Hell's Mouth (Porth Neigwl)
North Wales' big beach break, a 6 km bay on the Llŷn peninsula.
Porth Neigwl, known as Hell's Mouth, is a bay of about 6 km open to the south-west on the Llŷn peninsula. It picks up south-west swell better than any other beach in north Wales.
The name comes from the shipwrecks it caused in the days of sail.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | SW, W |
| Best wind (offshore) | NE, N, E |
| Tide | All tides |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | Autumn to spring |
| Crowd | Medium |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
Loading the forecast…
Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A shortboard or funboard; a longboard in small swell. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Hell's Mouth (Porth Neigwl)
The water is around 9 °C in winter and 16 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
For winter water at 8–11 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
View on AmazonThe three-fin set for a shortboard.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
A calm vibe.
Surfing style
Beach break.
Hazards
Rip currents.
Map
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Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.