Dunnet Bay

Castletown · Scotland · United Kingdom

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Dunnet Bay (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/dunnet-bay.

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Dunnet Bay is a 3 km sweep of sand and dunes between Castletown and Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of mainland Britain. Sandbars along the beach give lefts and rights, and a right breaks off the rocks at the north end. It is the easiest wave in Caithness and a good place to start a north coast trip.

Level
Beginners
Break
Beach break, sand and rock
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Quiet
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
Any board: a longboard or foam board on small days, a shortboard for the north-end right.

When it works

✓ A 1–2 m north-west swell with a south-easterly wind, at any tide.

When it doesn't

✕ Northerly and westerly winds blow straight in, and over about 2.5 m it closes out.

Watch out for

  • rips
  • rocks

Best months

September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May

Local tips

Check the right at the north end on a bigger swell. The water is very cold, so wear a thick hooded suit, boots and gloves in winter. Days are very short in December.

Getting there

Leave Thurso on the A836, heading for John o' Groats. In Castletown and Dunnet, signs point to the beach car parks.

Travel notes

How often it works
Very consistent. It picks up any swell from the west round to the north and works through most of the year, although summer is often flat.
Crowd and vibe
Usually empty; a handful of local surfers at weekends.
Camping and vans
Dunnet Bay Club Campsite is behind the dunes, about 2 km from the peak. Windhaven Camping and Murkle Caravan Park are about 5 km away. Nearest campsite about 2 km away.
Facilities
Car parks and toilets at the beach. Shops, cafés and pubs in Castletown and Dunnet.
Water quality
Dunnet is rated excellent by SEPA.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WNW–N best, W–NNE works
Size
1–2 m offshore swell; starts at 0.5 m, holds to 2.8 m
Period
8 s minimum, best from 12 s
Wind
Offshore E–S; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
mid best
Faces
NW (315°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

In the guides

Nearby spots

All spots in Scotland · All spots

Sources