Chapel Point (Innerwick)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Chapel Point (Innerwick) is an exposed, right-hand point break on the East Lothian coast that tends to deliver reliable surf when the right swell arrives. It works best with a significant North or North-East swell wrapping around the headland, producing peeling waves along the rocky ledge. The break is advanced and technical: the entry is rocky and launch difficulty is described as difficult, with slippery boulders and sharp rocks near the waterline. During larger swells, strong rip currents can form along the point, and the combination of remoteness and limited immediate assistance increases the consequences of mistakes. Wind-wise, West or South-West winds are typically beneficial because they can act offshore and groom the wave faces. North-Easterlies are described as blown out for this spot, so conditions can turn quickly if the wind direction shifts away from the offshore window. For timing, sources point to mid tide as the best match, and local tips emphasize that choosing the right tide helps avoid exposed rocks at low water. Winter and autumn are described as the most consistent periods, and the spot is rarely crowded due to the required swell/wind combination and the walk-in access.
- Right-hand point break that peels along a rocky ledge
- Needs North/ North-East swell to wrap around the headland
- Offshore West or South-West winds groom the wave faces
- Rarely crowded due to advanced requirements
- High-quality right-hand point break with peeling waves along a rocky ledge
- Best conditions come with the right North/ North-East swell wrapping around the headland
- Offshore West to South-West winds can groom the wave faces
- Rarely crowded due to the advanced nature and walk-in access
- Advanced, technical rocky point break with difficult launch/entry
- Strong rip currents can develop during large swells
- Remote feel with no immediate rescue/lifeguards on site
- North-Easterly wind can blow out the wave faces
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WSW
- Offshore directions
- W, WSW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Southwesterly prevailing winds, often with frontal weather systems.
- Reliability
- fair
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February
- Shadow Zones
- The point can be slightly sheltered from strong South-Westerly winds by the rising land.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry point requiring careful timing between sets
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rocky entry point requiring careful timing between sets
Through the year
Rarely crowded due to its advanced nature and the walk-in access
October to February are the wettest/highest-frequency storm months (late autumn and winter)
By sport
What to expect for each.
A powerful right-hand point break near Innerwick. It typically needs a significant North or North-East swell to wrap around the headland, producing peeling waves along a rocky ledge.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is the best match.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore West or South-West winds groom the wave faces; North-Easterlies are blown out.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well, becoming more powerful and challenging as the swell increases.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Long, walling sections when swell is large and clean.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- When the swell is large and clean, waves can provide long, walling sections.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Chapel Point (Innerwick) in the full forecast view.
Chapel Point (Innerwick) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–37 ktsGusts 61 kts
- Direction
- SW226°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2537 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–2.2 m4s period
- Temperature
- 5–14 °C
Over the next 7 days, Chapel Point (Innerwick) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–37 kts, peaking around 37 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 61 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.1–2.2 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
- Sharp rocks
- Slippery entry and exit points
- Strong rip currents can form along the point during large swells
- Remote location with limited immediate assistance
- Sharp rocks and slippery boulders at the entry
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, ask for the Coastguard via 999.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup.
- Timing the entry across the rocks is crucial to avoid being pushed back by the shore break.
- Best surfed on a pushing mid-tide to avoid exposed rocks at low tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Edinburgh
- Nearest Town
- Dunbar
- Nearest Airport
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
- Parking
- Public parking available at Skateraw Beach
- Public Transport
- Train services run from Edinburgh to Dunbar; from there, local buses and taxis provide access to the Innerwick area
- Access
- Access is via a coastal path from the Skateraw Beach parking area, requiring a short walk to the point
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and guesthouses available in the nearby town of Dunbar.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities at the point; cafes and shops are located in Dunbar.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Chapel Point (Innerwick)?
The best overall months at Chapel Point (Innerwick) are October, November, December, January, February. The best wind months are January, February.
Which wind directions work at Chapel Point (Innerwick)?
Chapel Point (Innerwick) works with W, WSW winds. Offshore directions are W, WSW.
What skill level is Chapel Point (Innerwick) suitable for?
Chapel Point (Innerwick) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.