Manorbier
A cove below a Norman castle, with a reef giving rights and lefts.
Manorbier is a cove on Pembrokeshire's south coast, below a 12th-century castle. It has a reef with rights and lefts that works with a south-west swell and a northerly wind.
It's the option when a westerly wind ruins the west-coast beaches.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Reef |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Best swell | SW, S, W |
| Best wind (offshore) | N, NW, NE |
| Tide | Mid |
| Size | 0.8–2 m |
| Best season | Autumn to spring |
| Crowd | Medium |
| Localism | Medium |
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 longboard. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Manorbier
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 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 AmazonSeal a ding on the spot and keep surfing.
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 regular local crew. Respect priority.
Surfing style
Reef waves.
Hazards
Rocks.
Map
Other spots nearby
Castlemartin (Pembrokeshire)
Wales' most consistent beach: powerful banks between dunes and film-set scenery.
Pembrokeshire
A 3 km beach in St Brides Bay, with plenty of space to learn.
Gower (Swansea)
The Gower peninsula's big beach, one of the most beautiful in the UK.
St Davids (Pembrokeshire)
The beach of St Davids, the UK's smallest city, with easy peaks and a long tradition.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.