Pembrokeshire and the Hot Spots

Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire is the most South-western county in Wales . It juts out into the Irish Sea and is exposed to the Gulf Stream from the Atlantic . This provides some of the best conditions for water sports in the UK with fairly consistent wind and waves. With outstanding coastal and mountain scenery combined Pembrokeshire has everything for an exciting and adventurous holiday for all ages and in all weathers. Pembrokeshire has over 30 sandy beaches and very high standards of water quality marked by an unprecedented number of Blue Flag beaches.

Pembrokeshire's maritime heritage is second to none, the waterways, ports and harbours have been used since prehistoric times to transmit goods, people and ideas all over the world. This heritage continues in the vast number of water users, both commercially and recreationally who live by or visit our shores, as well as in the importance of Milford Haven as an industrial centre.

Despite being no further than 7miles from the sea at any point in the county, Pembrokeshire is by no means entirely coastal. The Preseli hills in the north offer visitors a taste of barren moor land intersected by beautiful wooded valleys, while the Upper reaches of the Cleddau in the south are home to a myriad of water ways and the plant and animal life that abound here. In between is a rural, agricultural landscape that has much to offer, not least the celebrated Pembrokeshire new potato.

Pembrokeshire is also a cultural centre in itself, much influenced by being historically well visited and inhabited by outsiders, the county has a cosmopolitan and exciting culture that is both unique and unexpected.

St Brides

St Brides Bay is a large bay on the Western coast of Pembrokeshire . It is an ideal playground for water users of all types. It holds the two main beaches of Newgale and Broad Haven – the hot spots. It also has several smaller, stunning beaches for surfing and exploring. Located within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park it is the only protected stretch of coast within the UK . Whilst there are a lot of sandy beaches that you could fly kites on, we ask that you consider going to the larger, less obstructed beaches, especially during the summer holidays.

Newgale

Home to Big Blue, Newgale is one of the best beaches in the UK for kitesurfing. Ideal for power kiting and landboarding the vast expanse of sand stretches for two miles and at low tide falls by up to 7m. The beach picks up the majority of swell but is not too heavy, perfect for jumping and wave riding. The waves can be knee to waist high at the south end and pick up to well over-head high at the north end. So you can pick your spot along the beach depending on the size of waves that you want. Best used 2hrs either side of high tide and ensure you have plenty of space. Restrictions apply during July and August so check the notice boards. It can get crowded but is generally capable of catering for all. The best wind direction is S (Cross shore from the left), but it works in SW, W, NW, and N (in this direction the wind is cleaner at the southern end of the beach).

Broad Haven

This sandy beach is backed by broad haven so for land-based kiting ensure the tide is out and that there is plenty of space. For kitesurfing it is sheltered from the main brunt of the swell and so provides small waves to learn in. Best wind directions are SW (cross-shore from the left), W (Onshore), NW (cross-chore from the right) and N (Cross-shore). All the others come off the cliffs or through the village and are very gusty so you're better off going to Newgale, ten miles up the coast. There are no restrictions on Broad Haven but I wouldn't recommend it for land kiting during July and August or Bank holidays. It can get very busy.