Skerrys (Withernsea)
- Shortboard, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Skerrys (Withernsea) is an exposed North Sea beach/reef-style break that tends to work only occasionally and is described as having unreliable waves. When it comes together, it can produce hollow, fast, powerful sections and a fun wave range with both left and right-hand options depending on the setup. Surfing conditions are most favorable when there is enough North Sea swell to start the break (it can begin working at under 1 meter and is described as holding up to around 4 meters or more). Offshore winds from the West/Northwest (and southwest setups) help clean and groom the face, which is when wave quality is most likely to feel solid. Providers also note a preference for mid-tide/rising mid-tide for the best result. Access is described as being from the Lee Avenue beach access area near the promenade, with quick walking access (on the order of minutes). The beach/approach includes wooden groynes and sea defenses; take extra care near these structures. Rip currents/longshore drift can occur during larger swells, and the cold water is a major practical factor in winter and spring. Crowd levels are typically low: weekdays are described as empty, and weekends as having only a few surfers, with only mild local presence. There are no lifeguards indicated for the spot, and rescue availability is considered limited in the wider area; for emergencies dial 999 or 112 and request Coastguard help.
- Exposed spot with powerful, hollow/fast wave sections when conditions align
- Offshore West/Northwest wind cleans and grooms waves
- Close access from Lee Avenue and quick walk from the promenade area
- Exposed, fast/hollow character when it works.
- Rarely crowded/empty on weekdays; few surfers on weekends.
- Good grooming with offshore West/Northwest/Southwest wind.
- Only works occasionally; waves are described as unreliable.
- Surfing near groynes/sea defenses can be hazardous.
- Cold water and possible rip currents are recurring concerns in the colder season.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WNW, SW
- Offshore directions
- N, WNW, W, WSW, SW, S, SSE
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Predominantly weather-system (frontal) driven winds in this part of the North Sea; one provider also described the spot's wind regime as frontal.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gusty conditions are described as moderate.
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March, April
- Thermal Window
- Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec · Dir: N · Thermal influence is described as weak/limited in the region; wind is mainly system-driven rather than a strong daily heating cycle.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Beach composition described as sand; one provider also described mixed composition—likely varies along the access area.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Swell/working size described as starting under 1 meter and holding up to around 4 meters+; providers also summarize typical wave size as medium.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Water described as chop at the spot-level.
- Launch
- Beach access near Lee Avenue with groynes and sea defenses present.
Through the year
Most frequent during weekend winter swells; otherwise rarely crowded.
Winter months often see the most significant weather systems and storm swells (regional baseline).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach/reef-style surfing with both left and right handers depending on the wave pattern and swell direction; tends to require a decent North Sea swell to work.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W, SW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid-tide / rising mid-tide is preferred by providers; one also mentioned low tide as optimal, but mid tide is the more consistently stated preference.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open/exposed North Sea setting; coastal defenses/structure present but overall exposure remains high.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the West and Northwest clean and groom the surface; one provider also noted offshore from southwest works best.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold substantial size up to 4 meters or more; can hold up to ~4 meters or more and still form hollow/fast sections when conditions align.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good/average depending on conditions.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as powerful, hollow/fast when conditions line up.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Providers describe hollow sections; one also mentions hollow/fast character when aligned.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast peeling sections described when conditions align.
- Ride Length
- Short — Rides typically under 50 meters; can extend up to ~150 meters on exceptional days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal short rides are described as under 50 meters; 50–150 meters on better days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Skerrys (Withernsea) in the full forecast view.
Skerrys (Withernsea) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–29 ktsGusts 50 kts
- Direction
- SW221°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2529 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.4 m5s period
- Temperature
- 6–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Skerrys (Withernsea) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–29 kts, peaking around 29 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 50 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.3–1.4 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
- Groynes
- Submerged rocks/reef sections
- Sea walls
- Cold water
- Rip currents
- Moderate shorebreak
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards are indicated for this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional baseline indicates rescue availability is limited via RNLI/Coastguard coverage.
- Emergency Info
- For water emergencies dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Withernsea Community Hospital is the nearest medical facility (spot-level). Nearest major hospital with A&E is Hull Royal Infirmary (regional baseline).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild local presence described.
Rules of the spot
Be cautious when surfing close to groynes/coastal defenses and follow standard water priority. Rips/longshore drift can occur during larger swells.
- Park near the promenade and walk down Lee Avenue for closest access.
- Best surfed on a rising mid-tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hull
- Nearest Town
- Withernsea
- Parking
- Street parking available on Lee Avenue and surrounding residential streets; public parking near the promenade.
- Public Transport
- Regular bus services connect Withernsea to Hull; there is no direct rail access to the town.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various guesthouses, holiday parks, and hotels are available within Withernsea.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes, fish and chip shops, and pubs are located along the Withernsea seafront.
- Equipment Rental:
- No specialized surf rental on the immediate beach; bring your own gear.
- Gear Storage
- Not available.
- Gear Repair
- No specialized surf/board repair facilities are indicated on-site.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
An inland lighthouse now serving as a museum dedicated to the history of the town and the RNLI.
Historic castle-like entrance towers remaining from the town’s Victorian pier.
A narrow sand spit stretching into the Humber Estuary, ideal for hiking and birdwatching.
A traditional local pub near the seafront promenade.
A central park area used for community events, featuring a children’s playground.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Skerrys (Withernsea)?
The best overall months at Skerrys (Withernsea) are October, November, December, January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Skerrys (Withernsea)?
Skerrys (Withernsea) works with W, WNW, SW winds. Offshore directions are N, WNW, W, WSW, SW, S, SSE.
What skill level is Skerrys (Withernsea) suitable for?
Skerrys (Withernsea) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.