Surfing in the UK
SurfScanners covers 4 surf spots in the UK, including spots in Cornwall, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Of those, 3 suit intermediates and 4 suit advanced surfers. Across them, the water averages ~9°C in February and ~16°C in August.
Surf spots in the UK
Fistral Beach
Cornwall
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~15°C
Thurso East
Scotland
- Level:
- advanced
- Best months:
- Advanced surfers: Sep–Mar
- Water in October:
- ~12°C
Portrush East Strand
Northern Ireland
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Mar–Sep · Advanced surfers: Sep–Mar
- Water in October:
- ~14°C
Bude (Summerleaze)
Cornwall
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Sep–Mar
- Water in October:
- ~16°C
UK water temperature by month
Average across the spots above, with the coldest and warmest spot's in brackets.
January
~10°C (9–10°C): a 4/3mm or 5/4mm full suit with boots and gloves
February
~9°C (8–10°C): a 4/3mm or 5/4mm full suit with boots and gloves
March
~9°C (8–10°C): a 4/3mm or 5/4mm full suit with boots and gloves
April
~10°C (8–11°C): a 4/3mm or 5/4mm full suit with boots and gloves
May
~12°C (10–13°C): a 4/3mm or 5/4mm full suit with boots and gloves
June
~14°C (12–16°C): a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended
July
~16°C (14–17°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
August
~16°C (14–18°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
September
~15°C (14–17°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
October
~14°C (12–16°C): a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended
November
~13°C (11–14°C): a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended
December
~11°C (10–12°C): a 4/3mm or 5/4mm full suit with boots and gloves
Surfing in the UK: FAQ
When is the best time to surf in the UK?
For intermediates: Apr–Oct. For advanced surfers: Sep–Mar. Across the country, waves are biggest in February, averaging 8.1 ft (2.5 m), and smallest in May, at 3.8 ft (1.2 m).
What is the water temperature in the UK?
Averaged across our 4 spots, it ranges from ~9°C in February to ~16°C in August. The spots differ: Thurso East drops to ~8°C in February, while Bude (Summerleaze) reaches ~18°C in August.
What wetsuit do I need to surf in the UK?
It depends on the spot: in February, Thurso East (~8°C) calls for a 5/4mm or 6/5mm hooded full suit with boots, gloves and hood, while in August, Bude (Summerleaze) (~18°C) needs a 2mm spring suit / shorty.
Is the UK good for beginner surfers?
Not really: the spots we cover in the UK are better suited to intermediate and advanced surfers.
Where are the best surf spots in the UK?
We cover 4 spots in the UK. Intermediate and up: Fistral Beach, Portrush East Strand, and Bude (Summerleaze). Advanced only: Thurso East.