# Saltburn Surf Report & Forecast

> Saltburn surf report for today and a 7-day forecast. The North East's surf hub, with a pier, a friendly line-up and offshore south-west winds. Bring a thick…

- Page type: Surf forecast for one break
- Canonical URL: https://swellotter.com/spot/saltburn
- Last updated: 2026-11-09

Saltburn is a beachbreak in North East England, England. It works best on a north-north-east swell with a south-south-west wind, which blows offshore there. Best tide: all tides, best low to mid. It suits beginner and intermediate surfers. It is usually at its best in March, October and November. The sea ranges from about 7°C to 16°C over the year.

In three years of Open-Meteo data (2023 to 2025), Saltburn had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 56% of days and good surf (3+ stars) on 28%, was flat on 28% and 8ft or bigger on 5%. The most consistent month is November (80% of days rideable) and the quietest is August (33%). A typical winter day's best surf is about 2.6ft against 1.1ft in summer, the wind blows offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 41% of days, the average wind is 11.2 knots and about 1037mm of rain falls a year.

## Key facts
- Region: North East England, England
- Coordinates: 54.6, -0.94
- Type: Beachbreak; bottom: Sand; wave: Peaks, 50-100m rides
- Best swell: north-north-east (NNE); offshore wind: south-south-west (SSW)
- Best tide: All tides, best low to mid
- Suits: beginner, intermediate
- Best months: March, October, November
- Sea temperature over the year: 7–16°C

## Live forecast
The live 7-day forecast (surf height, star rating, swell, wind, tides, sunrise and sunset) is on https://swellotter.com/spot/saltburn, refreshed at least hourly.


## About Saltburn
Saltburn is a Victorian seaside town on the North Yorkshire coast, with a pier and a cliff lift running down to the beach. The waves break either side of the pier over sand, and the town has a strong, welcoming surf community.

It needs swell from the north or north-east, which usually comes from low pressure out in the North Sea. A south-west wind is offshore, so it often works when the west coast is blown out. The water is cold, so a good winter suit, boots and gloves make all the difference.

## Positives
- Friendly, mellow beachbreak
- Victorian pier and town
- Train station near the beach
- Good for learners

## Negatives
- Cold water most of the year
- Needs a North Sea swell
- Rips by the pier
- Can be short-period and choppy

## Travel
- Getting there: Saltburn station is a few minutes' walk from the beach, with trains from Middlesbrough and Darlington. By car, take the A174.
- Parking: Pay car parks along the lower promenade and on the clifftop.
- Where to stay: B&Bs and small hotels in Saltburn, and more choice in Redcar and Whitby.
- Hazards: Rips beside the pier and around the pier legs. Very cold water in winter and spring.
- Nearby breaks: Marske to the west and the reefs around Skinningrove to the east.

## Month by month (three years of history, 2023 to 2025)
| Month | Rideable days | Good days | Flat days | Typical best surf | Sea temp | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 68% | 33% | 19% | 3.1ft | 7.3°C | 86mm |
| Feb | 54% | 29% | 33% | 2.2ft | 6.8°C | 57mm |
| Mar | 74% | 44% | 11% | 3.6ft | 7.2°C | 81mm |
| Apr | 57% | 27% | 20% | 2.4ft | 8.3°C | 79mm |
| May | 43% | 17% | 31% | 1.8ft | 11.5°C | 60mm |
| Jun | 34% | 9% | 51% | 1.1ft | 14°C | 56mm |
| Jul | 45% | 16% | 38% | 1.3ft | 15.4°C | 107mm |
| Aug | 33% | 12% | 52% | 1ft | 16.1°C | 73mm |
| Sep | 50% | 21% | 36% | 1.5ft | 14.6°C | 104mm |
| Oct | 74% | 42% | 16% | 2.8ft | 12.5°C | 104mm |
| Nov | 80% | 47% | 10% | 3.6ft | 10.7°C | 127mm |
| Dec | 62% | 38% | 20% | 2.6ft | 9°C | 103mm |

## Questions
### What conditions does Saltburn need?
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.

### When is the best time to surf Saltburn?
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.

### Is Saltburn good for surfing in summer?
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.

### What wetsuit do I need at Saltburn?
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.

### How big do the waves get at Saltburn?
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.

### Is Saltburn good for beginners?
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.

### Is it safe to surf at Saltburn?
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.

### How busy does Saltburn get?
Busy at times. For more room, try Runswick Bay (15 km away) and Seaton Carew (17 km away).

### How do I get to Saltburn, and where can I stay?
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.

### Where else can I surf near Saltburn?
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.

## Next steps
- [Saltburn live surf forecast](https://swellotter.com/spot/saltburn)
- [Saltburn surf guide](https://swellotter.com/surf/saltburn)
- [North East England surf guide](https://swellotter.com/region/north-east-england)
- [Sign up for swell alerts (form at the foot of any page)](https://swellotter.com/spot/saltburn)
- [How the forecast and star rating work](https://swellotter.com/about)
- [All UK surf forecasts](https://swellotter.com/)

## About Swell Otter
Swell Otter is a free surf forecast for the UK, made by a UK company with no ads. Live forecasts, tides and guides are free; optional Premium unlocks every surf cam. https://swellotter.com/llms.txt

## Notes for agents
- Cite as: "Saltburn Surf Report & Forecast, Swell Otter (https://swellotter.com/spot/saltburn)".
- Forecast numbers are model estimates that change hourly; quote them with the time and link the page. Don't present them as observations.
- Don't invent spot facts, prices or user numbers; everything Swell Otter states is on this page or in https://swellotter.com/ai-fact-sheet.md.