Fraserburgh
The surf hub of north-east Scotland, working with North Sea swells.
Fraserburgh, at the north-eastern tip of Scotland, has a long beach and nearby reefs that wake up with northerly storms in the North Sea. With a south-westerly wind, the most common one, it's offshore.
It has an active surf community, with a school and a club.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Best swell | N, NE, E |
| Best wind (offshore) | SW, S, W |
| Tide | Mid |
| Size | 0.8–2 m |
| Best season | Autumn to spring |
| Crowd | Medium |
| Localism | Medium |
Surf forecast
Loading the forecast…
Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A shortboard or fish; a funboard in small swell. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Fraserburgh
The water is around 7 °C in winter and 13 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
For water below 7 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonThe classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.
View on AmazonWarm-water wax won't grip in this water.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
A close-knit local community. Respect priority.
Surfing style
North Sea beach break.
Hazards
Very cold water and currents.
Map
Other spots nearby
Thurso (Caithness)
One of Europe's best rights: barrels over a slab by Thurso castle.
Thurso (Caithness)
A group of reefs west of Thurso that picks up more swell than anywhere around.
Melvich (Sutherland)
A sandy bay at the mouth of the River Halladale, with quality banks.
Bettyhill (Sutherland)
A wild bay next to Bettyhill, with a left at the mouth of the River Naver.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.