Gills Bay Slab
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.
Gills Bay Slab surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNE (15°)
- Direction range
- 340° - 60°
- Size range
- 2.5m - 5m
- Ideal size
- 3.6m - 4.4m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Offshore range
- 190° - 260°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
Water temp
9°C
Wetsuit
6/5mm + boots, gloves, hood
Difficulty
10/10
Crowd level
1/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Gills Bay Slab?
Gills Bay Slab is a slab in Caithness, UK, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Gills Bay Slab?
Gills Bay Slab picks up swell from the NNW round to the ENE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NNE. It starts working at around 2.5m and handles up to about 5m, with the sweet spot around 3.6 to 4.4m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s 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 Gills Bay Slab?
A SW wind is dead offshore at Gills Bay Slab, and anything from the S round to the W 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 Gills Bay Slab?
Gills Bay Slab is at its best around the mid to high tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Gills Bay Slab?
The most reliable run of swell at Gills Bay Slab comes Nov to Feb. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too.
How cold is the water at Gills Bay Slab?
The water at Gills Bay Slab 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 Gills Bay Slab good for beginners?
No. As a slab, it's strictly for experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Monster slab. Expert only. One of Europe's heaviest waves. Water temps can drop to 7C.
How do I get to Gills Bay Slab?
The nearest airport on our list is WIC, then it's roughly a 25-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Gills Bay Slab?
The closest breaks we track are Dunnet Bay (15 km), Murkle (21 km) and Thurso East (23 km), handy when Gills Bay Slab isn't working. We track 8 spots around Caithness in total. Fun fact: it's the third most northerly break we track in UK.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Oct, Mar
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Dunnet Bay
Caithness' friendly beach - Beginner to intermediate - Near Thurso
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
Brimms Ness Bowl
Heavy Scottish slab - Remote Caithness coast - Freezing barrels
Brimms Ness Point
Caithness left reef - Cliff access - Remote and empty
Plan a trip around Gills Bay Slab
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