McConks’ stand up paddle boarding bitesize travel guides: Whitesands Bay, St. Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Location:

Whitesands Bay, St. Davids, Pembrokeshire< wales

Spot type:

Open ocean, Atlantic facing sandy beach exposed to all weather types swinging in from the west.

Conditions:

Whitesands Bay is mostly a surfing beach but as with other wave spots it can go flat if there’s a lack of Atlantic swell action. It’s a spot described as the best surfing beach in all of Pembrokeshire, although that’s more to do with accessibility for all levels.

Hazards:

Rips can occur when there’s surf pulsing in with general open beach current also in affect. Waves can sometimes be heavy as they close out and dump on shallow sand bars or the beach itself. Some rocks need to be heeded and during summer other water users. It gets busy!

Access:

Whitesands Bay has easy access from the main car park but as mentioned above it gets rammed during high season.

Popularity (1-10):

10+ in summer dropping to 1-2 in winter.

Amenities:

There’s a shop/café and public toilets onsite as you walk down to the sand. If you head back in the UK’s smallest city – St. Davids – there are a few eateries, pubs and restaurants plus shops and such. Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire’s main county town, is a few miles back east and has more in the way of nightlife if you’re after that.

Overview:

Pembrokeshire is truly the Wild West for many. Being that much further on, and therefore longer to get to than The Gower Peninsula, Whitesands Bay just outside St. Davids is pretty much on the fringe. That said it gets super busy during summer with all manner of water going craft afloat. If the surf’s smaller you can guarantee it’ll be rammed. Add sunshine to the mix and it becomes more so. On quieter days it can be a good SUP surfing spot for some mellow riding. The waves aren’t super hardcore although they do tend to dump a little. A rip at the northern end can help riders get out on bigger days, if you know what you’re doing. This is where the best wave in the bay breaks. But be aware, local surfers tend to flock on good conditions. To the left of Whitesands Bay is Ramsey Island. This is where the notorious tidal race – called The Bitches – forms. Kayakers have been doing battle with this natural, tidal phenomena for years. Of late stand up paddlers have also tested their mettle. BUT, it’s not for the inexperienced and is best undertaken with safety cover.