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Surfer riding the waves with lighthouse in the background at Portreath, England.
📷 Keith Uren · Pexels

Northerly Swell

3.9 — based on 17 community signals
4.4 12 species 49 contributors

Northerly Swell is a year-round UK surf spot with consistent Atlantic swells and active community documentation.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entry

At a glance

Activity
surf
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Bottlenose dolphin

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
Northerly Swell location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
8.2 kn
Wave
0.46 m
Water
15°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: WSW (25%)
Now: SW (224°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 3.84m

Today: High 09:00 (+0.82m), Low 02:00 (-1.23m)

+1.3 m0 m-2.5 m
▼ 02:00 · -1.23m ▲ 09:00 · +0.82m ▼ 15:00 · -0.72m ▲ 22:00 · +0.71m Now -0.7m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV2.5 · low Air PM2.53 · good 06:45 19:12
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 18.1 0.62 3 1mm
09-20 16.9 0.56 3 0mm
09-21 12.4 0.46 3 3mm
09-22 9.7 0.46 4 0mm
09-23 17.3 0.58 2 5mm
09-24 14.6 0.84 4 0mm
09-25 14.8 0.86 4 2mm

About this spot

Northerly Swell sits on the UK coast, catching Atlantic swells that work reliably across all seasons. The break attracts surfers looking for consistent waves without the crowds of more famous UK reef and beach breaks. Community members have documented 12 species observations at the site, suggesting healthy marine activity and biodiversity in the surrounding waters. The spot operates outside any marine protected area, giving surfers straightforward access. Year-round swell availability means you can plan trips any month without seasonal restrictions. Local surfers have contributed three community videos showing conditions and wave quality, helping new visitors understand what to expect before paddling out. The area's year-round accessibility makes it reliable for UK-based surfers building experience or chasing consistent Atlantic swell. Marine life observations indicate the waters support active ecosystems, typical of Atlantic-facing British coasts. Whether you're scouting new UK breaks or looking for dependable waves, Northerly Swell delivers consistent opportunities.

📖 Guide: Diving in the United Kingdom: 57 Sites From Wrecks to Seals

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Bottlenose dolphin

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🏄 Surfboard or rental confirmation
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type G · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 403km · ~93kg · €2

FAQ

Can you surf Northerly Swell year-round?

Yes. Northerly Swell receives Atlantic swells throughout all seasons, making it accessible and rideable every month without seasonal closures or dormant periods.

Is Northerly Swell suitable for beginners?

Difficulty data is not available for this break. Check the three community videos and species observation reports to assess conditions, or contact local surf shops for current advice on wave size and suitability.

What marine life is present at Northerly Swell?

Twelve species observations have been documented at the site, confirming active marine ecosystems. Review those records for details on what fish and creatures inhabit the waters around this break.

Do I need permits or permissions to surf here?

Northerly Swell is not located inside a marine protected area, so standard UK beach access rules apply. Always check local bylaws and tide conditions before entering the water.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

2 records · 2 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Halichoerus grypus

Mammalia · Phocidae
GBIF
Last seen:
2 Jan 2026
×1records

Ensis Schumacher, 1817

Bivalvia · Pharidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

North East England Longboarding - Sally McGee from Yonder

Yonder

POV SURF More Mushy Closeouts on the North East Coast UK

Middleagedshred

SUP Surfing North East UK.

JD Foiling

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/4347072753 Is this still here? It has a fixme."

    TheUKHighStreet · 2026-04-17
  • "https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/7282598679 Has Boots closed here? The hygiene rating has been removed."

    TheUKHighStreet · 2025-07-03

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