Expert-verified surf spot database with detailed swell/wind parameters, hazards, and travel information
Thurso East is Scotland's crown jewel--a world-class right-hand reef that has hosted international competition and draws dedicated cold-water chargers from across the globe. When North Atlantic storms send clean groundswell down the Pentland Firth, this flat rock shelf transforms into mechanical walls and barrels that rival anything in Europe.
Scotland's world-class right - Cold water perfection - North Atlantic power
Works best with swells from 325° (NW). Workable range: 300°-360°.
Ideal size: 2.9m. Too small below 1.2m, too big (closeout) above 4.5m.
Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 180° (S). Offshore range: 135°-225°. Best window: both.
Best Sept-March with large North Atlantic swells
🪸 Sharp reef, 🪨 Rocks, 🌀 Strong rips, 👥 Crowded
Heavy reef break. Very cold water (7-12C). Crowds when classic. Booties essential year-round.
Swell direction must be within the workable range AND within the spot's coastal orientation. A south-facing beach cannot receive north swells, no matter the size or period.
Offshore wind (blowing from land toward ocean) grooms the wave face. Onshore wind (blowing from ocean toward land) destroys wave quality. Wind tolerance varies by wave type.
Porthleven is Cornwall's heavy-water arena--a powerful reef break that detonates beside the harbour wall when sizeable SW groundswells wrap into Mount's Bay. The wave is an A-frame but the right is the prize.
Cornwall's heavy reef - Harbour wall barrels - SW swell magnet
Works best with swells from 225° (SW). Workable range: 200°-260°.
Ideal size: 2.4m. Too small below 1.2m, too big (closeout) above 3.6m.
Offshore wind from 0° (N). Offshore range: 315°-70°. Best window: morning.
🪸 Sharp reef, 🪨 Rocks, 🌀 Strong rips, 👥 Crowded, ⚠️ Shallow
Extremely powerful wave breaking next to harbour wall. Shallow reef. Rocks everywhere. Very crowded when on.
Lynmouth is Devon's hidden gem--a fickle left-hand point break that only comes alive with substantial WNW groundswell and the right wind. When the stars align, long walls peel along the rocky headland.
Devon's fickle left point - Cliff access only - Needs size to fire
Works best with swells from 295° (WNW). Workable range: 270°-320°.
Ideal size: 3.1m. Too small below 1.8m, too big (closeout) above 4.5m.
Needs at least 12s period. Ideal: 16s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 170° (S). Offshore range: 135°-200°. Best window: morning.
Needs very specific large NW swells to work
🪨 Rocks, 🌀 Strong rips, 🚶 Difficult access, 🏝️ Remote
Difficult access down cliff path. Very rocky entry and exit. Needs large swell that limits who can surf it.
The Cribbar is England's answer to big wave surfing--a monstrous reef that lurks off Towan Head in Newquay, only awakening when massive Atlantic storms send long-period groundswell crashing into the Cornish coast. It breaks a handful of times per year at best.
England's big wave beast - Breaks a few times per year - Expert only
This is a big wave break, breaking both.
Works best with swells from 250° (WSW). Workable range: 225°-280°.
Ideal size: 9.8m. Too small below 4.5m, too big (closeout) above 15m.
Needs at least 14s period. Ideal: 18s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 135° (SE). Offshore range: 90°-180°. Best window: morning.
Breaks a handful of times per year during major storms
😮‍💨 Hold-downs, 🪨 Rocks, 🏝️ Remote, 🌀 Strong rips, ⚠️ Shallow
Extremely powerful big wave. Breaks far offshore over reef. Long holddowns in cold water. Spring tides only.
Brimms Ness Bowl is one of Scotland's most fearsome waves--a thick, grinding slab that detonates over shallow reef on the remote Caithness coastline.
Heavy Scottish slab - Remote Caithness coast - Freezing barrels
Works best with swells from 340° (NNW). Workable range: 300°-360°.
Offshore wind from 200° (SSW). Offshore range: 160°-250°. Best window: both.
🪸 Sharp reef, ⚠️ Shallow, 🪨 Rocks, 😮‍💨 Hold-downs, 🏝️ Remote
Heavy slab over shallow reef. Extremely cold water (7-12C). Very remote location, far from medical help.
Croyde Bay is Devon's most celebrated beach break--a horseshoe-shaped bay that produces hollow, punchy peaks at low tide when the rock shelf creates steep, barrelling waves.
Devon's classic beach break - Low tide rock shelf barrels - Crowded but fun
Works best with swells from 270° (W). Workable range: 240°-300°.
Ideal size: 1.8m. Too small below 1.2m, too big (closeout) above 2.4m.
Needs at least 9s period. Ideal: 12s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 60°-130°. Best window: morning.
Best Sept-March but summer swells possible
🪨 Rocks, 🌀 Strong rips, 👥 Crowded, ⚠️ Shallow
Rock shelf exposed at low tide creates hazard. Strong rips on bigger swells. Very crowded in summer.
Little Fistral sits at the southern end of its more famous neighbour, offering a more technical reef/point setup that rewards local knowledge.
South Fistral reef - More technical than main beach - Local knowledge rewarded
Works best with swells from 260° (W). Workable range: 230°-290°.
Ideal size: 2.1m. Too small below 1.2m, too big (closeout) above 3m.
Needs at least 9s period. Ideal: 13s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 135° (SE). Offshore range: 90°-170°. Best window: morning.
Year-round with best quality autumn-winter
🪸 Sharp reef, 🪨 Rocks, 👥 Crowded, 🌀 Strong rips
Rocky reef on the south side of Fistral. Can be crowded when good.
Bagpipes is the kind of wave that separates the serious from the curious--a heavy slab that detonates on a shallow reef shelf along the remote Caithness coast.
Remote Scottish slab - Almost un-surfed - Maximum consequence
Works best with swells from 340° (NNW). Workable range: 310°-360°.
Offshore wind from 200° (SSW). Offshore range: 160°-240°. Best window: both.
Best months: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
🪸 Sharp reef, ⚠️ Shallow, 😮‍💨 Hold-downs, 🏝️ Remote, 🪨 Rocks
Extremely heavy slab. Very shallow reef. Powerful holddowns in freezing water. Remote.
Thurso Reef sits in the shadow of its more famous neighbour Thurso East, serving as both an overflow option and a quality wave in its own right.
Thurso Bay reef - A-frame alternative - Less intense than East
Works best with swells from 315° (NW). Workable range: 290°-350°.
Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 13s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 200° (SSW). Offshore range: 160°-230°. Best window: both.
🪸 Sharp reef, ⚠️ Shallow, 🚫 Pollution, 🪨 Rocks, 🏝️ Remote
Historically polluted water from sewage outfall. Sharp reef. Very cold water.
Skara Brae sits on Orkney's raw, exposed west coast near one of Europe's most important Neolithic sites. This left-hand reef catches virtually everything the North Atlantic throws at it.
Orkney reef - Ancient coastline - Virtually empty lineup
Works best with swells from 300° (WNW). Workable range: 260°-340°.
Offshore wind from 110° (ESE). Offshore range: 70°-150°. Best window: both.
🪸 Sharp reef, 🪨 Rocks, 🏝️ Remote, 🌀 Strong rips, 🚶 Difficult access
Remote Orkney location. Freezing water (6-12C). Limited medical facilities. Ferry required.
Crab Island is one of the Gower's quality reef setups, breaking off a rocky platform in Langland Bay. It needs proper size to wrap around the Bristol Channel.
Gower reef break - Needs size to fire - Sharp reef
Works best with swells from 225° (SW). Workable range: 200°-270°.
Ideal size: 2.4m. Too small below 1.8m, too big (closeout) above 3m.
Needs at least 11s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 0° (N). Offshore range: 315°-45°. Best window: morning.
Best months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
🪸 Sharp reef, 🪨 Rocks, ⚠️ Shallow, 🌀 Strong rips
Sharp reef, booties essential. Strong currents around headland.
Porthcawl Point--known locally as The Peak--is South Wales' most iconic wave. This reef/point setup breaks best at high tide.
South Wales' most popular - High tide specialist - Sea wall barrels
Offshore wind from 45° (NE). Offshore range: 0°-80°. Best window: morning.
🪨 Rocks, 👥 Crowded, ⚠️ Shallow, 🚫 Pollution
Sea wall and rocks present danger. Gets very crowded when good. Water quality concerns after heavy rain.
Freshwater West is Pembrokeshire's most exposed beach--a long stretch of sand with reef sections that sits wide open to Atlantic SW swells.
Pembrokeshire's exposed beach - Reef and sand sections - Military access
Works best with swells from 240° (WSW). Workable range: 200°-290°.
Offshore wind from 70° (ENE). Offshore range: 40°-110°. Best window: morning.
🌀 Strong rips, 🪨 Rocks, 🚶 Difficult access
Very strong rips. Rocky reef sections. Military range sometimes restricts access.
Brimms Ness Point is the left-hand counterpart to the nearby Bowl--a long, walling left that peels along the reef at the headland.
Caithness left reef - Cliff access - Remote and empty
Works best with swells from 325° (NW). Workable range: 290°-355°.
Offshore wind from 170° (S). Offshore range: 135°-210°. Best window: both.
Remote Caithness coast. Difficult cliff path access. Freezing water.
Dalmore is one of the Outer Hebrides' most photogenic surf spots--a dramatic crescent of sand flanked by towering sea stacks and dark cliffs on the Isle of Lewis.
Lewis' dramatic beach break - Sea stacks and empty waves - Wild Hebrides
Works best with swells from 295° (WNW). Workable range: 260°-330°.
Offshore wind from 135° (SE). Offshore range: 100°-170°. Best window: both.
Very remote Isle of Lewis. Freezing water. Limited medical facilities. Steep cliff access.
Sennen Cove sits near the very tip of Cornwall at Land's End, wide open to whatever the Atlantic sends its way.
Land's End beach break - Exposed to all swells - All abilities
Works best with swells from 280° (W). Workable range: 250°-315°.
Needs at least 8s period. Ideal: 12s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 70° (ENE). Offshore range: 45°-110°. Best window: morning.
Rips against the harbour wall and rocks at south end.
Pete's Reef is one of the Gower's open secrets--a shallow, technical reef at Langland Bay that produces quality waves at low tide.
Gower's shallow reef - Low tide specialist - Sharp and technical
Works best with swells from 225° (SW). Workable range: 200°-280°.
Offshore wind from 10° (N). Offshore range: 330°-50°. Best window: morning.
🪸 Sharp reef, ⚠️ Shallow, 🪨 Rocks, 🦔 Urchins
Very shallow reef at low tide. Booties essential. Sea urchins present.
Kimmeridge is Dorset's premier reef break--a powerful right-hander that peels off Broad Bench headland when strong SW groundswell wraps around the south coast.
Dorset's fickle reef - MOD access restrictions - Powerful when on
Works best with swells from 225° (SW). Workable range: 190°-260°.
Offshore wind from 0° (N). Offshore range: 330°-30°. Best window: morning.
Best months: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb.
🪸 Sharp reef, 🪨 Rocks, 👥 Crowded, 🌀 Strong rips, 🚶 Difficult access
MOD firing range--access restricted when red flag flying. Very shallow reef. Check firing times.
Salt House Reef sits at the southern end of Widemouth Bay near Bude, where submerged rock formations create defined peaks with more power than the adjacent beach break.
Widemouth reef section - More power than the beach - Bude area
Offshore wind from 100° (E). Offshore range: 70°-130°. Best window: morning.
Submerged rocks form the reef. Watch for rips around rock formations.
Eoropie sits at the very tip of the Isle of Lewis, near the Butt of Lewis lighthouse, and catches just about every swell the North Atlantic produces.
Butt of Lewis - Powerful barrels - One of UK's most consistent
Works best with swells from 325° (NW). Workable range: 290°-360°.
Ideal size: 2.0m. Too small below 1m, too big (closeout) above 3m.
Needs at least 8s period. Ideal: 13s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 170° (S). Offshore range: 130°-200°. Best window: morning.
Heavy waves. Strong rips. Remote near Butt of Lewis lighthouse. Cold water year-round.
Dalbeg Slab lurks in a secluded cove on Lewis' west coast--a left-hand slab that fires during winter storms.
Lewis' secret slab - Expert only - Fickle and fearsome
Works best with swells from 290° (WNW). Workable range: 270°-330°.
Ideal size: 1.9m. Too small below 1.2m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Offshore wind from 130° (SE). Offshore range: 100°-160°. Best window: morning.
🪸 Sharp reef, 🪨 Rocks, ⚠️ Shallow, 😮‍💨 Hold-downs, 🏝️ Remote
Dangerous slab over shallow reef. Strong tides and undertow. Extremely cold water. Expert only.
Clachtoll is a picture-postcard pocket beach on Sutherland's wild coast, framed by ancient Lewisian gneiss.
Sutherland pocket beach - Ancient geology - Guaranteed solitude
Works best with swells from 300° (WNW). Workable range: 270°-330°.
Offshore wind from 135° (SE). Offshore range: 100°-170°. Best window: morning.
🌀 Strong rips, 🪨 Rocks, 🏝️ Remote, 🚶 Difficult access
Remote Sutherland. Long drive from any airport. Very cold water. Rocky outcrops.
Murkle is a fickle but fearsome left-hand slab near Thurso that wraps around the point and produces thick, pitching barrels.
Caithness left slab - Backdoor barrels - Expert territory
Works best with swells from 350° (N). Workable range: 340°-40°.
Offshore wind from 195° (SSW). Offshore range: 160°-230°. Best window: morning.
🪸 Sharp reef, 🪨 Rocks, 🌀 Strong rips, 😮‍💨 Hold-downs, ⚠️ Shallow
Heavy left slab with barrel sections. Expert surfers only. Big tidal ranges. Very cold water.
Manorbier--known as The Dak--is one of Pembrokeshire's best reef breaks, a peeling right-hander that works on dropping high tide.
Pembrokeshire right reef - Castle backdrop - High tide specialist
Ideal size: 1.8m. Too small below 1m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Offshore wind from 20° (NNE). Offshore range: 350°-60°. Best window: morning.
🪨 Rocks, 🪸 Sharp reef, 👥 Crowded, 🌀 Strong rips
High tide reef. Can be crowded. Reef gets rocky when big.
Machrihanish's Westport sandbar sits at the north end of one of Scotland's most beautiful beaches.
Kintyre sandbar - Fickle but rewarding - Airport on doorstep
Works best with swells from 290° (WNW). Workable range: 260°-320°.
Very strong rips. Fickle sandbar shifts regularly. Need local knowledge.
Marwick Bay is one of Orkney's most exposed surf spots--a right-hand reef on the west coast wide open to the North Atlantic.
Orkney's right reef - Full Atlantic exposure - Surf alone
Offshore wind from 100° (E). Offshore range: 70°-140°. Best window: morning.
🪨 Rocks, 🪸 Sharp reef, 🌀 Strong rips, 🏝️ Remote
Heavy reef. Strong currents. Extremely cold water. Remote.
Sandside Bay would be famous for its quality left-hander if it weren't for its proximity to the Dounreay nuclear facility.
Quality left by harbour - Nuclear neighbour - Unique risk assessment
Works best with swells from 310° (NW). Workable range: 280°-360°.
Offshore wind from 225° (SW). Offshore range: 180°-260°. Best window: both.
Potential for radioactive particles (Dounreay nearby). Quality hollow left near harbour.
Gills Bay Slab is one of Europe's heaviest waves--a monstrous left-hand slab that only comes alive during the most violent winter storms.
European big wave slab - Storm-only activation - Career-ending consequence
Works best with swells from 15° (NNE). Workable range: 340°-60°.
Ideal size: 3.8m. Too small below 2.5m, too big (closeout) above 5m.
Offshore wind from 225° (SW). Offshore range: 190°-260°. Best window: both.
🪸 Sharp reef, 🪨 Rocks, 😮‍💨 Hold-downs, ⚠️ Shallow, 🌀 Strong rips, 🏝️ Remote
Monster slab. Expert only. One of Europe's heaviest waves. Water temps can drop to 7C.
Porth Neigwl--or Hell's Mouth--is a sweeping 3-mile beach on the Lleyn Peninsula that catches SW-S swells.
Hell's Mouth - 3-mile beach - North Wales' best
Works best with swells from 210° (SSW). Workable range: 190°-250°.
Wedgy left at south end over rocky bottom. Strong rips possible.
Fistral Beach is the undisputed capital of English surfing--the beach that has hosted international competition for decades.
England's surfing capital - Year-round waves - Ground zero for UK surf
Works best with swells from 270° (W). Workable range: 250°-300°.
Ideal size: 1.9m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 3m.
Dangerous rips at low tide. Extremely crowded in summer. Huge tidal range (7.8m).
Rest Bay is the most consistent break in Porthcawl's varied lineup--a broad sandy beach that picks up SW swells.
Porthcawl's most consistent - All abilities - Rapidly changing tides
Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Offshore wind from 45° (NE). Offshore range: 20°-80°. Best window: morning.
🌀 Strong rips, 👥 Crowded, 🪨 Rocks, 🚫 Pollution
Rip current around headland. Vast tidal range. Avoid at high tide. Pollution possible.
Three Peaks is one of the Gower's most powerful setups--an exposed reef that produces heavy A-frame peaks.
Gower's powerful reef - A-frame peaks - Best at high tide
Works best with swells from 250° (WSW). Workable range: 220°-280°.
Offshore wind from 10° (N). Offshore range: 350°-50°. Best window: morning.
Exposed reef producing powerful waves. Can get crowded when conditions align.
Bantham sits at the mouth of the River Avon in South Devon, where the river creates sandbars that produce surprisingly powerful waves.
Devon rivermouth - Deceptively powerful - South coast gem
Offshore wind from 340° (NNW). Offshore range: 310°-20°. Best window: morning.
Strong rips at rivermouth. Water quality can be poor after rain. Crowded when good.
Melvich Rivermouth is one of Sutherland's most flexible waves--a sandbar where a peat-stained river creates ever-shifting banks.
Sutherland rivermouth - Long walling rights - Peat-stained barrels
Works best with swells from 330° (NNW). Workable range: 310°-0°.
Offshore wind from 180° (S). Offshore range: 150°-220°. Best window: morning.
Tannin-brown river feeds sandbar. Watch for rocks. Remote with limited facilities.
Torrisdale Bay is one of Scotland's most remote and beautiful surf spots--a wide sandy bay where the Naver river creates sandbars.
Remote Highland beauty - River-access adventure - Empty perfection
Works best with swells from 340° (NNW). Workable range: 310°-35°.
Ideal size: 1.7m. Too small below 0.9m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Offshore wind from 180° (S). Offshore range: 135°-225°. Best window: morning.
🌀 Strong rips, 🏝️ Remote, 🚶 Difficult access
Rips by river. Access requires paddling across river or hiking. Extremely remote.
The Zorba is the Cribbar's lesser-known but equally fearsome sibling--a big wave reef off Pentire headland.
Cornwall's un-ridden big wave - Pentire reef - Last frontier
Ideal size: 8.3m. Too small below 4.5m, too big (closeout) above 12m.
🪨 Rocks, 🪸 Sharp reef, 😮‍💨 Hold-downs, 🌀 Strong rips, ⚠️ Shallow
Un-ridden big wave reef. Massive granite finger reef. Tow-in territory only.
Whitesands Bay sits near St Davids and is Pembrokeshire's most popular beach break.
Pembrokeshire's popular beach - St Davids backdrop - Reliable all-rounder
Works best with swells from 255° (WSW). Workable range: 210°-300°.
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 45°-135°. Best window: morning.
Dangerous rips in bigger swells. Rocky headland at north end.
Port Bharrapol sits on Tiree--the windiest island in Britain and one of its most unlikely surf destinations.
Tiree island surf - Caribbean looks, Scottish temperature - Catches everything
Works best with swells from 280° (W). Workable range: 225°-340°.
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 60°-135°. Best window: morning.
Rocky reef sections. Remote island--flight or ferry from Oban. Cold water year-round.
Cayton Point is Yorkshire's most feared wave--a heavy, multi-lipped left that breaks directly onto shallow boulder reef.
Yorkshire's heaviest wave - Breaks into rock ledges - Maximum respect required
Works best with swells from 20° (NNE). Workable range: 340°-60°.
Offshore wind from 270° (W). Offshore range: 225°-315°. Best window: morning.
🪨 Rocks, ⚠️ Shallow, 😮‍💨 Hold-downs, 🌀 Strong rips
Heavy left breaking onto boulder reef. Multi-lipped takeoff INTO rock ledges. Potentially fatal.
St Agnes is a characterful Cornish surf village with a beach/reef setup that produces quality waves through a range of conditions.
Cornish village vibes - Reef and beach mix - Strong local crew
Works best with swells from 285° (WNW). Workable range: 240°-330°.
Offshore wind from 150° (SSE). Offshore range: 100°-200°. Best window: morning.
🪨 Rocks, 🌀 Strong rips, 👥 Crowded, 👊 Localism
Rocks throughout lineup. Dangerous rips by harbour wall. Often crowded with strong local crew.
Porthtowan is a punchy Cornish beach break that packs more power than many visitors expect.
Punchy Cornwall beach - Hollow low tide peaks - Cliff-flanked cove
Works best with swells from 285° (WNW). Workable range: 265°-330°.
Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.6m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Needs at least 7s period. Ideal: 12s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 120° (ESE). Offshore range: 90°-170°. Best window: morning.
🌀 Strong rips, 🪨 Rocks, 🚫 Pollution, 👥 Crowded
Strong rips. Rocks at southern end. Pollution issues. Very crowded in summer.
Freshwater Bay is the Isle of Wight's most iconic wave--a hollow right-hand reef/point that breaks over jagged rock.
Isle of Wight's best - Hollow right over rock - Ferry access adventure
Works best with swells from 225° (SW). Workable range: 190°-270°.
Offshore wind from 340° (NNW). Offshore range: 310°-45°. Best window: morning.
🪨 Rocks, 🪸 Sharp reef, 🌀 Strong rips, ⚠️ Shallow
Hollow right over jagged rock. Rippy conditions. Requires ferry access.
Rhossili Bay is frequently voted one of the UK's most beautiful beaches--sweeping sand backed by dramatic cliffs.
One of UK's most beautiful - Softer Gower waves - Worm's Head views
Works best with swells from 240° (WSW). Workable range: 210°-290°.
Offshore wind from 60° (ENE). Offshore range: 30°-120°. Best window: morning.
Occasional rips in bigger surf. Strong undertows. No lifeguard. Long walk from car park.
Llangennith is the Gower's workhorse wave--the go-to beach that catches most swells.
Gower's workhorse - Infamous paddle out - Welsh surf heartland
Ideal size: 1.8m. Too small below 0.6m, too big (closeout) above 3m.
Infamous difficult paddle out. Rips present. Can get crowded. Closeouts common on low tide.
Saltburn is the spiritual home of northeast England surfing--a Victorian seaside town with beach and reef.
NE England's surf hub - Victorian charm - Beach and reef sections
Works best with swells from 20° (NNE). Workable range: 340°-70°.
Offshore wind from 200° (SSW). Offshore range: 170°-250°. Best window: morning.
🚫 Pollution, 🪨 Rocks, 🌀 Strong rips, 👥 Crowded
Pollution can be an issue. Rocks at southern end. Crowded when waves arrive.
Tynemouth Longsands is the most accessible surf in northeast England--a long sandy beach within easy reach of Newcastle.
Newcastle's urban surf - Priory ruins backdrop - Easy access from city
Works best with swells from 20° (NNE). Workable range: 355°-70°.
Ideal size: 1.2m. Too small below 0.6m, too big (closeout) above 1.8m.
Needs at least 7s period. Ideal: 11s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 250° (WSW). Offshore range: 210°-290°. Best window: both.
Can get crowded with surf schools. Rips in bigger swells.
Praa Sands is south Cornwall's most popular beach break--a south-facing cove that catches SW groundswell.
South Cornwall's best beach - Board-snapping shore dump - SW swell catcher
Works best with swells from 210° (SSW). Workable range: 180°-250°.
Best months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Dangerous rips. Heavy board-breaking shore dump at high tide. Often very crowded.
Compton Bay is the Isle of Wight's most surfed beach--a stretch with three distinct sections.
Isle of Wight's surf beach - Three sections - Ferry adventure
Works best with swells from 220° (SW). Workable range: 180°-260°.
Ideal size: 1.1m. Too small below 0.6m, too big (closeout) above 1.5m.
Offshore wind from 0° (N). Offshore range: 320°-60°. Best window: morning.
Most popular surf beach on Isle of Wight. Rips in bigger swells. Requires ferry access.
Dunnet Bay is the friendly face of Caithness surfing--a broad sandy beach that offers a gentler introduction to the region.
Caithness' friendly beach - Beginner to intermediate - Near Thurso
Works best with swells from 330° (NNW). Workable range: 280°-20°.
Offshore wind from 180° (S). Offshore range: 100°-200°. Best window: morning.
Best months: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Rips and rocks. Reef at north end is more advanced. Cold water year-round.
Newgale is one of Pembrokeshire's most consistent surf spots--a pebble-and-sand beach that bears the full force of Atlantic swells.
Pembrokeshire's consistent pick - Pebble and sand - Atlantic exposure
Works best with swells from 255° (WSW). Workable range: 210°-290°.
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 30°-120°. Best window: morning.
Rips in bigger swells. Pebble bank backwash at high tide. Venturi wind effects from hills.
Tolcarne Wedge is Newquay's bodyboard-friendly wedge, a short, punchy setup that can throw surprisingly square barrels when swell, tide, and rebound line up. It is a compact urban wave rather than a long ride, but that intensity is exactly the draw. Expect tight takeoffs, shallow sand, and a crew that knows the tiny window well.
Newquay wedge • Bodyboard barrel window • Tide-sensitive setup
Works best with swells from 290° (WNW). Workable range: 270°-310°.
Ideal size: 1.4m. Too small below 0.9m, too big (closeout) above 1.8m.
Offshore wind from 120° (ESE). Offshore range: 90°-135°. Best window: morning.
Sandy Bay at Llantwit Major is a Welsh bodyboard and surf wedge that wakes up when Bristol Channel energy meets the right tide and bank shape. The wave is fickle, short and powerful, with local knowledge making a big difference. Treat the pin and conditions as a starting point and check the tide carefully before committing.
Welsh wedge • Bristol Channel pulse • Tide-critical bodyboard wave
Works best with swells from 235° (SW). Workable range: 210°-260°.
Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.9m, too big (closeout) above 2.4m.
Offshore wind from 20° (NNE). Offshore range: 0°-45°. Best window: morning.
Rock platform. Bristol Channel funnels swell.