Ham (Scot - North Coast)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Ham is an exposed reef break on the North Coast known for fairly consistent surf that can work at any time of the year. The bottom is rocky and the break is described as hazardous due to rocks, so the entry/exit demands extra care. For wave and session feel, the break is characterized as right-hand and reef-based, with overall wave quality described as good and conditions performing best with southerly (south) winds. The spot is considered exposed with limited natural protection from wind/swell. Conditions are strongly tied to cold-water readiness. Water temperatures are consistently cold across the year (with winter values around 10°C from the provided spot details; another dataset indicates even colder ranges around 6–8°C in February), and winter full gear is recommended. A heavy winter wetsuit with a hood, gloves, and boots is specifically advised, with additional attention to slippery rocky shoreline points. Seasonally, February is identified as the best month, and the spot is also described as working across the wider year. Monthly conditions were summarized with a distribution of blown vs. clean days (48% blown, 44% clean), reinforcing that planning around wind quality matters at this location.
- Exposed reef break with consistent surf potential year-round
- Best with south winds and works across tides
- Rock hazards and cold-water requirements are central to planning
- Exposed reef break with fairly consistent surf year-round.
- Southern winds are key; sessions are supported by a winter-wetsuit setup.
- Rocks and cold-water exposure make sessions demanding.
- Remote access and limited rescue coverage mean you need strong self-sufficiency.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S
- Offshore directions
- S
- Reliability
- 48% blown, 44% clean monthly (per the monthly stats provided)
- Best Months
- February
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Reef — Reef/rock composition described for the spot.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium in the provided dataset.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline entry.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Usually very quiet with low crowd levels due to its remote location.
Autumn and winter months see the highest frequency of Atlantic storms and rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break with fairly consistent surf year-round; works at any tide.
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open/exposed reef setup.
- Wind Effect
- Best with south winds; offshore wind from the south can groom the waves.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant swell but becomes heavy and challenging.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ham (Scot - North Coast) in the full forecast view.
Ham (Scot - North Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–41 ktsGusts 67 kts
- Direction
- SW222°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2541 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–7.6 m8s period
- Temperature
- 3–12 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ham (Scot - North Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–41 kts, peaking around 41 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 67 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.8–7.6 m with a period of about 8s. 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
- Cold water temperatures
- Remote location
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence indicated in the provided data.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional coverage is described as limited via Coastguard services and RNLI lifeboats.
- Emergency Info
- Regional rescue availability is limited, with emergency services reached via 999 or 112.
Rules of the spot
Surf in winter cold-water conditions only with appropriate exposure protection and caution around rocky entries/exits.
- Avoid sessions without full cold-water exposure protection.
- Use a winter wetsuit with a neoprene hood, gloves, and boots due to cold water conditions.
- Be cautious of rocky entry and exit points, which can be slippery.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Thurso
- Nearest Town
- Dunnet
- Nearest Airport
- Wick John O'Groats Airport (WIC) approximately 25km away; Inverness Airport (INV) approximately 180km away (regional baseline).
- Parking
- Limited informal parking available near the shoreline (as provided).
- Public Transport
- Limited regional bus services and a train terminus at Thurso; a private vehicle is essential for accessing most spots (regional baseline).
- Access
- Accessible via minor roads leading towards Ham and Brough from the A836 (as provided).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and hotels in Thurso and Dunnet (as provided).
- Food & Drink
- Shops and pubs are located in the nearby town of Thurso (as provided).
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment is available through local surf schools in Thurso, though specialized windsurf or kite rental is limited (regional baseline).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Caithness North Coast is known for rugged coastal scenery and outdoor culture, with major regional viewpoints and landmark attractions along the route to/from the north coast.
The most northerly point of mainland Britain, offering dramatic cliff views and bird watching.
Famous coastal village known as one end of the longest distance between two inhabited British points.
A world-famous scenic driving route passing directly through the region.
Renowned seafood restaurant located in nearby Scrabster.
A massive sandy beach for families, walking, and wildlife spotting.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ham (Scot - North Coast)?
The best overall months at Ham (Scot - North Coast) are February.
Which wind directions work at Ham (Scot - North Coast)?
Ham (Scot - North Coast) works with S winds. Offshore directions are S.
What skill level is Ham (Scot - North Coast) suitable for?
Ham (Scot - North Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.