Machrihanish

Scotland · United Kingdom

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Machrihanish (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/machrihanish.

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Machrihanish is a 5 km beach on the west side of the Kintyre peninsula, running north from the village to Westport. It faces the Atlantic through the gap between Islay and Ireland, and is the most popular surf beach in south-west Scotland. A short left breaks off the rocks at the village end, and peaks shift along the beach.

Level
Intermediate
Break
Beach break, sand and rock
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Some company
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard or fish; a longboard on small days.

When it works

✓ A 1–2 m westerly swell on a rising mid tide, with an easterly wind.

When it doesn't

✕ Westerly winds blow straight in, and swells from the north or south are blocked by the islands and Ireland.

Watch out for

  • rips
  • rocks

Best months

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

Local tips

Go early at weekends. The rocks at the village end hold the left. The famous golf links lie right behind the beach.

Getting there

From Campbeltown, follow the B843 west to Machrihanish village; parking by the beach and along the road.

Travel notes

How often it works
Fairly consistent on west swells through autumn, winter and spring.
Crowd and vibe
It can be busy at weekends but stays relaxed.
Camping and vans
Machrihanish Holiday Park is about 1.5 km away, with pitches, caravans and wigwams. The village hall offers basic rooms for surf groups. Nearest campsite about 1.5 km away.
Facilities
Pubs, a hotel and a small shop in the village. Everything else in Campbeltown.
Water quality
Machrihanish is rated excellent by SEPA.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WSW–WNW best, SW–NW works
Size
1–2 m offshore swell; starts at 0.6 m, holds to 3 m
Period
9 s minimum, best from 12 s
Wind
Offshore ENE–ESE; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
mid best, on the rising tide
Faces
WNW (295°)

Live cam

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

Nearby spots

All spots in Scotland · All spots

Sources