Torrisdale Bay
Torrisdale Bay is one of Scotland's most remote and beautiful surf spots--a wide sandy bay where the Naver river creates sandbars.
Torrisdale Bay 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
- 310° - 35°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Offshore range
- 135° - 225°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
Water temp
10°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
1/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Torrisdale Bay?
Torrisdale Bay is a beach break in Sutherland, UK, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Torrisdale Bay?
Torrisdale Bay picks up swell from the NW round to the NE, 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 Torrisdale Bay?
A S wind is dead offshore at Torrisdale Bay, and anything from the SE 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 Torrisdale Bay?
Torrisdale Bay is at its best around the low to mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Torrisdale Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Torrisdale Bay comes Oct to Mar. There's a second window in Apr to May and Sep too.
How cold is the water at Torrisdale Bay?
The water at Torrisdale Bay averages around 10°C, so you'll want a 5/4mm with boots. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Torrisdale 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 1/10). Rips by river. Access requires paddling across river or hiking. Extremely remote.
How do I get to Torrisdale Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is WIC, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near Torrisdale Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Melvich (19 km), Sandside Bay (28 km) and Brimms Ness Point (35 km), handy when Torrisdale Bay isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, May, Sep
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Melvich
Sutherland rivermouth - Long walling rights - Peat-stained barrels
Sandside Bay
Quality left by harbour - Nuclear neighbour - Unique risk assessment
Brimms Ness Point
Caithness left reef - Cliff access - Remote and empty
Brimms Ness Bowl
Heavy Scottish slab - Remote Caithness coast - Freezing barrels
Bagpipes
Remote Scottish slab - Almost un-surfed - Maximum consequence
Thurso East
Scotland's world-class right - Cold water perfection - North Atlantic power