Whitesands
The beach of St Davids, the UK's smallest city, with easy peaks and a long tradition.
Whitesands is a sandy bay next to St Davids, at the western tip of Pembrokeshire. It has easy waves for several levels and is one of the beaches with the longest surf tradition in Wales.
At low tide rocks appear in some areas.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | W, SW, NW |
| Best wind (offshore) | E, NE, SE |
| Tide | Mid to high |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | All year |
| 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 funboard or longboard; a shortboard in good swell. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Whitesands
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 veteran local community. Respect priority.
Surfing style
Beach break.
Hazards
Rocks at low tide and currents.
Map
Other spots nearby
Pembrokeshire
A 3 km beach in St Brides Bay, with plenty of space to learn.
Castlemartin (Pembrokeshire)
Wales' most consistent beach: powerful banks between dunes and film-set scenery.
Pembrokeshire
A cove below a Norman castle, with a reef giving rights and lefts.
Gower (Swansea)
The Gower peninsula's big beach, one of the most beautiful in the UK.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.