Anglesey is a collection of gutless beachbreaks scattered around the island, with the main spots at Rhosneigr, Treaddur, Cable Bay and Aberffraw. The waves break over sand and peel both left and right, but this is a corner of the coast that is rarely epic. It takes a huge swell to wake these beaches up, so keep expectations grounded and treat a good day as a bonus.
When It Works
The beaches draw swell from the southwest through to the northwest (SW-NW), and southwest (SW) is the direction that matches them best. Because the swell has to push all the way up St Georges Channel to arrive with any size, you really need a big southwest groundswell before the beaches start to break. The working size runs from 0.3 m / 1 ft to 1.2 m / 4 ft.
Wind and Tide
Look for a northeast (NE) offshore wind to clean things up. The beaches can work across low, mid and high tide, so you have plenty of window to pick from, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
With their mellow, forgiving nature, these beaches suit beginners well and make a friendly place to find your feet.
Access
Getting to the water is easy overall. Some beaches have parking right beside the sand, while others mean a longer walk out over the dunes to reach the break. You will find restrooms and camping nearby, and parking covers a mix of a car park with free parking, paid parking and roadside spaces.
