Burghead Bay (Moray Firth)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Burghead Bay is a sandy Moray Firth beach aimed primarily at wind-powered sports, especially kitesurfing. The bay is described as having small to medium-wave conditions with cloudy water, and the launch is generally easy thanks to the broad sandy shoreline. Access is typically managed from the Inverness-to-Elgin road, turning off toward Burghead; parking choices differ depending on whether you expect WNW or SW winds. For wind, the best directions are consistently cited as SW and WNW, aligning with the Atlantic-weather-driven, predominantly frontal character of the region. Spot-level notes emphasize that SW-to-WNW flow from the village end can create turbulence near the mole and rocks, so riders should be deliberate about launch positioning. Gusts are described as moderate, and wind strength is reported in a low-to-moderate range for the kiting window (with some sources listing broader knot ranges). Autumn and winter are also described as generally more consistent due to prevailing low-pressure systems. Safety considerations are central at Burghead Bay. Hazards include rocks and the harbour mole structure, and strong currents are noted near the Findhorn entrance at the west end. A specific guidance point is to avoid launching in SW to WNW winds from the village end due to turbulence near the mole and rocks, and to avoid the harbour entrance at the eastern end; keep clear of swimmers and beach users near access points. Lifeguards are not documented, and rescue availability is described as limited in the regional context. Water and clothing conditions are cold and should be planned for year-round. Spot-level data and baseline regional guidance both indicate water rarely drops below about 7°C and is typically around 10°C on average, with summer warming to roughly the low teens. Wetsuit advice ranges from a minimum full suit with warm coverage in colder months to a lighter 4/3mm option in peak summer—however, shorty use is cautioned against. Surfing is possible as a beach break that can work on North to NE swell directions, with wave quality described as average and conditions capable of closing out on very large swells.
- Long sandy bay with easy beach launch and changing access with tide.
- Best wind directions: SW and WNW; moderate gustiness.
- Key hazards: mole and rocks; turbulence near the village end in SW to WNW winds.
- Cold water year-round; wetsuits required well beyond summer.
- Long sandy bay with easy launches and plenty of space, changing with tide.
- Frequent west to northwest wind options suitable for kitesurfing; winds can be consistent in autumn/winter.
- Surf is described as reliable as a beach break on suitable North/NE swells, with generally semi-sheltered character.
- Cold water temperatures (wetsuit required most of the year).
- Rocks and mole hazards near the harbour/mole areas; turbulence can occur near the village end in SW to WNW winds.
- Strong currents reported near the Findhorn entrance at the west end.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, WNW, W, NW
- No-go directions
- SW, WNW
- Wind Range
- 0–19 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Predominantly weather-driven winds with strong frontal influence; spot-level sources describe a gradient-type pattern.
- Reliability
- Consistent during autumn and winter months when low-pressure systems are active (provider info).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- Turbulence near the village end in south-westerly winds, influenced by the mole and shoreline features (provider info).
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach (provider + ground truth).
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Spot-level sources describe small to medium-wave conditions; provider physical section notes small-wave conditions in the bay.
- Launch
- Medium — Medium beach with gentle slope suitable for self-launch (provider + physical).
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch described as easy with spacious sandy access.
Through the year
Generally quiet, though Roseisle can be popular with walkers and families during summer weekends (provider info).
Winter (more frequent storms October–February; rain common throughout the year).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Long sandy bay with kitesurfing options that can suit freeride and wave riding; moderate-to-cold-water conditions require appropriate thermal protection (provider + ground truth).
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Excellent for bump and jump or wave riding depending on swell; large sandy beach makes rigging easier (provider info).
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Suitable for wingfoiling, particularly near Roseisle where water can be more sheltered from larger swells (provider info).
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Provider info indicates foil-friendly.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
A reliable beach break that can work on North or North-East swells; generally more sheltered than more exposed North Coast stretches (provider info).
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Provider info indicates mid tide.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Provider info describes it as generally more sheltered than exposed North Coast areas.
- Wind Effect
- South or South-West winds provide offshore grooming for the waves (provider info).
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells exceeding 3 meters (provider info).
- Wave Quality
- Average — Provider info indicates average wave quality.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Provider info indicates moderate wave power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Provider info indicates peeling shape.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Provider info indicates medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Provider info indicates medium ride length.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Burghead Bay (Moray Firth) in the full forecast view.
Burghead Bay (Moray Firth) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–33 ktsGusts 59 kts
- Direction
- SW222°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2533 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–2.5 m4s period
- Temperature
- 3–13 °C
Over the next 7 days, Burghead Bay (Moray Firth) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–33 kts, peaking around 33 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 59 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.1–2.5 m with a period of about 4s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- mole
- strong currents near the Findhorn entrance at the west end
- cold water temperatures
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards documented.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context indicates limited rescue availability supported by nearby RNLI stations; no dedicated on-spot rescue base specified.
- Emergency Info
- No specific local rescue base explicitly documented for this exact bay; emergency services can be reached by dialing 999 or 112. Nearest major A&E: Dr. Gray's Hospital in Elgin (provider info).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism friction reported.
Rules of the spot
Avoid launching in SW to WNW winds from the village end due to turbulence near the mole and rocks. Avoid the harbour entrance at the eastern end of the bay; keep clear of swimmers and beach users near main access points.
- For WNW winds, use the Roseisle parking for the best access point.
- For SW winds, use parking near the camper van site at the Burghead end.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Elgin
- Nearest Town
- Burghead
- Nearest Airport
- Inverness Airport (~40 km west)
- Parking
- For WNW winds: Roseisle parking (paid, £1 in summer). For SW winds: parking next to the camper van site near the Burghead end (provider + ground truth).
- Public Transport
- Local bus services connect coastal villages to Elgin and Inverness, but a car is recommended for transporting sports equipment (regional context).
- Access
- From Inverness east on A96 towards Elgin; before Elgin turn to Burghead. The bay is southwest of Burghead. For WNW winds park at Roseisle (paid parking reported as £1 during summer); for SW winds park next to the camper van site (provider + ground truth).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Accommodation across the surrounding coastal villages including campsites and guesthouses, with options in Findhorn and Burghead (regional context + provider).
- Food & Drink
- Cafes and local pubs are located within Burghead town (provider info).
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental availability is noted primarily through schools in the Findhorn area; kitesurfing school rental is noted as not available with Moray Firth Kiteboarding (regional context).
- Gear Storage
- Limited public gear storage; most riders store equipment at accommodation or in personal vehicles (regional context).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Burghead–Findhorn stretch is a scenic coastal area blending historic Pictish heritage with nearby Speyside whisky experiences and wildlife viewing, with natural coastal scenery suitable for low-impact outdoor activities.
A world-famous trail through Speyside visiting several historic distilleries.
Showcases history of the largest Pictish fort in Scotland and the unique burning of the Clavie tradition.
The ruins of a 13th-century cathedral known as the 'Lantern of the North'.
Burghead Fort and Pictish stone carvings.
Bottlenose dolphins are often visible from the shore in the Moray Firth.
Popular coastal pub in Findhorn known for seafood and local ales.
Pine-shaded walking trails, BBQ pits, and direct beach access.
Quiet sandy beach suited for walking and rock-pooling at low tide.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Burghead Bay (Moray Firth)?
The best overall months at Burghead Bay (Moray Firth) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Burghead Bay (Moray Firth)?
Burghead Bay (Moray Firth) works with SW, WNW, W, NW winds. No-go directions are SW, WNW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Burghead Bay (Moray Firth)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Burghead Bay (Moray Firth): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 0–19 kts.
What skill level is Burghead Bay (Moray Firth) suitable for?
Burghead Bay (Moray Firth) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.