Porth Neigwl
Hell's Mouth
- 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
Surfing
The name and history of Hell's Mouth, waves at the north end of the beach, rip-current advice, and where to learn, hire and buy in Abersoch.
Porth Neigwl — Hell's Mouth — takes its name from its semicircular shape, resembling a wide, open mouth, and a savage south-westerly aspect that offers precious little shelter to sailors. The beach is roughly four miles long, lying between Mynydd Rhiw and Mynydd Cilan.
It has among the best and most consistent waves in North Wales, and surfers find consistently good waves especially at the north end of the beach. Behind the beach, grassy dunes form a notable sea-marsh, and the area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The bay has a history of its own. In the days of sail the strong winds made it lethal for shipping, and over 30 vessels are known to have been wrecked there. The area at the rear of the bay was used as a bombing range and practice area for airmen, and the site was decommissioned in 1945. Offaxis — formerly A.O.A. — was started on the main beach in Abersoch in 1996, as Abersoch Ocean Adventures, offering tuition in waterskiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing and surfing.
Where to do it
Porth Ceiriad
- Who it suits
- Not for beginners on big swell days
- Best conditions
- Surf at its best around mid to high tide
- Facilities
- National Trust land
- Reached from the Wales Coast Path near Bwlchtocyn
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed all year
Learn, hire and buy
Good to know
- Surf lessons usually take place at Porth Neigwl. They come from Abersoch Watersports, OFFAXIS and West Coast Surf Shop, whose school at Hell's Mouth runs from May until November.
- The Porth Neigwl beach safety notice warns of strong currents and large breaking waves, and of a steep shelving beach with deep water at high tide.
- Porth Neigwl is not lifeguarded, and is known for strong rip currents and shifting sandbars. It suits intermediate and advanced surfers who are confident in open water.
- If you are caught in a rip current, do not swim against it. If you can stand, wade. Swim parallel to the shore until you are free, then head for shore, and raise a hand and shout for help.
- On big swell days, Porth Ceiriad is not for beginners, and its surf is best around mid to high tide. Dogs are allowed there all year.
Common questions
- Where is the best surf at Hell's Mouth?
- Surfers find consistently good waves, especially at the north end of the beach.
- Why is it called Hell's Mouth?
- The name is based on its semicircular shape, resembling a wide, open mouth, and a south-westerly aspect that offers precious little shelter to sailors. In the days of sail the bay was lethal for shipping, and over 30 vessels are known to have been wrecked there, giving it a reputation as a ships' graveyard.
- Where do surf lessons run?
- Usually at Porth Neigwl. They come from Abersoch Watersports, OFFAXIS and West Coast Surf Shop, whose school at Hell's Mouth runs from May until November.
- What should I do if I am caught in a rip current?
- Do not swim against it. If you can stand, wade. Swim parallel to the shore until you are free, then head for shore, and raise a hand and shout for help. If you are struggling, Float to Live: tilt your head back with your ears submerged, relax and control your breathing, and move your hands and legs to stay afloat.
- Is Hell's Mouth suitable for beginners?
- It suits intermediate and advanced surfers who are confident in open water. It is not lifeguarded, and is known for strong rip currents and shifting sandbars.