Cayton Bay Point (Scarborough & Cayton Bay)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Cayton Bay Point is a quite exposed rocky point break on the North Yorkshire coast that can be dependable when a good northerly swell wraps in. It’s described as producing fast rides and, on the right setup, a hollow, reef-overing wave, making it most appropriate for intermediate surfers with the skills to manage rocky line choices. Wind-wise, the spot is reported to work best with west winds, and winds from the west/south west are also described as offshore for grooming. Best months cluster from September through March/early spring, aligning with the more consistent North Sea swell season. Safety is a major consideration: hazards include rocks plus pollution (and in some accounts rip currents and submerged boulders near the point). Local guidance also emphasizes respecting the established lineup hierarchy at the point—when conditions draw visitors, it can get crowded. Before launching, check water quality via local alerts and be cautious on the steep, potentially slippery cliff path to the beach. For equipment, a winter wetsuit is strongly recommended, including a neoprene hood, gloves, and boots; seasonal variation is noted with warmer-water setups typically requiring less insulation. Seasonal lifeguard presence is reported, but rescue availability is described as limited—so plan accordingly and don’t rely on immediate rescue support if you’re unfamiliar with the rocky environment.
- Exposed rocky point-break with dependable surf on northerly swells.
- West/offshore winds can improve wave face conditions.
- Rock and pollution hazards require active risk management.
- Classic point-break character with dependable surf on suitable north swells.
- Offshore winds from the west/south west can help groom the wave face.
- Winter equipment needs are well established (hood/boots/gloves).
- Rocky shoreline and submerged hazards make this a high-consequence spot; conditions can be tough to paddle out on larger swells.
- Water quality/pollution risk is specifically noted as a hazard—check local alerts, especially after rain.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WSW
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW, WSW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind described as frontal-system driven; in practice best when offshore from the west.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported.
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs provide some shelter from northwesterly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky shoreline with mixed/rocky surroundings at the point.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Big — Big-swell working described (up to around 10ft on suitable swells).
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky shoreline at the point; sandy beach nearby.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty; steep cliff access and rocky entry zones.
Through the year
Highest in summer and during weekends with good swell.
Winter months see frequent North Sea storms; October to March described as the rainy/stormiest period.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Wider Cayton Bay is used for kitesurfing, but the point itself is described as unsuitable for most kiters due to significant rocky hazards.
Possible in the wider bay during southerly or northerly winds, but the point is primarily a surfing location with restricted space and rocks.
Exposed left-hand point break that can start on big swells, producing a fast hollow ride over a rocky reef. Also described as a classic right-hand point break depending on swell/approach.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Reported as low tide preferred; also works best when tides push from low to mid.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Shelter varies; one source describes exposed, while another describes semi-sheltered at the point itself.
- Wind Effect
- Best with west wind; offshore winds from the West and South West groom the wave face.
- Bigger Swell
- Works up to around 10ft on big swells; handles larger swells better than some nearby bay beach breaks, but can become heavy and difficult to paddle out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Generally good quality; can be dependable when a clean northerly swell wraps the point.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Wave power varies by conditions; reported as powerful for big-swell setups.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Fast, hollow ride over a rocky reef; alternatively described as peeling with cleaner offshore grooming.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Point break description notes a fast, hollow ride; another provider indicates medium peel speed depending on direction/tide.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can be long when sections connect; up to ~150 meters when conditions line up.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer rides up to 150 meters when the sections connect on a solid Northerly swell (typical reported ride length ~100m).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cayton Bay Point (Scarborough & Cayton Bay) in the full forecast view.
Cayton Bay Point (Scarborough & Cayton Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–27 ktsGusts 47 kts
- Direction
- SW221°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2427 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.9 m5s period
- Temperature
- 5–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cayton Bay Point (Scarborough & Cayton Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–27 kts, peaking around 27 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 47 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.3–1.9 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- pollution
- rip currents
- submerged boulders
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence reported; group baseline notes lifeguarded conditions typically from May to September across the main bays.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as none at the point, with regional baseline indicating limited rescue services and Coastguard year-round for maritime emergencies.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is Scarborough General Hospital. In an emergency dial 999 or 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Local lineup hierarchy; respect established order at the point.
Rules of the spot
Respect the local lineup; the point can be crowded and has an established hierarchy.
- Works best on a pushing tide from low to mid.
- Check the water quality via local alerts as the bay can suffer from runoff.
- The walk down the cliff path is steep and can be slippery when wet.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Osgodby
- Nearest Town
- Scarborough
- Nearest Airport
- Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) and Humberside Airport (HUY) (regional baseline)
- Parking
- Park at Cayton traffic lights or use the pay carpark at Cayton Bay surf shop (£2 all day before 4pm, £1 after 4pm).
- Public Transport
- Central railway station in Scarborough with direct links to York and Hull, alongside local buses (regional baseline)
- Access
- Go through and past Scarborough on Filey Road and park at Cayton traffic lights. Walk down the footpath past holiday caravans to reach the beach. A pay carpark is available at the Cayton Bay surf shop area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various campsites and holiday parks are located within walking distance of the cliffs.
- Food & Drink
- A cafe and a pub are located near the top of the cliff path.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at the surf shop near the main car park.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repairs are available at the local surf shop.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A classic British seaside destination centered around Scarborough with coastal walking routes and heritage attractions nearby.
A former medieval Royal fortress on a rugged promontory overlooking the North Sea.
Historic coastal town with Victorian architecture, maritime heritage, and ancient abbey ruins.
A theatre-in-the-round hosting world premieres and classic productions.
Coastal walking via the Cleveland Path.
Large water park with high-speed slides and outdoor heated pools.
Seafront pubs, cafés, and restaurants serving local and coastal cuisine.
Historic venue known for local seafood and maritime history.
An oriental-themed municipal park known for naval warfare reenactments.
Safe sandy beaches with lifeguarded zones and coastal attractions.
An aquarium and seal rescue center showcasing local and tropical marine life.
Famous for sandy beaches, a historic abbey, and the coastal promenade.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cayton Bay Point (Scarborough & Cayton Bay)?
The best overall months at Cayton Bay Point (Scarborough & Cayton Bay) are October, November, December, January, February. The best wind months are September, October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Cayton Bay Point (Scarborough & Cayton Bay)?
Cayton Bay Point (Scarborough & Cayton Bay) works with W, WSW winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW, WSW.
What skill level is Cayton Bay Point (Scarborough & Cayton Bay) suitable for?
Cayton Bay Point (Scarborough & Cayton Bay) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Expert · Windsurfing: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.