Swell OtterBest time to surf in the UK month by month, region by region
When to surf in the UK, from three years of surf history at 13 breaks. The best month is January, summer is the flattest season and autumn is the sweet spot.
The short answer
The UK's surf season runs from autumn to spring. Across the 13 breaks we have three years (2023 to 2025) of history for, January is the best month, with surfable waves on 82% of days. July is the worst, at 44%. If you want waves and warm-ish water together, go in September, October or November.
That's the opposite of what most people expect, because summer is when we go to the beach. But the swell that reaches our coast is made by Atlantic and North Sea storms, and those are winter storms. In summer the storms are weaker and further away, so the sea goes quiet.
Surfable days, month by month
This is the share of days, in each month, that had at least one daylight hour rated 2 stars or more at the breaks we track in each region.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornwall | 85% | 81% | 80% | 68% | 59% | 38% | 33% | 42% | 63% | 69% | 72% | 74% |
| Devon | 78% | 69% | 73% | 61% | 40% | 24% | 25% | 30% | 44% | 62% | 66% | 60% |
| North East England | 71% | 49% | 74% | 58% | 44% | 34% | 44% | 36% | 54% | 68% | 82% | 65% |
| Wales | 90% | 83% | 88% | 78% | 68% | 38% | 46% | 47% | 65% | 76% | 85% | 73% |
| Scotland | 77% | 69% | 79% | 64% | 55% | 55% | 46% | 55% | 69% | 73% | 75% | 77% |
| Northern Ireland | 91% | 94% | 92% | 79% | 69% | 78% | 69% | 84% | 84% | 87% | 92% | 98% |
| UK average | 82% | 74% | 81% | 68% | 56% | 44% | 44% | 49% | 63% | 72% | 78% | 74% |
Share of days with at least one daylight hour rated 2 stars or more, three years (2023 to 2025) of Open-Meteo history, averaged across the breaks we track in each region.
Read across any row and you'll see the same shape: high from late autumn to early spring, a sharp drop from April, and a summer trough. Each region still has its own best month: January in Cornwall, January in Devon, November in North East England, January in Wales, March in Scotland and December in Northern Ireland.
The four seasons
| Winter | Spring | Summer | Autumn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfable days | 77% | 68% | 46% | 71% |
| Good days (3+ stars) | 45% | 33% | 14% | 36% |
| Flat days | 9% | 14% | 28% | 11% |
| 8ft+ days | 21% | 6% | 2% | 9% |
| Sea temperature | 9.3°C | 10.1°C | 15.6°C | 14°C |
UK average across the 13 breaks with three years of history. Seasons are meteorological: winter is December to February.
Winter: the most waves, the coldest water
Winter is when the UK gets its best and biggest surf. It's also when the swell is most likely to be too big: December has the most days with 8ft or bigger surf, about 21% of them. On those days the exposed beaches close out and the sheltered corners and reefs come into their own. The sea is at its coldest in late winter, so you'll want a 5/4 and, in many places, a hood, gloves and boots. Short days are the other catch: around the solstice you get about eight hours of daylight in the south west and less in Scotland.
Spring: fading swell, cold sea
Spring starts with winter's swell and ends with summer's flat spells. The water stays cold well into April, because the sea warms slowly. It's a good season if you watch the forecast and move fast, but on average it has fewer waves than autumn and colder water.
Summer: learn, longboard or travel
In July, only 44% of days were surfable and 27% were flat. Summer is the best time to learn, because small, gentle waves are what a beginner needs, the water is warmest and the beaches have lifeguards. For everyone else, it's longboard and fish season. Some breaks hold up better than others. The most reliable in summer were Whiterocks, Portrush (77%), Thurso East (75%) and Fistral (51%), and the least were Bantham (20%), Porthleven (22%) and Pease Bay (29%).
Autumn: the sweet spot
Autumn is when the Atlantic wakes up and the sea is still warm from the summer. In October 72% of days were surfable with the sea at 14°C on average. Compare that with April: 68% of days, in a sea of 9.7°C. More waves, warmer water and emptier beaches once the school holidays are over.
The Swell Otter take
If you can only take one surf trip a year in the UK, take it in October. If you surf every week, the forecast matters far more than the calendar: a good day in July beats a blown-out day in January, and our star ratings are there to find it.
We'd also say this. The idea of a "surf season" puts a lot of people off going in winter, and winter is when the UK is at its best. With a proper winter suit, a sheltered break for the windy days and an eye on the forecast, December to February is when you'll get the waves you remember. Our wetsuit guide covers what to wear each month.
Summer against winter, break by break
Some beaches go flat for months. Others keep working. This table ranks every break with three years of history by how often it was surfable in summer.
| Break | Summer surfable days | Winter surfable days | Winter 8ft+ days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whiterocks, Portrush | 77% | 94% | 36% |
| Thurso East | 75% | 94% | 46% |
| Fistral | 51% | 90% | 33% |
| Rest Bay, Porthcawl | 46% | 88% | 19% |
| Watergate Bay | 40% | 84% | 30% |
| Freshwater West | 40% | 76% | 37% |
| Tynemouth Longsands | 39% | 62% | 2% |
| Sennen | 37% | 78% | 30% |
| Saltburn | 37% | 61% | 8% |
| Croyde | 32% | 79% | 11% |
| Pease Bay | 29% | 54% | 2% |
| Porthleven | 22% | 68% | 0% |
| Bantham | 20% | 58% | 5% |
Summer is June to August, winter December to February. Three years (2023 to 2025) of history per break.
The pattern is mostly about exposure. Breaks that face straight into the open Atlantic, or catch swell from more than one direction, keep going through the summer. Breaks tucked into bays or facing the North Sea need a proper storm to wake up. If you're booking a summer trip, pick a break near the top of this table and read its guide first. The most consistent of all, Whiterocks, Portrush, suits beginners too, so it's a good bet for a family trip.
Questions
What is the best month to surf in the UK?
January, by our numbers: 82% of days had surfable waves across the 13 breaks with three years of history. October is the best month if you also want warmer water and fewer crowds.
Is there surf in the UK in summer?
Yes, but less of it. In July only 44% of days were surfable on average. Summer is ideal for learning and for longboards, and some exposed breaks stay surprisingly consistent.
When is the surf season in Cornwall?
Roughly September to April. Cornwall gets the most consistent surf in England through the autumn and winter, and its winter sea is the warmest in England. The Cornwall guide has each break month by month.
Is it worth surfing in the UK in winter?
Yes. Winter has the most surfable days of the year and the best quality waves. You need a 5/4 wetsuit, usually with boots, a hood and gloves, and the patience to pick the right break when the wind is up.
Find this week's best days on the UK surf forecasts, or pick a region from the region guides.
Tom Otto
Tom Otto built Swell Otter, the free surf forecast for the UK, and writes its spot guides. Every guide is checked against years of wave, wind and sea temperature history for the break, so the advice matches the numbers and not just the postcards.