St Andrews West is a beach break located south of the rivermouth breakwater and north of a stretch of folded reef. The sandy bottom here is laid down by the Kinness Burn, making it easterly facing and generally suited for some mellow surf. It works best with a bigger swell, and while the waves can occasionally line up, they're only moderately consistent. This spot is quite nice for beginners, especially with the slower, shifty peaks available.

The surf works best on mid to high tides, with optimal swell coming from the Northeast (NE) and handling sizes from about 1ft (0.3m) to 4ft (1.2m). You can expect both lefts and rights to break here, but there tends to be more lefts. The preferred winds are from the southwest (SW), which makes for better conditions. Keep in mind that when the swell gets bigger, paddling can become quite tough, so it’s good to be prepared.

Access to St Andrews West is easy, with parking available right by the slipway overlooking the beach. It's usually pretty quiet, so you won’t have to deal with big crowds. The local vibe here is friendly, making it a good spot to relax and enjoy some surf. The best seasons to hit this spot are in autumn and winter when the bigger swells roll in.