Dalmore Bay (Carloway)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Dalmore Bay (Carloway) is an exposed surfing spot on the Isle of Lewis, with a reef-influenced setup and consistently challenging conditions shaped by North Atlantic weather. Surf can be found year-round, but April is highlighted as the best month—though clean, usable waves are not guaranteed because conditions are often blown out by wind. The spot is most likely to work when northwest swells line up with offshore northeast winds. When wind and swell coincide, the waves can produce fast, hollow sections and longer rides across the bay area. Wave size can range into the 1.0–3.0 meter window when conditions are favorable, with typical ride lengths reported around 50–150 meters. Safety is a major concern: the area is known for very strong and sometimes notorious rip currents, alongside reef/submerged-rock hazards and heavy shore break potential. Local guidance emphasizes assessing the water before entering and favoring mid to high tides when waves tend to be cleaner. Crowds are generally low to rare, making it well-suited for experienced surfers who are comfortable handling remote, cold-water, dynamic conditions. Expect winter-type cold-water gear for most of the year.
- Offshore northeast winds improve wave cleanliness
- Best month cited as April (spring), with clean conditions reported at lower frequency
- Powerful Atlantic swell with the potential for hollow, fast sections
- Notoriously dangerous rip currents
- Exposed, Atlantic-quality surfing with consistent swell potential
- Typically best with offshore northeast winds and northwest swell
- Rarely crowded overall
- Very dangerous rip currents
- Reef/submerged rocks increase the consequence of mistakes
- Wind can frequently blow out in April (clean waves only a quarter of the time)
- Remote location with limited on-the-ground support
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- E, NE
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind is dependent on weather systems and arrives with frontal patterns; negligible thermal influence in the region.
- Reliability
- 57% blown out in April; only 25% clean in April
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts — Reported as 57% blown out in April; clean conditions are much less frequent (25%).
- Best Months
- April
- Shadow Zones
- Significant wind turbulence can occur around the cliffs/surrounding headlands.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Reef — Sources conflict on composition: some describe reef/reef-bottom surf, others describe a sandy bay—treat the bottom as reef-influenced with reef hazards.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Surf can hold significant size; smaller windows may still work depending on swell and wind.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Turbulence and blowout risk around April conditions and exposed cliff setting.
- Launch
- Small — Small sandy bay between steep cliffs/rocky outcrops.
Through the year
Generally quiet; can get busy with local surfers on weekends during a good swell.
October to March often see frequent Atlantic storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break with consistent surf potential. Works across various tide levels, but clean surf is more likely around mid to high tide.
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Best conditions often occur at mid to high tide for cleaner waves.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed setting; exposed reef/bay with limited shelter from Atlantic conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore northeast winds; East and Southeast winds provide cleaner offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size but can become very heavy and dangerous with strong rips.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Good to excellent wave quality depending on wind and swell.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful Atlantic swell.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Often hollow/fast sections across the bay on larger sets.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast, hollow sections are possible on good days.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can produce long rides across the bay on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical ride lengths can be around 50–150 meters when conditions are favorable.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Dalmore Bay (Carloway) in the full forecast view.
Dalmore Bay (Carloway) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–43 ktsGusts 70 kts
- Direction
- SW226°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2543 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.5–8.5 m9s period
- Temperature
- 6–12 °C
Over the next 7 days, Dalmore Bay (Carloway) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–43 kts, peaking around 43 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 70 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 1.5–8.5 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- Reef bottom
- Strong rip currents
- Submerged rocks
- Cold water
- Heavy shore break
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported on-site.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional emergency services are available; rescue coverage is limited and remote.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Stornoway.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localism reported as none; however, the area can still be remote.
Rules of the spot
Rip currents can be very dangerous—assess conditions before entering, and be prepared for strong rips around the reef/bay.
- The rip currents here are notorious; always assess the water before entering.
- Best surfing conditions are typically found on a mid to high tide when waves tend to be cleaner.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Stornoway
- Nearest Town
- Carloway
- Nearest Airport
- Stornoway Airport (SYY)
- Parking
- Limited parking available in a small lot near the local cemetery.
- Public Transport
- Occasional bus services connect Carloway to Stornoway, but a car is essential for transporting gear.
- Access
- Accessible via the B8017 road; follow signs for Dalmore.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Self-catering cottages and small guest houses in Carloway and Gearrannan areas.
- Food & Drink
- Local shops and small cafes are available in Carloway, a short drive away.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available through mobile surf schools or in Stornoway; on-site rental is generally not available.
- Gear Storage
- Limited; usually provided by local accommodation or surf schools.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs available in Stornoway; no specialist wind-sport repair shops on-site.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Carloway Coast offers a raw and immersive experience focused on rugged shoreline scenery and nearby Hebridean history.
An iconic Neolithic stone circle dating back over 5,000 years.
One of the best-preserved Iron Age defensive towers in Scotland.
Long-distance walking and cycling route passing through the area.
Traditional hotel restaurant serving local seafood and highland dishes.
A restored village of traditional thatched croft houses.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Dalmore Bay (Carloway)?
The best overall months at Dalmore Bay (Carloway) are April.
Which wind directions work at Dalmore Bay (Carloway)?
Dalmore Bay (Carloway) works with NE winds. Offshore directions are E, NE.
What skill level is Dalmore Bay (Carloway) suitable for?
Dalmore Bay (Carloway) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.