Surfing Garywilliam Point
Type Right-hand reef break Best swell Northwest Best wind East to southeast Best tide Low to mid tide Seabed Shallow, sharp rock Ability Expert surfers only
There's not much room for error at Garywilliam Point. The take-off is steep, the reef is shallow, and once you've committed to a wave, there's very little time for second thoughts.
Situated at the northern end of the Maharees Peninsula, Garywilliam is one of Kerry's most challenging surf breaks. It's a powerful, hollow right-hander that can deliver some extraordinary barrels when the conditions come together.
It's also a wave that can deliver a serious hiding if you get things wrong.
This is definitely not somewhere to try your luck if you're still finding your feet. Garywilliam demands experience, commitment and a very healthy respect for what lies beneath the surface.
What Makes Garywilliam Point Special?
Garywilliam is all about the take-off.
As a swell approaches the point, it rears up over a shallow, uneven reef, creating a steep, hollow wave that gives you precious little time to get to your feet.
Make the drop, nail the bottom turn and you might just find yourself tucked into a fast, spitting barrel.
Get it wrong and you're heading straight towards a rather unpleasant collection of rocks.
Unlike some of Kerry's longer reef breaks, Garywilliam is generally a short, intense ride. But when it's properly firing, those few seconds inside the barrel can make the whole session worthwhile.
It's the sort of wave that leaves you grinning from ear to ear afterwards, assuming everything has gone according to plan.
When Does Garywilliam Work Best?
A solid northwest swell and light east to southeasterly winds are generally what you're looking for.
Garywilliam is exposed to Atlantic swell, and when a decent northwest groundswell arrives, the reef can produce some seriously powerful surf.
Low to mid tide is usually the preferred window, although the exact conditions will depend on the size and direction of the swell.
As the tide drops, the reef becomes increasingly shallow, making an already demanding wave even less forgiving.
Autumn and winter often provide the strongest swells, but Garywilliam can produce good waves at other times of the year too.
As with most reef breaks, it's worth watching a few sets before deciding whether to paddle out. What looks manageable between sets can be an entirely different proposition when a bigger one arrives.
A Word of Caution
Let's be honest. Garywilliam Point is a seriously dangerous wave.
The reef is shallow and razor-sharp, the take-off is critical and there's very little margin for error.
Even getting into and out of the water involves negotiating slippery, uneven rocks, and that's before you've had to deal with the surf itself.
A mistimed take-off or a badly executed bottom turn can have serious consequences here.
This is a wave for expert surfers who are comfortable in powerful, hollow surf and have plenty of experience surfing shallow reefs.
If you're unfamiliar with the break, take the time to understand the conditions, entry and exit points, and hazards before considering a paddle out. Never surf it alone.
If there's any doubt about your ability or the conditions, give it a miss.
There are plenty of other waves around the peninsula that won't try quite so hard to rearrange your anatomy.
Getting to Garywilliam Point
Garywilliam Point is located near Fahamore, at the northern tip of the Maharees Peninsula, just beyond Castlegregory.
From Castlegregory, follow the road out towards the Maharees and Fahamore. The point lies along the exposed rocky coastline towards the northern end of the peninsula.
It's a beautiful part of Kerry, with Brandon Bay stretching away to the south and the mountains of the Dingle Peninsula providing a spectacular backdrop.
Access to the water involves making your way across uneven, rocky ground, so take care, particularly when the rocks are wet or there's a substantial swell running.
Parking is limited in places, and the roads are narrow, so please be considerate of local residents and avoid blocking access.
If the conditions aren't suitable for Garywilliam, the nearby beaches of Brandon Bay offer plenty of other possibilities, depending on the swell and wind.
Our Take
On its day, it's an exceptional wave. Fast, hollow, powerful and capable of producing the sort of barrel that you'll still be talking about years later.
But it demands respect, and there's absolutely no shame in leaving this one to the experts.
Sometimes watching someone else get barrelled is entertainment enough.
If you're planning a surf trip to Kerry, feel free to call into Dingle Surf in town. We've been surfing these waters since 2000, and we're always happy to share a bit of local knowledge.
Back to our Surfing in Dingle Guide
Explore more surf spots: Inch Strand & Reef · Coumeenole · Ballydavid · Brandon Bay
