Caerfai Bay

Caerfai Bay, West Wales is a small, scenic beach break near St Davids in Pembrokeshire, on Wales’ southwest coast. It’s a beautiful spot with striking cliffs, turquoise water in good light, and a fairly exposed Atlantic-facing shoreline that can pick up swell well.

Surf character

• Type: Mostly a beach/reef mix with pockets of sand and rock
• Best for: Beginner to intermediate surfers on smaller, cleaner days
• Wave quality: Can be fun and punchy when conditions line up, but it’s highly tide- and swell-dependent
• Swell exposure: Picks up a decent amount of west to southwest swell

Conditions

• Best tide: Often mid tide works best, though this can vary
• Wind: Easterly or offshore winds are ideal; westerly winds tend to make it messy
• Sea state: Can get choppy quickly due to exposure and changing winds

Hazards / considerations

• Rocky sections and reefy patches can be exposed, especially at lower tide
• Strong currents may occur when the swell is up
• Access and parking are limited compared with bigger surf beaches
• It’s worth checking local conditions carefully before paddling out

Vibe

Caerfai Bay is more of a quiet local gem than a big, crowded surf destination. It’s great if you want a beautiful setting and are happy to surf smaller, more selective waves.