Llantwit Major

Wales · United Kingdom

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Llantwit Major (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/llantwit-major.

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Llantwit Major is a pebble and boulder beach on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, below the town. The main wave is a right that runs off the rocks at the west end of the beach, with a few shorter peaks on the sand that shows at low tide. It sits far up the Bristol Channel, so it needs a good-sized swell, but on those days it is one of the better waves in south-east Wales.

Level
Intermediate
Break
Point break, cobbles
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Some company
Season
autumn, winter
Boards
A shortboard or a fish; the right can hold a step-up on big days.

When it works

✓ A solid 1.5–3 m south-west swell on a rising mid tide with a light north-easterly wind.

When it doesn't

✕ Small swells barely reach it, and high tide pushes the waves onto the boulders.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • rips
  • pollution

Best months

October, November, December, January, February, March

Local tips

The beach is mostly large pebbles, so wear boots and pick your way in and out with care. Check it when Porthcawl is too big or too windy from the north. Leave it alone on small days.

Getting there

Follow the signs from the town centre to the beach at Col-huw; there is a car park right behind the beach.

Travel notes

How often it works
Fairly reliable in winter but mostly flat in summer. The swell has to travel a long way up the Bristol Channel, so only bigger south-west and west swells make it this far.
Crowd and vibe
Usually quiet with a small local crew. It gets busier when big swells close out the more open beaches to the west.
Camping and vans
Acorn Holiday Park is about 1.5 km away. Heritage Coast Campsite is about 5 km west along the coast. Nearest campsite about 1.5 km away.
Facilities
Car park, café and toilets at the beach. Shops and pubs in Llantwit Major, about 1 km inland.
Water quality
Col-Huw Beach (Llantwit Major) is rated excellent in the 2025 Welsh classification. Guides warn about run-off after heavy rain.

Ideal conditions

Swell
SW–WSW best, SSW–W works
Size
1.5–3 m offshore swell; starts at 1 m, holds to 4.5 m
Period
9 s minimum, best from 12 s
Wind
Offshore N–ENE; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
low, mid best, avoid high, on the rising tide
Faces
SSW (200°)

Live cam

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

Nearby spots

All spots in Wales · All spots

Sources