Surfing & Coastal Emergency Support
A practical directory of emergency services, lifeboat stations and coastal safety information for the Gower Peninsula, Swansea and Mumbles.
Someone in danger on the coast or at sea?
If you see someone in distress on the water, on a reef or trapped by the tide, do not wait. Initiate help immediately.
Mobile signal
Even with "No Service" displayed on your phone, dialling 999 may route through another available UK mobile network.
Yellow emergency telephones
Yellow telephones are located at some hazardous unpatrolled coastal locations, including Three Cliffs Bay, providing a direct route to emergency assistance.
HM Coastguard Rescue Teams
HM Coastguard operates dedicated local shore-based rescue teams trained in technical cliff extractions, coastal searches and coordinating medical evacuations.
Mumbles Coastguard Rescue Team
Covers inner Swansea Bay, Mumbles Head and eastern Gower bays including Langland and Caswell.
Oxwich Coastguard Rescue Team
Covers the southern and western Gower coast including Oxwich, Port Eynon, Three Cliffs and Rhossili.
RNLI Lifeboat Stations
These voluntary sea-rescue stations operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, deploying to offshore emergencies and difficult coastal rescues.
The Mumbles RNLI Lifeboat Station
The Mumbles Lifeboat StationPier Road
Mumbles
Swansea
SA3 4EN
Normally 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, subject to volunteer availability. Call ahead to confirm.
Station Visit Contact
To coordinate station visits or group tours, contact the visitor coordinator.
- All-Weather Lifeboat: Tamar-class offshore vessel capable of operating in extreme weather.
- Inshore Lifeboat: D-class vessel used for fast, close-to-shore rescues.
- Area covered: Swansea Bay, Mumbles Head, Langland, Caswell and Pwll Du.
Horton and Port Eynon RNLI Lifeboat Station
Horton BeachGower
Swansea
SA3 1LB
- Inshore Lifeboat: D-class inshore lifeboat.
- Area covered: South-west Gower, Port Eynon Point, Oxwich and the heavy-tidal channel around Worm's Head.
Do not call the station directly to report an emergency. Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
Support Units & Contact Channels
Use these contacts for safety announcements, updates and community enquiries. Do not use these channels to report an ongoing emergency.
Mumbles Coastguard Station
Located at the Mumbles Headland point.
Tutt HeadMumbles
Swansea
United Kingdom Instagram: @hm_coastguardmumbles
Official Administration
For non-urgent enquiries, public safety talks or educational sessions.
RNLI Lifeguarded Beaches
For safer surfing and ocean sports, choose a beach monitored by professional lifeguards when patrols are operating.
On smaller screens, swipe or scroll horizontally to see the full table.
| Beach | Best For | Lifeguard Cover | Key Water Hazards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caswell Bay | Beginner Surf / Families | Daily Summer | Submerged rocks, severe crowds. |
| Langland Bay | Intermediate Surf | Daily Summer | Rocky reef breaks, heavy dumping shore-breaks. |
| Port Eynon | Bodyboarding / Kayaking | Daily Summer | Strong rip currents flowing near the headland point. |
| Three Cliffs Bay | Scenic Walks Only | Peak Summer Only | Extremely hazardous rip currents, fast river flows and rapid tidal cut-offs. |
As Gower's primary beach break, it experiences large tidal shifts. While lifeguards patrol seasonally, keep an eye on powerful lateral currents and do not get too close to the southern headland.
Essential Local Safety Risks
Some coastal hazards around Gower require specific local knowledge before visiting.
The Worm's Head Causeway Danger
Before crossing the causeway from Rhossili to Worm's Head, check the daily tide tables. It is safe to cross only 2.5 hours on either side of low tide.
If you are stranded on Worm's Head by an incoming tide, do not attempt to swim back. The tidal race in the Sound is lethal. Take shelter and dial 999 to ask for the Coastguard.
In a coastal emergency, ask for the Coastguard.
If someone is in danger at sea, on the cliffs, on a beach or cut off by the tide, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.