Brimms Ness Bowl
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.
Brimms Ness Bowl surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNW (340°)
- Direction range
- 300° - 360°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3.6m
- Ideal size
- 2.3m - 3m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (200°)
- Offshore range
- 160° - 250°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
Water temp
9°C
Wetsuit
6/5mm + boots, gloves, hood
Difficulty
9/10
Crowd level
2/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Brimms Ness Bowl?
Brimms Ness Bowl is a slab in Caithness, UK, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Brimms Ness Bowl?
Brimms Ness Bowl picks up swell from the WNW round to the N, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NNW. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 3.6m, with the sweet spot around 2.3 to 3m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Brimms Ness Bowl?
A SSW wind is dead offshore at Brimms Ness Bowl, and anything from the SSE round to the WSW keeps it clean. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Brimms Ness Bowl?
Brimms Ness Bowl is at its best around the mid to high tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Brimms Ness Bowl?
The most reliable run of swell at Brimms Ness Bowl comes Sep to Mar. There's a second window in Apr to May and Aug too. Autumn through winter.
How cold is the water at Brimms Ness Bowl?
The water at Brimms Ness Bowl averages around 9°C, so you'll want a 6/5mm with boots, gloves and a hood. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Brimms Ness Bowl good for beginners?
No. As a slab, it's strictly for experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Heavy slab over shallow reef. Extremely cold water (7-12C). Very remote location, far from medical help.
How do I get to Brimms Ness Bowl?
The nearest airport on our list is INV, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near Brimms Ness Bowl?
The closest breaks we track are Brimms Ness Point (0.2 km), Sandside Bay (7.5 km) and Bagpipes (7.7 km), handy when Brimms Ness Bowl isn't working. We track 8 spots around Caithness in total.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, May, Aug
Autumn through winter
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Brimms Ness Point
Caithness left reef - Cliff access - Remote and empty
Sandside Bay
Quality left by harbour - Nuclear neighbour - Unique risk assessment
Bagpipes
Remote Scottish slab - Almost un-surfed - Maximum consequence
Thurso East
Scotland's world-class right - Cold water perfection - North Atlantic power
Murkle
Caithness left slab - Backdoor barrels - Expert territory
Melvich
Sutherland rivermouth - Long walling rights - Peat-stained barrels
Plan a trip around Brimms Ness Bowl
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