Ness Point (Point of Ness)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Chop, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Ness Point is presented as a reef/point break with powerful surf quality when a decent west or west-northwest swell arrives and the wind is from the East (offshore). The wave breaks over shallow rocky bottom and can become heavy and challenging as swell increases, with the added danger of strong/dangerous rips. Because the water is shallow near the takeoff and the entry/exit is rocky and slippery, riders are advised to be cautious and to consider local experience before committing.
- Best around high tide
- East winds are offshore and key for rideable conditions
- West/northwest swell direction is repeatedly associated with the best surf
- Powerful, fast, walling sections over shallow reef
- Best when conditions line up: powerful, fast, walling surf
- High tide can significantly improve the ride by providing more water over the reef
- Offshore east winds are a key factor for cleaner, more rideable conditions
- Typically uncrowded/quiet
- Remote and exposed with shallow, rocky takeoff
- Strong/dangerous rips and fast-moving tidal currents near the headland
- Not for beginners; can be heavy and fickle
- Rocky entry/exit and presence of harbor shipping lanes increase risk
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Wind described as East (offshore) with seasonal patterns varying by month; some sources also describe it as gradient.
- Reliability
- Moderate for surfing conditions (also with a monthly blown/clean/small split).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Also described with a blown/clean/small monthly split (blownier months: 45% blown; 26% clean; 29% small).
- Best Months
- May, September, October, November, December, April, August
- Shadow Zones
- Sheltered from heavy West winds by the cliffside.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky reef/stone takeoff with boulders and sharp edges.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium wave size noted; can become very heavy on larger swells.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — One source describes the water as chop; windy/blown conditions are common enough that blown vs clean percentages are tracked.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry near the harbor wall.
Through the year
Quiet on weekdays; small groups of local experts on prime weekend swells.
Frequent storms and high rainfall from October through February (also described as winter months October–March in parts of the region).
By sport
What to expect for each.
A remote, exposed point/pier-style break with rocky/shallow takeoff. When conditions line up, it produces long, fast walling rides (left- or right-hand descriptions vary across sources) over a shallow reef/rock bottom; it is heavy, shallow, and can be fickle. Best on high tide with east offshore winds and a decent west/northwest swell.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW, WNW
- Swell Height
- 1.2–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — High tide is repeatedly recommended for more water over the reef.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed headland/point break; wind/wave exposure is significant.
- Wind Effect
- Best when winds are from the East (offshore). South-East winds can also be offshore; South can make it cross-shore.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size and becomes more challenging as swell increases; can be excellent if heavy but also increases risk due to shallowness and rips.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Often described as good; can become excellent when heavy and groomed.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful and can be high-velocity over shallow reef.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling section(s), primarily walling.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast walling ride.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can deliver long walling rides; on heavier/better conditions can extend further.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Sources describe rides from about 50–100 meters and up to around 100 meters on larger days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ness Point (Point of Ness) in the full forecast view.
Ness Point (Point of Ness) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–41 ktsGusts 68 kts
- Direction
- SW221°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2541 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–7.9 m8s period
- Temperature
- 6–12 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ness Point (Point of Ness) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–41 kts, peaking around 41 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 68 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.7–7.9 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
- dangerous rips
- strong rips
- shallow rocky reef / shallow slab-stone rock bottom
- sharp boulders and rocks
- slippery rocky entry and exit
- shipping lanes/harbor traffic
- danger of hitting the bottom when heavy
- exposed conditions near the headland
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue coverage reported as limited for the wider area; no specific local rescue unit directly at the spot reported.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities reported in Thurso; emergency services via 999 or 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Local surfers may be present on prime weekend swells; access/behavior issues have previously led to revocation of access.
Rules of the spot
Park respectfully; do not damage property.
- Access via private farmland only.
- Respectful parking required.
- Avoid surfing in the direct path of ferries entering or leaving Scrabster Harbour.
- Best around high tide to provide more water over the reef.
- Avoid surfing in the direct path of ferries entering or leaving Scrabster Harbour.
- Entry and exit are tricky over slippery rocks; watch local surfers first.
- Access is through private land; parking and access rely on farmer’s goodwill and has been revoked due to incidents in the past.
- Park respectfully in the farm yard.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Dunnet
- Nearest Town
- Dunnet
- Parking
- Parking reported available at the harbor area for a fee or in nearby lay-bys; also described as farm-yard parking requiring respectful behavior.
- Access
- Access through private land; park in a farm yard and be respectful. Access depends on farmer’s goodwill and has been revoked previously due to incidents.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Hotels and guest houses reported around Scrabster and Thurso.
- Food & Drink
- Several seafood restaurants and pubs are located within the Scrabster harbor area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A quiet, rural North Highlands destination focused on outdoor adventure and natural beauty, centered around cold-water surf culture.
The most northerly point of the British mainland with dramatic cliffs and a lighthouse.
Former home of the Queen Mother with gardens and historical tours.
Scenic driving route passing through the Murkle and Dunnet area.
Local hotel and restaurant serving traditional Highlands fare in Dunnet.
Community-managed woodland with trails and sculptures suitable for all ages.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ness Point (Point of Ness)?
The best overall months at Ness Point (Point of Ness) are June, July, August, September, October, November. The best wind months are May, September, October, November, December, April, August.
Which wind directions work at Ness Point (Point of Ness)?
Ness Point (Point of Ness) works with E, ESE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE.
What skill level is Ness Point (Point of Ness) suitable for?
Ness Point (Point of Ness) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.