Sandside Bay
Sandside Bay would be famous for its quality left-hander if it weren't for its proximity to the Dounreay nuclear facility.
Sandside Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (310°)
- Direction range
- 280° - 360°
- Size range
- 1m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 13s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Offshore range
- 180° - 260°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
Water temp
9°C
Wetsuit
6/5mm + boots, gloves, hood
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
2/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Sandside Bay?
Sandside Bay is a beach break in Caithness, UK, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Sandside Bay?
Sandside Bay picks up swell from the W round to the N, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NW. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.7 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 13s or longer, as anything under 9s 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 Sandside Bay?
A SW wind is dead offshore at Sandside Bay, 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 Sandside Bay?
Sandside Bay is at its best around the mid to high tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Sandside Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Sandside Bay comes Sep to Feb. There's a second window in Mar too.
How cold is the water at Sandside Bay?
The water at Sandside 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 Sandside Bay good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Potential for radioactive particles (Dounreay nearby). Quality hollow left near harbour.
How do I get to Sandside Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is WIC, then it's roughly a 35-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Sandside Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Brimms Ness Point (7.3 km), Brimms Ness Bowl (7.5 km) and Melvich (8.8 km), handy when Sandside Bay 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
Brimms Ness Point
Caithness left reef - Cliff access - Remote and empty
Brimms Ness Bowl
Heavy Scottish slab - Remote Caithness coast - Freezing barrels
Melvich
Sutherland rivermouth - Long walling rights - Peat-stained barrels
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