Branksome Dene is the go-to wave spot in prevailing winds. It’s deep shelving beach and outer sandbars serve up a good wave on its day which peels long to the right and faster to the left.

A happy balance between rolling and heavy conditions here is good for wave jumping and wave riding.

 
Comfortable for first time riding on smaller days, don’t underestimate the bigger days it’s got stopping power!

Care is needed around the groynes.

SW is dead cross shore from the right, East is side shore from the left. S-SE is dead onshore and should be avoided due to the narrow beach and high cliffs can creating an updraft 

Branksome is rideable in all tides. The strongest high tides can leave only 10-15 meters beach space though, dropping deep into the water with a note-able shore break.

The lowest tides give lots of space and mellow conditions a lot as the waves break further out on the outer sandbars.

The waves generally hold and peel better in higher tides, if the swell is good. Low tides tides can make the waves crumble early, or form up in smaller swell.

The significant riding hazard here is the 2 rock groynes which protrude into the sea. The break between them can be steep and fast but riders should always give ample safety distance downwind to avoid collision.

To the east end of this section there is an area around 400 meters with no groynes, this gets a longer wave popular with wave riders and windsurfers.

It is the safest area to ride, but riders should stay alert to others.

 
Downwind of this area the groynes turn to wood, riders should be aware that they will become covered at higher tides and not ride near them.

Riders should also note the high cliffs which could create a wind updraft, the beach too can be busy with sun bathers in summer months and some light wind summer days too busy to safely ride here.

Being a wave spot, wave rules of the road are generally prioritised here, giving space to a rider on a wave, so riders jumping (on the way out) should give way.

Riders picking a wave should enter the circulation and pick a swell line out back, they should be alert to not ‘snaking’ another riders wave.

On the beach kiters should stay alert to helping other in need.

Postcode: BH13 6FB

Pay and display parking is located overlooking the spot

A toilet block is located in the car park

Inn on the beach pub is located near the carpark entrance

Note: Branksome-Dene Chine Carpark is located 500 meters east of Branksome-Main carpark where we don’t advise riding due to the number of rock groynes and beach users