Dunnet Bay
United Kingdom · Atlantic Europe
Right now
RainWind and swell direction
Swell: 0.5m NNW
Wind: 6 km/h S (offshore)
Beach faces: N
Very light wind. Expect glassy, clean conditions.
Swell is arriving at a great angle for this beach.
Today hour by hour
Updated 10:16Expected crowds
Prediction model v15amDawn patrol territory
7amMidweek quiet
Next 7 days
Forecast via Open-MeteoWhat to pack
- Cold water (10°C). 5/4mm wetsuit, booties and gloves.
- Standard shortboard conditions.
- Rain jacket for between sessions.
Today's briefing
0.8m swell at 8s. Moderate winds. Water temperature 9°C.
AI-generated summary for Dunnet Bay. Always check local reports before heading out.
Forecast accuracy at Dunnet Bay
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 5am (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 forecastDaily score breakdown
This week is looking slightly below average for late April.
Comparing the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Dunnet Bay.
What's driving it
Recent form
Last 3 days of logged conditions.
About Dunnet Bay
Dunnet Bay is an expansive, sheltered beach break situated on the northern coast of Scotland. The seafloor features a broad, gently sloping crescent of highly compacted sand. Because the bay faces north-west, the prominent headlands heavily filter the extreme violence of raw North Atlantic winter storms, allowing more organised, moderate swell energy to enter the bay. The location operates optimally on a north-westerly groundswell paired with a south-easterly offshore wind. The gradual sandy gradient ensures the waves break with a soft, spilling profile, generating highly manageable A-frame peaks. The forgiving mechanics, combined with the structural protection from extreme weather, make Dunnet Bay highly suitable for intermediate surfers. It provides predictable walls for carving manoeuvres, although the frigid water temperatures demand premium neoprene insulation and robust physical endurance to maintain core warmth while waiting for sets in the harsh northern latitudes.
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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 Dunnet Bay. 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 Dunnet Bay?
Check our timing score heatmap above for a week-by-week breakdown combining surf conditions with crowd pressure.