Porth Neigwl

Best Surf Season (October - March)

This is when Porth Neigwl, also known as Hell's Mouth, earns its reputation. As the North Atlantic storm track surges southward, the UK gets hit by a relentless procession of deep low-pressure systems, and this west-northwest-facing stretch of the Llyn Peninsula opens its arms to the energy. Average swell heights climb from around 6ft (1.9m) in October to a midwinter peak of 8ft (2.5m) in December and January, with periods holding in the powerful 10-12s range. The dominant swell directions - WSW, W and WNW - are exactly what this exposed beach wants, so wave quality becomes all about the wind. These same storms often drag onshore SW/W winds, and offshore E/SE flow, from ENE through SE, remains a rare commodity, which is why the ideal wind percentage sits in the mid-to-high teens. Chase the windows behind frontal passages, when a ridge of high pressure builds in and the wind swings into the east, and you will find heavy, hollow surf.