Overview
Porth Neigwl, better known as Hells Mouth, is North Wales' best-known spot. Sitting at the end of the Llyn Peninsula, it's a perfectly positioned swell catcher, and its sandy beach turns raw swell into good quality waves. It fires up when a low pressure parks to the south off Biscay and the swell funnels between the Irish and Welsh coastlines to light up this long bay. At the southern end you'll find The Corner, a wedgy left-hander that peaks and peels along a rocky bottom before finishing on sand. To the north sits The Reef, a busy right-hander, with plenty of beach break peaks scattered in between. On its day it's excellent, serving up crowded but genuinely good, wedgy peaks.
When It Works
The bay draws swell from south-southwest to west-southwest (SSW-WSW) and is usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 1.8 m / 6 ft, roughly thigh high to overhead. Winter is the main window, with December through February the standout months, especially during big Atlantic storms. Swells here tend to appear and disappear quickly, so it pays to move fast when it turns on.
Wind and Tide
Look for a north (N) offshore wind, with a workable wind window running from north-northwest to northeast (NNW-NE). It breaks through all stages of the tide, though a rising tide is generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is an intermediate-friendly wave that suits everything from shortboards and fish to funboards, longboards, and bodyboards. Expect a busy lineup when it's working, with a somewhat reserved atmosphere, though the big beach gives everyone room to spread out. It can get heavy, and rips pick up when the swell is bigger, so stay switched on around the main peaks.
Access
There's a small parking area at the southern end of the beach, with a path leading down to the sand.
