Carnoustie
- Freeride, Big air
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Carnoustie is a regional coastal spot on the Angus coast (just north of Dundee) where riders commonly get a mix of flatter water and small waves, depending on tide and swell. Conditions are typically described as shallow and clean, with a sandy medium-sized beach. One source notes that the presence of groynes helps define launch areas and can create flat sections between them at certain tides, while small waves can develop further out during swell events. For wind sports, the best season is consistently given as April through October, with winter described as the wettest/stormier period. Wind is generally characterized as frontal, with winds varying across southwesterly to southerly and easterly directions; one source also flags moderate wind reliability and moderate gustiness. Typical wind strength is described as roughly 15–25 knots, and kitesurfing is positioned as the best overall choice for freeride and bump-and-jump style riding. Safety is a key consideration at Carnoustie. Riders should be ready for sudden gust surges (‘freak squalls’) produced by a chimney-effect wind situation, and should also watch for salmon nets. In addition, groynes and submerged rocks can be an issue—particularly at lower tides—so launch and landing require attention. Gear-wise, a year-round wetsuit approach is emphasized. One source provides summer guidance (4/3mm in June–August) and colder-season guidance (5/4mm plus boots/hood/gloves outside mid/late summer). Surfing is described as mainly a soft, mushy beach break that tends to be short and average-quality, with onshore south winds tending to add chop.
- Frontal wind season runs April to October
- Freeride and bump-and-jump potential, with small waves during swell
- Flat water can appear between groynes at certain tides
- Important ‘freak squalls’ and salmon-net awareness
- Sandy medium-sized beach with clean water
- Can offer freeride and bump-and-jump conditions
- Potential for flat water between groynes at certain tides
- Season runs April through October
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, S, SE, E
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Fronts from the North Atlantic; prevailing southwesterlies regionally, with winds varying around SW/S/SE/E depending on conditions.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Sources describe gusty/sudden gust behavior; one source also flags ‘freak squalls’ from a chimney effect.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Dir: E, SE, S, SW, W · Regional thermal sea breezes can occur on warm summer afternoons, but are stated as weaker and less reliable than frontal winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Waves described as small; small wave development can occur during swell events.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Chop described; onshore south winds can make conditions choppy.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach area located between groynes (launch area defined by groynes).
Through the year
Generally quiet, used mainly by local riders.
Autumn and winter months see the most frequent storms and rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Offers freeride and bump-and-jump conditions; flat water can appear between groynes at certain tides, with small waves further out during swell events. Best for freeride and small-wave riding.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for windsurfing with sandy beaches and miles of sands; groynes require careful navigation during launch and landing. Good bump and jump conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Foilable at mid to high tide when there is enough depth to clear groynes and rocks; foil friendly is limited.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil friendly described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Mainly a beach break; can be small and fun in the right conditions on larger swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Optimal tide described as mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastal conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Onshore winds from the south can make it choppy.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality described as average.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Wave power described as soft.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Wave shape described as mushy.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Peel speed described as slow.
- Ride Length
- Short — Ride length described as short.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Carnoustie in the full forecast view.
Carnoustie wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–33 ktsGusts 57 kts
- Direction
- SW224°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2533 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–2.4 m4s period
- Temperature
- 4–12 °C
Over the next 7 days, Carnoustie is forecast for daytime winds of 5–33 kts, peaking around 33 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 57 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.1–2.4 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
- freak squalls (sudden gusts from chimney effect)
- salmon nets
- wooden groynes
- submerged rocks
- tidal currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — One source indicates no lifeguard presence.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level source states no rescue availability; regional context notes RNLI lifeboats cover the Angus coast.
- Emergency Info
- Rescue availability is stated as no at the spot level in one source; regionally lifeboats cover the Angus coast. In emergencies call 999 or 112. Ninewells Hospital in Dundee has an A&E department.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — One source indicates no localism concerns.
Rules of the spot
Be alert for sudden gusts (‘freak squalls’) and watch for salmon nets / submerged obstructions (groynes and rocks at lower tides). Ride and launch with enough beach for safe setup; at high tide the available beach can be limited.
- Be ready for sudden gusts (‘freak squalls’).
- Watch out for salmon nets.
- Consider riding at mid to low tide so there is enough beach for launching and you can clearly see the groynes; at high tide there may be very little beach and you can be pushed toward the sea wall.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Dundee
- Nearest Town
- Carnoustie
- Parking
- Parking is available along the seafront and near the local leisure center.
- Access
- Drive east from Dundee to Carnoustie. The spot is just north of Dundee on the Angus coast.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Local hotels and guesthouses are available within the town.
- Food & Drink
- Several cafes and pubs are located within walking distance of the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited rental is mentioned regionally; spot-level equipment rental is not clearly confirmed.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Carnoustie and the surrounding Angus coast offer a mix of coastal scenery and nearby town attractions, supported by Dundee’s museums and amenities.
World-renowned championship golf course that has hosted the Open Championship multiple times.
Historical ruins famous for the Declaration of Arbroath, located just north along the coast.
Scotland’s first design museum, in a striking modern building on the Dundee waterfront.
Scenic walking trail with dramatic views of red sandstone cliffs and sea caves.
Upscale dining with views over the links and the sea.
Large beachfront play area and park suitable for children.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Carnoustie?
The best overall months at Carnoustie are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Carnoustie?
Carnoustie works with SW, S, SE, E winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Carnoustie?
Recommended equipment sizes at Carnoustie: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Carnoustie suitable for?
Carnoustie suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.