Saltburn

Saltburn works best on a north-north-east swell with a south-south-west wind, which blows offshore there. It is a beachbreak with shifting peaks over sand, and rides run about 50 to 100m. Best tide: All tides, best low to mid. In 2023–2025 the wind blew offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 41% of days, and Saltburn had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 56% of days.

November is the most reliable month at Saltburn: in 2023–2025 it had good surf (3+ stars) on 47% of days. The best run of months is March, October and November, and autumn (September to November) is the strongest season overall. Offshore winds are most common in December, when they blow for 4+ daylight hours on 54% of days. For good winter days, Saltburn ranks 5th of the 17 North East breaks we track. Autumn pairs the warmest water with the first big swells, and 37% of autumn days were good.

Often not: Saltburn was flat on 47% of June to August days in 2023–2025, so keep a summer trip flexible. Good (3+ star) days made up 12% of summer, and July was the best summer month (45% rideable). The sea reaches about 16°C by late summer. For summer consistency it ranks 8th of the 17 North East breaks we track.

At Saltburn you need a 5/4 from November to May, a 4/3 in June and from September to October and a 3/2 from July to August. Wear boots through the 5/4 months, and add a hood and gloves from December to April, when the sea is under 10°C. In February, the coldest month, Saltburn had good surf on 29% of days, against 12% in August. The sea is coldest in February at about 7°C and warmest in August at about 16°C, while the air reaches about 9°C on a February afternoon.

On a typical day the best surf at Saltburn is about 2.6ft in winter and 1.1ft in summer. It was 8ft or bigger on 5% of days in 2023–2025, most often in November. It was flat on 28% of days, most often in August.

Yes. Saltburn is one of the better places to learn in Teesside, with sand underfoot and gentle whitewater on small days. The gentlest months that still have surf are May, July and September.

Yes when it's small, but know this. Rips beside the pier and around the pier legs. Very cold water in winter and spring. We know of no lifeguard cover, so never surf it alone.

Busy at times. For more room, try Runswick Bay (15 km away) and Seaton Carew (17 km away).

Saltburn station is a few minutes' walk from the beach, with trains from Middlesbrough and Darlington. By car, take the A174. Where to stay: B&Bs and small hotels in Saltburn, and more choice in Redcar and Whitby.

When Saltburn isn't working, these nearby breaks often are: Seaton Carew (17 km away) is offshore in a west wind. Also close by: Marske to the west and the reefs around Skinningrove to the east.