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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 Sandsend. 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. Not enough swell to get this spot firing properly.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Sandsend is a picturesque, sweeping beach break located just north of Whitby on the North Yorkshire coast. The underlying bathymetry is defined by a wide, gently sloping expanse of dark sand, interspersed with minor shingle banks and river outflows. As northerly groundswells track down the North Sea, they filter into the bay and interact with this gradual depth transition, resulting in soft, spilling waves rather than heavy, plunging barrels. A south-westerly offshore wind is optimal, blowing off the steep coastal hills to groom the wave face and maintain its shape. The wave breaks as slow-moving lefts and rights that offer extended, forgiving rides. Because the energy is widely dispersed across the long beach, the impact zone is manageable and rip currents are generally weak under typical conditions. It is universally classified as an excellent venue for beginners learning to negotiate unbroken waves, as well as intermediate longboarders looking for extended trim sections in cold-water environments.
Heads up: jellyfish: high.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 86% 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, NOโ 5, Oโ 3, PM10 2, SOโ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 15:00
Moderate water clarity: ~6m visibility
Updated 10:31
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Sandsend
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
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Create Profile โPartly. 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 Sandsend is the week of 23 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
Local knowledge and community tips for Sandsend
Sandsend is a picturesque beach break just north of Whitby on the North Yorkshire coast. A sweeping bay of golden sand faces northeast into the North Sea, backed by the Cleveland Way coastal path. The waves are typically small and forgiving, relying on North Sea wind swell for anything rideable. The setting is beautiful with the village at one end and Whitby Abbey visible along the coast. A pleasant spot for a mellow session rather than serious performance surfing.
Needs northerly or north-easterly wind swell from the North Sea. A south-westerly wind is offshore. Best between October and March when storm systems track across the North Sea. Waves are typically small (knee to chest) with occasional bigger days. The gentle slope produces soft, spilling waves rather than hollow barrels.
The beach is wide with peaks forming along its length. The section near the stream outlet at Sandsend village sometimes has more defined banks. The southern end towards East Row produces slightly steeper peaks. Pick a spot with fewer people and enjoy the space.
Very few. Sandy bottom, gentle waves, and minimal currents make this one of the safest spots on the Yorkshire coast. Cold water is the main challenge. Some rocks near the stream outlet. The beach can have strong shore drift on bigger days but the consequences are low.
Free roadside parking in Sandsend village. A short walk across the sand to the surf zone. The village has a pub and a small shop. Basic facilities but the atmosphere is charming.
Almost nobody. Sandsend is overshadowed by Whitby and the more consistent spots to the south (Cayton, Scarborough). You might share the water with one or two other surfers on a good day. The peacefulness is part of the appeal.
Sandsend is best enjoyed as part of a north Yorkshire coastal trip rather than a dedicated surf mission. If it is working here, Cayton Bay and Runswick will be working better. However, the empty lineup and beautiful setting make it worth a look when you are in the area. Whitby (two miles south) has excellent fish and chips and the famous abbey. The fossil hunting along Sandsend Ness is rewarding on flat days.
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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 Sandsend tend to be best between 05:00 to 08:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 22/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
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