Newgale Surf – A Full Guide to Pembrokeshire’s Swell Magnet
Newgale surf is some of the most reliable in Pembrokeshire. The beach gets regular W swells and works all year round, but can be prone to closeouts.
An introduction to Newgale surf
Newgale is one of the most consistent spots in the whole of Pembrokeshire.
A west-facing pebble-and-sand beach that sums up the rugged beauty of West Wales with aplomb, it’s the go-to location for surf camps from St Davids all the way to Haverfordwest.
And the fact that there’s a campsite literally steps behind the beach makes it a doozy of a family option.
We’d issue a word of warning though. Winter and spring can be rough here. Like, really, really rough.
Because the beach sucks up almost any and all swell through the W channel, low-pressure storms can drive it overhead without much effort. When that happens, Newgale is a beast, with heavy bombs dropping on the outside and a paddle out that would tire Arnie.
Still, it’s a key one to know about if you’re planning a surf trip to Pembrokshire. It’s reliable, it’s kinda fun for learners when on the small side, and it’s right in the heart of the region, with more protected spots (Whitesands) to the north and more remote locations (Marloes) to the south.
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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Wales and surfing in Pembrokeshire
Newgale surf at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to Newgale surf?
Where is Newgale?
Newgale is very much the heart of Pembrokeshire. It’s tucked under the northernmost of the region’s three headlands, just a short drive from the city of St David’s, which is a great place to base yourself if you want to surf here, incidentally.
A car is very much a necessity, if only to get to Newgale in the first place! There aren’t many buses that link the town to nearby cities, and we’re guessing you’re not local if you’re reading this guide anyhow.
If you have a car, great. If not, consider renting when you arrive in the UK as that will be the best option for exploring the best search across Wales and England. We tend to use RentalCars.com becuase they have pretty generous late cancellation options most of the time.
All you need to know about the surf in Newgale
Newgale Beach is obviously the main spot here. But there are also other locations that are worth knowing within a 20-minute driving radius, mainly becuase they offer a bit more protection when that wind or swell is up.
Whitesands
Whitesands is the spot to look to during the winter when the swell is huge and the wind is high. It’s a 20-minute drive from Newgale itself through lovely country lanes. What’s great here is that the whole stretch is flanked by long arms of rock that cut the gusts out and force sets to bend and curve into the bay, losing size and shaping into decent A-frame lefts and rights as they go.
Again, it’s because it’s typically 2-4 foot smaller than Pembrokeshire’s exposed breaks, it’s very popular with the local surf schools.
Newgale Beach
This is the spot you came here for. A long, exposed beachfront runs for about 1.7 miles along the western edge of Pembrokeshire.
It’s got a hill of rounded pebbles to its back and a rugged headland protecting it to the north, which can sometimes be enough to temper winter N winds so that they don’t mess too much with the waves.
Anyway, the conditions here vary A LOT. Sometimes, you’ll find knee-high crumblers that are a perfect for learning on, which is why Newgale is a regular choice for local surf schools like Outer Reef. Other days, you’ll rock up to see 10 foot closeouts washing the whole place out. Knowing the forecast is key to catching Newgate at its best.
In our opinion that means: 2-6 foot, light easterly winds, a pushing tide.
Druidston
Remote Druidstone Beach to the south of Newgale is trickier to reach but almost always deserted. You’ll need to come on a mid low or low tide because the whole place all but disappears when the water is up. There’s parking on Welsh Road just above and the walk down takes 15 mins or so.
The wave is similar to Newgale, but less prone to closeouts and maxxing, simply because it’s a touch further south and a bit more sheltered. Still can be big and shifty, with strong rips so be warned, especially as you’re likely to be surfing here alone. Best days for us have been 2-3 foot with a log and clear as glass waters.
Broad Haven
The town of Broad Haven is a lovely. The town beach is popular with sea swimmers and surfers alike. It’s got a series of peaks that work nicely whenever there’s 3-foot+ in the forecast, but it’s usually a bit busy and generally mellower than Newgale proper. 20 mins drive to the south of Newgale this one.
Where to stay in Newgale?
As we’ve mentioned, you’ll need a car here. That’s not just to drive from break to break to chase the right swell direction, but also because most of the stays here will be a 5-10 minute drive from Newgale beach itself.
Here are some places we loooovveee…
- Victoria Inn Brewhouse B&B – Up in the little village of Roch just above Newgale, this charming Welsh tavern is exactly what you’re looking for if you want cozy and local.
- Ponderosa Beach House – Super stylish Ponderosa Beach House sits just above Newgale Beach. Great family or couples rental. And you can check the surf conditions from the balcony.
- St. Davids Cross Hotel – Remember when we said the city of St David’s was a great base for a surf trip here? Choose this one to be there, surrounded by Welsh history, old cathedrals, and fun pubs.
Surf lessons in Newgale
Newgale is a great place to do surf lessons. It’s one of the main choices for schools in the area (along with Freshwater West), who will generally drop by only if conditions are right for learners.
We can recommend…
- 2-hour Surf Lessons with Outer Reef – These guys are one of West Wales’s most trusted surf brands with a history of offering lessons for over 25 years and only ISA-qualified, lifeguard instructors.
- 2-hour Lesson with Barefoot Boardriders – Barefoot Boardriders tend to use Newgale for their lessons whenever conditions allow. They run surf session all year round, lasting two hours and including all gear and instruction. Again, teachers are ISA qualified.
When to surf in Newgale?
Newgale is so consistent it gets swell pretty much all year round, though summer tends to be better for learner surfers and winter is better for more advanced surfers.
December is ultra-reliable here, but a lot of the time the worry will be swell that’s too big, not too small. Anything above 6 foot and we think Newgale gets really heavy, and the rips turn on to make paddling a nightmare.
That’s why we think the best time to surf overall is the mid spring and fall, when the low-pressure systems that feed Newgale and Pembs with constant NW-W swell get a touch less fierce. That said, a small December day with a cold, winter E wind can hardly be beaten.
Summer can also work, but check the forecast ahead. We’ve seen it working 2-3 foot and peeling but also completely flat around June and July.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
