Dunnet Bay
Dunnet Bay is the friendly face of Caithness surfing--a broad sandy beach that offers a gentler introduction to the region.
Dunnet Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNW (330°)
- Direction range
- 280° - 20°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Offshore range
- 100° - 200°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
9°C
Wetsuit
6/5mm + boots, gloves, hood
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
2/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Dunnet Bay?
Dunnet Bay is a beach break in Caithness, UK, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Dunnet Bay?
Dunnet Bay picks up swell from the W round to the NNE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NNW. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s 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 Dunnet Bay?
A S wind is dead offshore at Dunnet Bay, and anything from the E round to the SSW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Dunnet Bay?
Dunnet Bay is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Dunnet Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Dunnet Bay comes Sep to Apr. There's a second window in May and Aug too.
How cold is the water at Dunnet Bay?
The water at Dunnet Bay 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 Dunnet Bay good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Rips and rocks. Reef at north end is more advanced. Cold water year-round.
How do I get to Dunnet Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is WIC, then it's roughly a 20-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Dunnet Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Murkle (6.2 km), Thurso East (9.0 km) and Bagpipes (9.3 km), handy when Dunnet Bay isn't working. We track 8 spots around Caithness in total.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Secondary: May, Aug
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Murkle
Caithness left slab - Backdoor barrels - Expert territory
Thurso East
Scotland's world-class right - Cold water perfection - North Atlantic power
Bagpipes
Remote Scottish slab - Almost un-surfed - Maximum consequence
Gills Bay Slab
European big wave slab - Storm-only activation - Career-ending consequence
Brimms Ness Bowl
Heavy Scottish slab - Remote Caithness coast - Freezing barrels
Brimms Ness Point
Caithness left reef - Cliff access - Remote and empty