Scarborough
United Kingdom · Atlantic Europe
Right now
DrizzleWind and swell direction
Swell: 0.8m N
Wind: 14 km/h NNE (cross-onshore)
Beach faces: E
Cross-onshore wind. Wave faces are getting chopped up, conditions are average.
Swell is coming in at an oblique angle, some refraction expected.
Today hour by hour
Updated 10:02Expected crowds
Prediction model v15amDawn patrol territory
7amMidweek quiet
Next 7 days
Forecast via Open-MeteoWhat to pack
- Cold water (11°C). 5/4mm wetsuit, booties and gloves.
- Small waves expected. Longboard or fish to make the most of it.
- Rain jacket for between sessions.
Today's briefing
1.3m swell at 9s. Onshore wind creating some chop. Water temperature 10°C.
AI-generated summary for Scarborough. Always check local reports before heading out.
Forecast accuracy at Scarborough
Not enough data yet. Log a session to help build the accuracy score.
Best time to go
No great windows in the next 2 days
Best available option is Today around 5pm (score: 18). Conditions are below the Good threshold but may still be surfable.
Nearby spots right now
Crowd report
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Session journal
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Create free accountTide
Approximate modelSwell forecast
7-day forecastWater quality
5 nearby outfallsUpdated 10:02
Daily score breakdown
This week is looking slightly above average for late April.
Comparing the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Scarborough.
What's driving it
Recent form
Last 3 days of logged conditions.
About Scarborough
Scarborough encompasses two distinct, sweeping bays on the North Yorkshire coast, offering highly dynamic beach break conditions. The bathymetric profile relies entirely on shifting sandbanks, segmented by the prominent castle headland. As northerly groundswells travel down the North Sea, they filter into the bays and interact with the mobile sandbars, creating punchy A-frame peaks. A westerly offshore wind is essential to groom the inherently choppy wave faces and hold up the steep sections. The wave mechanics provide rapid take-offs and fast, carveable left and right-hand walls, occasionally throwing hollow sections on the lower tides. South Bay tends to offer more sheltered, forgiving waves, while North Bay exposes surfers to more direct swell energy and powerful rip currents. Due to the variable nature of the sandbars, the high tidal range, and the cold-water environment, it demands swift pop-ups and solid board control. While smaller summer days accommodate novices, the heavier, more powerful winter swells are best suited for intermediate surfers.
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Create Profile →Frequently asked questions
How often is this page updated?
Current conditions refresh every 6 hours when the cron runs. Hourly data updates every 30 minutes. The 7-day forecast, luck factor, and packing notes are all pre-computed at the same time.
What is the luck factor?
We compare the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Scarborough. The delta tells you whether conditions are shaping up better, worse, or about the same as a typical late April.
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?
Honestly, no. Every break has tide windows, swell directions and reef contours that a global model cannot see. Treat the score as a starting point, then check a local cam.
When is the best time to surf Scarborough?
Check our timing score heatmap above for a week-by-week breakdown combining surf conditions with crowd pressure.