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Paddleboarders and a dinghy under sail on Abersoch Bay

On the Water

A sheltered bay for sailing, paddleboarding and windsurfing, open surf at Hell's Mouth, and boat trips out to St Tudwal's.

Abersoch Bay is a sheltered beach, popular for sailing, paddleboarding and windsurfing. It is the sheltered, beginner-friendly end of this coast, and a motor boat exclusion zone on the bay keeps bathers safe.

West of the village, Porth Neigwl — Hell's Mouth — takes the swell. It has among the best and most consistent waves in North Wales, and it is where surf lessons usually run.

East, Porth Ceiriad is the sheltered option: south-facing and very sheltered, National Trust land, with surf at its best around mid to high tide.

Which spot for which sport

Porth Neigwl

Hell's Mouth

Sports suited

Surfing · Kitesurfing

Who it suits
Intermediate and advanced surfers confident in open water
Best conditions
  • South-west facing
  • Pebbly at high tide, with large expanses of sand at low tide
Lifeguard
Not lifeguarded
Facilities
  • Limited parking
SurfingKitesurf & WindsurfBest Beaches guide

Pick a discipline

Surfing

Waves at Porth Neigwl and Porth Ceiriad.

6 providersExplore

Sailing

Dinghy and keelboat sailing on the bay.

3 providersExplore

Wakeboarding & Waterski

Towed sports on Abersoch Bay.

1 providerExplore

Kitesurf & Windsurf

Windsurfing on the bay, kitesurfing at Hell's Mouth.

2 providersExplore

Foiling

E-foiling and wing foiling on the bay.

2 providersExplore

Paddleboarding & Kayaking

Flat water on the bay, kayaking at Porth Ceiriad.

6 providersExplore

Boat Trips & Wildlife

Cruises across the bay, past St Tudwal's and along the coast.

2 providersExplore

Safety

Rip currents, lifeguard status and the RNLI station.

Explore

On the calendar

  • Abersoch Regatta

    Founded 1888

    One of the few remaining village regattas not taken over by the local sailing club, with an annual raft race. Its sailing open weeks fill out the calendar from late July onwards.

  • Dinghy Week

    Last week of July

    SCYC open week, with morning and afternoon fleets.

  • Mirror Week

    Third week of August

    SCYC open week.

  • Keelboat Week

    Last week of August

    SCYC open week.

  • New Year's Day dip

    Annual, 1 January

    A New Year's Day tradition in the village.

  • Wakestock

    2000–2014

    Past. A wakeboard contest with a festival attached, run in and around Abersoch.

A note on safety

Porth Neigwl — Hell's Mouth — is not lifeguarded, and is known for strong rip currents and shifting sandbars. Abersoch's RNLI inshore lifeboat station has been established since 1965.

Read the safety page

Common questions

Where should a beginner start?
Abersoch Bay. It is the sheltered, beginner-friendly end of this coast. On big swell days Porth Ceiriad is not for beginners, and Porth Neigwl suits intermediate and advanced surfers who are confident in open water.
Is Hell's Mouth lifeguarded?
No. Porth Neigwl is not lifeguarded, and is known for strong rip currents and shifting sandbars.
Where do surf lessons run?
Surf lessons from Abersoch Watersports, Offaxis and West Coast Surf Shop usually take place at Porth Neigwl — Hell's Mouth.
How long has the regatta been running?
The Abersoch Regatta was founded in 1888. It is one of the few remaining village regattas not taken over by the local sailing club, it includes an annual raft race, and its sailing open weeks fill out the calendar from late July onwards.
Will I see dolphins on a boat trip?
There is a chance of it. RIB sightseeing trips take in Abersoch Bay, St Tudwal's Islands and Porth Ceiriad, and offer the chance of seeing dolphins and porpoises.