Each location is refreshed once every three hours. The hourly view, 7-day forecast, luck factor and packing notes come from the same stored update.
We compare the 7-day forecast with the version-matched historical observations available for the same time of year at Filey. The delta shows whether conditions look better, worse or about the same as a typical late July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Flat as a lake. Save your energy for another day. Short-period chop. The waves lack any real push. Strong offshore, clean but tough to paddle into. Conditions improving through the afternoon.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Filey is a highly sheltered, sweeping beach break located on the North Yorkshire coast of the United Kingdom. The bathymetry is defined by a wide, flat expanse of firm sand, flanked to the north by the prominent rocky peninsula known as Filey Brigg. This headland acts as a massive natural breakwater, heavily diffracting and filtering the raw, frequently chaotic north-easterly wind swells generated in the North Sea. Consequently, the waves that wrap into the bay are significantly reduced in size and power. A westerly offshore wind is required to clean the surface texture. Because the wave energy is heavily attenuated and breaks over a very gentle sandy slope, the waves are typically soft, slow, and crumbly. This makes Filey an exceptionally safe and forgiving environment for beginner surfers. It provides consistent, low-power whitewater and highly manageable green faces, perfect for learning fundamental skills without the hazards of strong rip currents or steep drops.
Heads up: jellyfish: high.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 84% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Significantly cleaner air than a typical city. Ideal for outdoor exercise with minimal respiratory strain.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NO₂ 5, O₃ 3, PM10 2, SO₂ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 15:12
Moderate water clarity: ~4m visibility
Updated 10:33
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Filey
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
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Create Profile →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.
The best week for surf at Filey is the week of 23 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
Local knowledge and community tips for Filey
Filey is a gentle, sheltered beach break on the North Yorkshire coast, protected by the rocky peninsula of Filey Brigg. The long curving bay faces east and the Brigg acts as a natural breakwater, filtering and reducing the raw North Sea swell before it enters the bay. The result is consistently small, soft waves that rarely exceed chest height. Wide, flat sand and a forgiving bottom make it ideal for absolute beginners.
Needs a north-easterly swell from the North Sea. A westerly wind blows offshore. The Brigg filters so much energy that you need a solid swell running for anything rideable to make it into the bay. October through March offers the most consistent windows. Even on good days, expect small, gentle waves.
The section at the south end of the bay, furthest from the Brigg, picks up slightly more swell. The sandy slope is very gradual so position yourself for the gentle crumbling waves rather than expecting a defined peak. On bigger days, the section closer to the Brigg occasionally produces slightly steeper peaks from the swell refracting around the rocks.
Very few. The gradual sandy bottom is forgiving, the waves lack power, and the sheltered nature of the bay limits currents. The main hazard is cold water in winter. Rocks around Filey Brigg itself should be avoided but these are well away from the main surfing area. An exceptionally safe environment for learners.
Seaside town parking along the seafront. Easy access to the beach from multiple points. Facilities including toilets, cafes, and changing rooms available in the town. A very accessible, family-friendly setup.
Almost nobody. Filey does not attract serious surfers because the waves are too small and soft. You might see the occasional bodyboarder, SUP rider, or surf school but generally you will have the water to yourself. The lack of quality keeps it permanently uncrowded.
Filey works well as a confidence-building venue for beginners who find other Yorkshire spots too powerful or cold-water daunting. If Filey is actually producing decent waves, Cayton Bay and Scarborough will be firing and are worth the short drive south. The fish and chip shops on the seafront are excellent. Do not underestimate how cold the North Sea gets in January.
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Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 30 days of logged conditions.
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Filey tend to be best between 05:00 to 08:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 30/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
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