Kimmeridge Bay

Kimmeridge · Devon and the south coast · United Kingdom

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Kimmeridge Bay is a wild bay on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, lined with flat rock ledges that make it the best-known reef area on the south coast of England. There are three main spots: the Ledges under the eastern cliffs, waves in the middle of the bay, and Broad Bench on the west side. On the Ledges, the lefts are long and soft. The rights hit harder and get more hollow, and they can run a long way into the bay.

Level
Advanced
Break
Reef break, rock
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Busy
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard; something with more volume for the long lefts on the Ledges.

When it works

✓ A 1–2.5 m south-west swell with a northerly or north-easterly wind, around mid tide.

When it doesn't

✕ Southerly and westerly winds, and small swells, which don't get over the ledges.

Watch out for

  • reef
  • rocks
  • rips

Best months

October, November, December, January, February, March

Local tips

The Ledges are a long paddle away. Start on the left side of the car park and stay close to the cliff as you go out. A rip runs on the right side of the peak. Sources differ on the best tide, so watch it first. Broad Bench lies inside the Ministry of Defence firing range and can only be reached when the ranges are open to the public.

Getting there

You pay a toll at the entrance to a private road. It ends at a car park about a minute from the slipway.

Travel notes

How often it works
It needs a good south-west swell, because Purbeck is sheltered from most Atlantic swells, so it breaks mostly in autumn and winter; when it is on, it can be the best wave on this coast.
Crowd and vibe
Quiet in the week; busy at weekends with surfers from Bournemouth and Poole.
Camping and vans
Steeple Leaze Farm is a campsite about 2 km away. Nearest campsite about 2 km away.
Facilities
The car park near the slipway, and the Fine Foundation Marine Centre of the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve by the bay; few other services.
Water quality
Rated excellent in the 2025 English bathing-water classification (Kimmeridge Bay). The bay is part of the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve.

Ideal conditions

Swell
SSW–WSW best, S–W works
Size
1.2–2.5 m offshore swell; starts at 0.8 m, holds to 3.5 m
Period
9 s minimum, best from 12 s
Wind
Offshore N–NE; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
mid best
Faces
SSW (205°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

Nearby spots

All spots in Devon and the south coast · All spots

Sources