Port Erin

Most beaches are best surfed on the incoming tide. For some reason Port Erin works best a couple of hours after high water down, but if it is really blowing hard anytime will do and you can even find protection in a severe storm near the harbour. Usually the surfing is best on the north side of the bay by the cliffs but please note that this is a boardies break and we should try to give them plenty of room. Obviously you need a strong westerly blow or a severe north-westerly storm when Peel is closed out. (photo right)

Peel

Anytime except 2 hours either side of high water My favorite beach but not just because I live there ! In a strong northerly or north-westerly Peel produces some of the fastest and most powerful waves on the Island. It can be a problem getting on them so use Megas or sea kayaks on big days. On a really big day walk along the beach after a run and paddle out near the harbor for your next one. (photo left)

Fanella Beach

Ooooh could be gnarly dude ! Be careful here as this narrow beach has seen a few people end up in the cliffs on either side. Surfs best on the incoming tide but leave before it starts bouncing off the breakwater. There is a rip on the castle side which can help you to get out on all but the biggest of days but you'll know if it's too big when you see the foam in Peel city centre or someone getting back surfed into the cave of death ! Unfortunately this beautiful spot can be very messy and broken.

Gansey Bay

This bay gets fantastic swell from the south (Photo below right) . With a long fetch the waves are clean, predictable and fast. To be there just after a big storm when the wind has dropped off and the rollers keep crashing in for a few hours is one of the best surfing experiences on the Island. Sweetest for the hour or two before the waves start hitting the rocks. Usually this is 4 hours before high water to 2 hours before high water but on neap tides it could be a bit longer. We usually surf at the Port St. Mary end of the bay where the road leaves the bay and drift to the Shore Hotel if it's small. (please go in the pub as they sponsor the sea-kayak races !!)

Port St. Mary

Sewer Pipe Just behind Port St. Mary breakwater is a lovely clean, little right-hander that works 3 hours either side of low water in a west to north-westerly. When there is nothing else to be found, try it. Surfing it in a kayak when it is big is very exciting but the swim is horrible in the turbulence caused by the reflection off the breakwater. Hango Hill On the way to Langness from Castletown behind the ruined castle called Hango Hill is a nice little bay. Gansey will probably be better so go there instead.

Douglas

Had a reputation as polluted but the new sewer system has probably cleaned it up. Sewage no longer goes straight into the sea as it does everywhere else on the Island. Can be quite good at the bottom of Broadway but why surf in the capital when there are quieter places to go. I haven't surfed there in 15 years and am not about to start. Please join Surfers Against Sewage, the real S.A.S.

Laxey

Some people really like Laxey in an easterly to south-easterly but it should be avoided 2 hours either side of high water as there is a vicious undertow off the steep beach. When you have been dragged down the shingle underwater after being dumped on by several tons of sea water and weed you start to respect the place. You can also find a clean wave running along the harbor wall but it is called something like the mincer or grinder by the boardies and it ends in concrete blocks.

Port Mooar

Near Maughold Head In, or just after a big south-easterly this isolated beach can be fantastic. It is rocky so is best surfed 3 hours either side of low water For atmosphere nowhere else comes close but you are unlikely to be seen if you swim so watch out for the rip on the north side.

Ramsey

In a northerly to easterly there will always be waves at one of Ramsey's many beaches. Between the harbor and the old pier is a favorite venue. Typical beach break which can be too messy to bother with unless you are in a big gang of friends and just going out for a party. Best spot in an easterly which are thankfully rare.

Secret Spots

With a plastic boat you can find a nice left below the Devil's Elbow on the Peel to Kirk Michael coast road. Niarbyl in front of waking Ned's cottage is good at very low water, as is the tip of the Niarbyl tale of rocks. Dog Mills north of Ramsey and Ballaugh Cronk can both have good sandy beach breaks which depend on any sand banks that might have been established. What you really need is 2 or 3 weeks to explore....

Above: Gansey Beach, Isle of Man.

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