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Pembrokeshire

Nolton Haven

6.2 · Beach · Pembrokeshire

Nolton Haven is a small sandy cove with rock fringes and a shallow surf line, backed by a slipway and steep valley paths. Access is straightforward from the car park to the beach, with most fishing done from the sand at mid–high water or from the rocky edges on the flooding tide. Typical fishing is light-to-moderate surf work for bass and flatfish, plus spinning and float fishing around the kelpy rocks when the sea has some colour but isn’t too rough.

Should you fish Nolton Haven?

52 Fair

Today · Best available

Best available: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Mackerel and Pollack

Fair conditions. Best available around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Mackerel and Pollack.

W 4 mph Rain 2% High tide 12:08

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Nolton Haven — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Wednesday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Nolton Haven is best treated as two linked marks: the clean sandy cove for bass, flatfish, dogfish and dab, and the rock-fringed sides for pollack, wrasse, coalfish and lure work when conditions are safe. It is not a mark to force in heavy swell. A moderate surf with some colour can switch on bass and after-dark bait fishing, but bigger seas quickly bring weed, kelp, rolling water and unsafe rock edges. The strongest plan is to arrive with both beach and light rough-ground options, check where the surf is breaking, then fish moving water rather than sitting in one fixed spot.

  • Know when to stay on the sand instead of risking the rock edges.
  • Time the flood and early ebb rather than guessing the tide window.
  • Target the surf crease for bass instead of fishing dead water.
  • Switch between clean beach rigs and kelp-edge tactics with confidence.
  • Spot when weed and swell make Nolton a mark to leave alone.

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Roch 1.9 mi Simpson Cross 2.0 mi Keeston 2.7 mi Broad Haven 3.0 mi Brawdy 3.9 mi

Explore nearby towns: Roch · Simpson Cross · Keeston · Broad Haven · Brawdy

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.2 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 6/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 7/10

Bass 8/10
Tip: Best on a flooding tide into dusk; fish surf line with sandeel/peeler or spinners in a bit of swell.
Pollack 6/10
Tip: Spin or float-fish close to kelp on the rock edges; fish mid–high water, avoid heavy surf snagging.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
Tip: After dark from the sand with squid/mackerel baits; steady sport when the surf is moderate.
Mackerel 6/10
Tip: Seasonal summer sport on feathers/spinners when shoals come tight; dawn/dusk often best.
Coalfish 5/10
Tip: Occasional on lures from deeper rocky corners; more likely after rougher weather pushes fish in.
Pouting 5/10
Tip: Night bites on small fish/mussel baits; keep leads light if surf allows to avoid snagging weed.
Plaice 5/10
Tip: Spring–early summer chances on worm/sandeel on clean sand patches; try mid-tide as surf eases.
Dab 5/10
Tip: Common on ragworm/mussel, especially in calmer conditions; small hooks and clipped-down rigs help.
Flounder 4/10
Tip: More likely after rain/colour in the water; worm or small fish baits worked along the edge gutters.
Ballan Wrasse 4/10
Tip: From the rocks only: short-range float or light ledger with crab/mussel into kelp; handle carefully.

Local knowledge

Nolton Haven fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Nolton Haven is a classic small Pembrokeshire cove mark with a mix of sandy beach and rough ground around the headlands, giving you options from family-friendly surf fishing to more specialist rock and gully work. It can fish well for typical west Wales species, but it’s a venue where conditions (swell, weed and tide) dictate what’s realistically fishable.

  • A sheltered-looking cove that can still carry Atlantic swell and kelp in on bigger seas
  • Best thought of as two marks: the sandy bay itself and the rough ground/ledges at either side
  • Great "mobile" venue: be prepared to move a short distance to find cleaner ground or clearer water

Nolton Haven sits on the north-west Pembrokeshire coast, reached via narrow country lanes to the village and the small harbour/boat-slip area at the back of the beach. Access is straightforward for the beach, while the headlands require care and competent footing.

  • Road access to the village with parking usually close to the seafront; spaces can be limited in peak season
  • Short walk to the sand from the village/harbour area; suitable for carrying surf gear without a long hike
  • Rock access to either side of the bay is possible but involves uneven, often slippery ground and short scrambles
  • The stream and soft sand near the back of the beach can make trolley use awkward at times

The bay and adjacent rough ground can produce a good spread of Pembrokeshire staples, with species changing through the year and with sea state. Expect the best variety where sand meets rock and in any deeper gullies around the sides.

  • Bass: commonly taken in surf or along the edges of rough ground, especially in coloured water or low light
  • Flounder: from the sandy bay and near the stream mouth, particularly on smaller tides and calmer seas
  • Thornback ray: possible from the sand in suitable conditions, often when there’s some surf and depth in range
  • Dogfish and huss: more likely when fishing into rougher ground or at night in slightly coloured water
  • Pollack and wrasse: from the rocky fringes and kelp lines when the water is clear enough to fish cleanly
  • Mackerel (seasonal): may show from the rocks when shoals run the coast and the water is clear
  • Cod/whiting (occasional/seasonal): can turn up in winter conditions on the west coast, though catches are variable

Nolton Haven rewards matching the approach to the ground: clean surf tactics on the sand, and stronger abrasion-resistant methods if you’re fishing toward kelp and boulders. Keep rigs simple and robust—weed and snags are the main headaches here.

  • Beach (sand): 2–4oz leads typical; clipped-down rigs help in surf, while longer traces can help in calmer water
  • Baits for flatfish/rays: lugworm, ragworm, squid, and combos; add a small strip for scent in coloured water
  • Bass tactics: peeler crab (where locally available and legal), ragworm, sandeel, or shallow-presented baits in the wash
  • Rock/rough ground: pulley or strong flowing trace rigs to keep fish lifting; heavier mono/leader for abrasion resistance
  • Lure fishing: metal lures for mackerel; soft plastics/spinners for bass around the bay mouth; float-fished or lure methods for pollack when conditions allow
  • Night fishing: often productive for bass, huss and dogfish—use bold scent baits and accept more weed in big seas
  • Be prepared to downsize and fish lighter when the bay is calm and clear, and to step up tackle when swell pushes weed tight to the rocks

This is a mark where tide height and sea state decide everything; a moderate sea can switch the fishing on, but too much swell quickly makes the sides dangerous and the water unfishable with weed. The bay can fish across much of the tide, but the best windows are usually around moving water.

  • Best general windows: the first couple of hours of the flood and the first part of the ebb, when food is moving
  • Low water: more ground features exposed; can be useful for learning snags and channels, but depth may be limited
  • Big swell: expect heavy kelp and rolling stones; the beach may still be fishable but the sides often become unsafe
  • Clear, calm conditions: better for wrasse/pollack tactics on the rocks; bass often prefer a bit of colour or dusk/dawn
  • Wind: onshore winds build surf and colour; strong crosswinds can make presentation difficult on the open beach
  • Weed: a common issue after storms—carry spare rigs and consider shorter traces and slightly heavier leads when necessary

Although the bay itself is relatively accessible, Nolton Haven is still an exposed Atlantic-facing venue and can change quickly. Treat the rocks and ledges at either side with respect—many good-looking spots become hazardous when a swell wraps into the cove.

  • Slippery rock and kelp are major hazards; wear proper footwear and avoid stepping onto glossy weeded ledges
  • Swell wrap: waves can surge around the headlands even when the bay looks calm—don’t turn your back on the sea
  • Avoid fishing the rock edges in rising swell or during/after storms; the safest option is usually the central beach
  • Strong currents can occur around the bay mouth on bigger tides; take extra care if wading (often unnecessary)
  • Night sessions: use a headtorch, keep gear organised, and avoid moving onto unfamiliar rocks in the dark
  • Family/less mobile anglers: the beach is the sensible choice; the rocky sides are not suitable for limited mobility

Nolton Haven is a small village venue with basic conveniences close by, but it’s not a big resort with extensive angling infrastructure. Plan ahead for bait, tackle and food, especially outside the main season.

  • Parking close to the seafront/village (can fill quickly in summer)
  • Public toilets are often available seasonally in popular coastal villages, but availability can change—check locally
  • Beach launch/harbour area nearby (be mindful of slipway/boat traffic and keep rods clear)
  • Nearest tackle/bait supplies are typically in larger Pembrokeshire towns—bring what you need for the session

A little observation goes a long way here—watch where the surf is breaking and where the clean sand patches are, and you’ll save yourself hours of weed and snags. If the bay is full of kelp and rubbish after a blow, don’t force it; consider another nearby sheltered option.

  • Fish the "crease" where surf meets calmer water for bass, especially at dusk and dawn
  • Look for small gutters and deeper channels on the beach at mid tide; they often hold flounder and bass
  • After storms, try shorter traces and sturdier rigs to cope with drifting weed
  • If lure fishing, time it for clearer water and a bit of movement; concentrate around the bay mouth rather than right inside the streamy back end
  • In summer, expect heavy beach use during the day—early mornings, evenings and nights are better for angling

I’m not aware of a blanket official ban on sea angling at Nolton Haven itself, but local restrictions can apply (especially around slipways, bathing areas, wildlife-sensitive zones, and seasonal management). Always treat signage on arrival as definitive and check current Pembrokeshire Coast National Park guidance where relevant.

  • Check for local notices about fishing near the slipway/harbour, swimming zones, or temporary safety restrictions
  • Observe any rules on bait collection, access paths, and dune/vegetation protection
  • If targeting bass, ensure your methods and retention comply with current Welsh/UK sea fisheries rules—verify the latest guidance before keeping fish
  • Respect other beach users, particularly in summer; fish well away from swimmers and watercraft and keep lines clear