Runswick Bay

The spot

Runswick Bay is a sheltered right-hand point break on the North Yorkshire coast, between Whitby and Staithes. The wave wraps around a rocky headland and peels along a defined section of coast, offering longer rides than the beach breaks in the area. It faces north and the headland provides shelter from easterly winds. The fishing village clinging to the cliff above is charmingly photogenic. A genuine point break is rare on the English east coast.

When it works

Needs a solid northerly or north-westerly swell with enough size to wrap around the headland. A south-westerly wind is offshore. Best on all tides but produces its most defined shape at mid to high when the swell wraps cleanly around the point. Works October through March. The right-hander needs more swell to work than the beach breaks further south.

Where to sit

The take-off is at the tip of the headland where the swell first encounters the point. The wave peels right along the rock shelf. Line up with features on the headland to identify the take-off zone. On bigger days the wave wraps further and offers longer rides. Position yourself to catch the wave as it begins to refract around the rocks.

Hazards

Rocky seabed throughout the point break section. Falls risk contact with submerged boulders and reef. Currents sweep along the headland on bigger swells. Cold water year-round. The point break is not suitable for beginners; the sandy beach inside the bay is safer for less experienced surfers. Access involves climbing over rocks.

Parking and access

Limited parking at the village above with a steep walk down to the bay. The point itself requires scrambling over rocks from the main beach. Not the easiest spot to access with equipment. No facilities at the surf spot itself.

The crowd

Very quiet. The east coast point break setup is known only to the local Yorkshire crew. On a good day you might share it with 5-10 people. Many surfers in the area head to Cayton Bay or Scarborough instead, unaware of what Runswick offers. The locals are knowledgeable and welcoming.

Local tips

Runswick is worth checking whenever the North Sea is producing solid swell. The right-hander offers something genuinely different from the beach breaks that dominate the coast. Check the swell height and period carefully; it needs more size than Cayton or Scarborough to start working. The village pub does a solid pint after a session. Combine with a visit to Staithes for one of Yorkshire's best coastal drives.