Current Forecast & Tides

About this spot

Lyme Regis sits at the western end of Dorset's Jurassic Coast, where the land curves sharply into Lyme Bay and the cliffs of Black Ven and Church Cliffs tower above the seafront. There are two beaches either side of the Cobb — the famous medieval harbour wall that projects into the bay. Most kiters use Town Beach to the west of the Cobb, which is less exposed to gusts and has the most usable launching space.

The spot works in south and south-westerly winds, which blow cross-onshore across Town Beach. A pure southerly is the cleanest angle and, combined with Atlantic swell, can produce excellent wave conditions. The westerly component is where it gets complicated — any W in the wind introduces gusts rolling off the surrounding cliffs and hills, makes conditions noticeably less consistent, and starts to add an offshore component. Watch the forecast carefully: a SW can shift to W quickly, and what was cross-shore becomes partially offshore.

Tides are critical here. Below roughly 1.1m on the tide gauge there is very little usable beach remaining and the rocky reef off East Cliff starts to appear near the surface. The best window is mid tide rising to high water, when the beach deepens and the launch zone opens up. The Cobb itself can throw up a small, steep wave on a falling tide in strong SW swell — experienced wave riders know to look for this, but the wall is always there and must never be forgotten as a downwind hazard.

This is strictly an advanced spot. The confined launch area, proximity of the Cobb, shallow reef, gusty wind, and the offshore risk in westerly conditions all demand high competence. If you are not fully self-sufficient and confident in these conditions, Portland Harbour or Weymouth Bay are the appropriate alternatives.

Hazards

Getting there & parking

Lyme Regis is reached from the A35 via the A3052 or B3165. The town centre is compact and walking distance from the beach. Several car parks are managed by Lyme Regis Town Council and Dorset Council within a short walk of the seafront. Peak season rates (April–October): 30 mins £1.50, 1 hr £3, 2 hrs £4.50, 4 hrs £7.50, 10 hrs £15. Pay by coin, card or JustPark. See the Lyme Regis Town Council car parks page for a full list and current charges.

Nearby spots

Also worth checking: Chesil Beach (20 miles east, powerful open-ocean exposure for advanced riders), Portland Harbour (25 miles east, flat-water venue suitable for all levels), and Bantham (30 miles west into Devon, another advanced wave spot at the mouth of the River Avon).

Water quality

Storm overflow data for Lyme Regis is monitored in real time by Wessex Water via their telemetry network. Current water quality status — including active sewage discharges and recent spill alerts — updates automatically in the live forecast app.