Scarborough (North Bay)
Scarborough's North Bay, with waves for everyone below the castle.
Scarborough has two bays split by the castle headland. North Bay picks up northerly swell better and has sand peaks and the odd reef for every level.
It's one of Yorkshire's surf hubs, with schools and shops.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | N, NE, E |
| Best wind (offshore) | W, SW |
| Tide | Mid to high |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | Autumn to spring |
| Crowd | Medium |
| 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 funboard or minimalibu for learning; a shortboard in good swell. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Scarborough (North Bay)
The water is around 7 °C in winter and 14 °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 AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
View on AmazonThe three-fin set for a shortboard.
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
An open vibe.
Surfing style
Beach break.
Hazards
Rocks and groynes.
Map
Other spots nearby
Scarborough (Yorkshire)
A wooded bay south of Scarborough, with sandbanks and reefs at either end.
Whitby (Yorkshire)
A long beach north of Whitby, sheltered from the northerly wind.
Yorkshire
A heavy slab left next to a picture-postcard fishing village.
Yorkshire
A right by the jetty of an old mining village, working with northerly swell.
All spots in North-East England →
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.