waves to be had here (and along the beach towards Crawley woods) when there is a solid swell.

Three cliffs is quite exposed at low tide but attains shelter from the cliffs as the tide rises. It surfs best from best from mid to high tide. Rips can be a problem here near to the river mouth so be careful. Most surfers park at Penmaen and walk down North Hill Lane and the steep path down to the beach, which takes around 20 minutes.

Relativly exposed beach break, best surfed in N winds and swell direction from SW. If you make the effort to come here you will probably move over to the west side of Three cliffs where the surf is invariably better.

Not a surf beach.

An exposed reef and point break with fairly inconsistent surf – best in NE winds and swell direction from SW. However, when the bay does work it can hold some pretty respectable waves but rocks are a serious hazard here and you should only venture down if you are a competent surfer.

Pwll Du is a hidden gem at the end of Bishopston Valley. It is a pebbley beach but at low tide there is plenty of sand. The bay itself is not a good surf spot (dumping at most states of tide.) The point however – known as Roaches Reef – has quite consistent surf best surfed at around mid tide in N winds (offshore) and swell direction from SW – well worth the paddle out.

Not a surfing beach.

Caswell is a fairly exposed beach break with consistent surf through out the winter. It is a great spot for beginners, with a surf school operating from here. The only minus point is that it can get quite crowded on a good day.

One of Gower’s most famous and popular surfing beaches due to the quality and variety of waves available at different levels of the tide.

Not a surfing beach.

Not a surfing beach.

Not regarded as a good surfing beach. Much of the beach is too sheltered, and when it does get surf it is generally sloppy and shapeless. That’s not to say there is never a rideable wave here, but when you are spoilt for choice by the Gower peninsula next door, there’s usually a better choice.