As of 18:12 GMT on 1 November 2026, Dunnet Bay scores 31/100 (Poor) for surf on PeakWave.
Wave alignment: limiting. Tide: ideal.
What's driving it
Don't bother today: 31.
Better nearby
Nothing else in Caithness beats Dunnet Bay by a clear margin today.
See every Caithness surf spot today⚠ Cold-shock risk
- Strong current: Strong current: limiting. Shown separately from the conditions score.
- Rip risk elevated
- Storm forecast unavailable
- Main limiter
- Wave alignment
- Strongest positive
- Tide
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
What matters for this session
Read the swell size, period and direction together with the wind at the beach. The tide chart below adds timing context for this break.
Today's forecast
Local time 6:38pmSession recommendations are unavailable while safety or forecast evidence is incomplete or a red flag is active.
Tide
Approximate modelHeights relative to mean sea level
Next 7 days
Forecast via Open-MeteoWorking in Dunnet Bay this season?
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Create Profile →Frequently asked questions
How often is this page updated?
Each location is refreshed every three hours. The hourly view, 7-day forecast, luck factor and packing notes come from the same stored update.
What is the luck factor?
We compare the 7-day forecast with the version-matched historical observations available for the same time of year at Dunnet Bay. The delta shows whether conditions look better, worse or about the same as a typical late October.
How is 'best session' picked?
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Where does the data come from?
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Does the score capture local knowledge?
Partly. The model uses stored spot geometry, swell ranges and tide preferences where configured. It cannot see changing banks, crowds, access, closures or everything visible on a local cam, so treat it as a starting point.
When is the best time for Surf at Dunnet Bay?
The best week for surf at Dunnet Bay is the week of 23 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.