Melvich
A sandy bay at the mouth of the River Halladale, with quality banks.
Melvich is a sandy bay at the mouth of the River Halladale, on the north coast. The river forms sandbanks that give quality waves with a north or north-west swell.
It's an option when the Thurso reefs are too big.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Rivermouth |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Best swell | NW, N |
| Best wind (offshore) | S, SE, SW |
| Tide | Low to mid |
| Size | 0.8–2.5 m |
| Best season | September to April |
| Crowd | Light |
| Localism | Low |
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. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Melvich
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
Few people.
Surfing style
River-mouth beach break.
Hazards
River currents.
Map
Other spots nearby
Thurso (Caithness)
A group of reefs west of Thurso that picks up more swell than anywhere around.
Bettyhill (Sutherland)
A wild bay next to Bettyhill, with a left at the mouth of the River Naver.
Thurso (Caithness)
One of Europe's best rights: barrels over a slab by Thurso castle.
Aberdeenshire
The surf hub of north-east Scotland, working with North Sea swells.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.