Murkle
Murkle is a fickle but fearsome left-hand slab near Thurso that wraps around the point and produces thick, pitching barrels.
Murkle surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (350°)
- Direction range
- 340° - 40°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 2.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (195°)
- Offshore range
- 160° - 230°
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 Murkle?
Murkle is a slab in Caithness, UK, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Murkle?
Murkle picks up swell from the NNW round to the NE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the N. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 2 to 2.6m. 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 Murkle?
A SSW wind is dead offshore at Murkle, and anything from the SSE round to the SW 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 Murkle?
Murkle is at its best around the mid to high tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Murkle?
The most reliable run of swell at Murkle comes Sep to Feb. There's a second window in Mar too.
How cold is the water at Murkle?
The water at Murkle 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 Murkle good for beginners?
No. As a slab, it's strictly for experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Heavy left slab with barrel sections. Expert surfers only. Big tidal ranges. Very cold water.
How do I get to Murkle?
The nearest airport on our list is WIC, then it's roughly a 25-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Murkle?
The closest breaks we track are Thurso East (2.8 km), Bagpipes (3.1 km) and Dunnet Bay (6.2 km), handy when Murkle isn't working. We track 8 spots around Caithness in total.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Mar
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Thurso East
Scotland's world-class right - Cold water perfection - North Atlantic power
Bagpipes
Remote Scottish slab - Almost un-surfed - Maximum consequence
Dunnet Bay
Caithness' friendly beach - Beginner to intermediate - Near Thurso
Brimms Ness Bowl
Heavy Scottish slab - Remote Caithness coast - Freezing barrels
Brimms Ness Point
Caithness left reef - Cliff access - Remote and empty
Sandside Bay
Quality left by harbour - Nuclear neighbour - Unique risk assessment
Plan a trip around Murkle
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.