Skinningrove
- Bodyboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Skinningrove is a fairly exposed beach/jetty surfing break on the North East England coast, known for having consistently working peaks rather than only occasional sessions. The surf is typically described as beach/jetty based with waves available in both directions, and it’s presented as suitable for new surfers while also offering enough shape for more confident riders. Best performance is commonly linked with north/northwest swells (especially NW) combined with southwest winds, which tend to be offshore and help keep things cleaner. Conditions are often suggested to be strongest around mid tide, and in some reports it’s also framed as a backup when other nearby options are too large or wind-blown. Safety is a key concern at this specific launch area. There are rocks and pier/jetty structures, and there are warnings about unstable cliffs and rock falls—so staying away from the cliff base is important. Water quality can be affected by pollution tied to the area’s ironworks and industrial history; checking local health advice/water quality reports before going in is strongly recommended. Seasonally, sources point to autumn and winter as the most reliable for consistent swell, with very cold sea temperatures year-round. A winter wetsuit with hood, gloves, and boots is recommended for cold months.
- Fairly consistent beach/jetty break
- SW winds are often offshore and help clean up the swell
- Quiet/low-crowd reputation
- Pretty consistent surf for a beach/jetty break.
- Often works in a range of swells with both-direction waves.
- Generally quieter than nearby popular North East beaches.
- Water pollution risk due to nearby ironworks/industrial history (check local health advice).
- Rock and pier/jetty hazards; unstable cliffs and potential rock fall.
- No lifeguards reported; rescue coverage not indicated at the spot.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW
- Offshore directions
- SW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Dominated by Atlantic frontal systems; southwesterlies are common on this coast.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs to the south can provide some shelter from southerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand and shingle characteristics mentioned for the wider shoreline context; launch area described as sandy with rocks near the pier.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Also described as sometimes medium; overall wave size is often moderate to small depending on conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with rocks near the pier/jetty area.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — One source describes easy access; another describes moderate difficulty—likely depending on exact entry point and conditions.
Through the year
Usually quiet, with more visitors on weekends when swell is good.
Winter months see frequent North Sea storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Fairly exposed beach/jetty break with consistent surf and both left/right-style waves; can work as a backup when other nearby spots are too large or wind-blown.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Tips also suggest mid tide as a common sweet spot.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Semi-sheltered due to the beach/jetty context, but still described as fairly exposed overall.
- Wind Effect
- Southwest winds are offshore and can clean up the swell.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle some size but tends to close out in very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as fairly consistent; quality described as good/average in different sources.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Fast peaks; rides can be short and punchy depending on sandbar formation.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short punchy rides are possible when peaks are fast and sandbar conditions line up.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Skinningrove in the full forecast view.
Skinningrove wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–29 ktsGusts 51 kts
- Direction
- SW219°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2429 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.5 m5s period
- Temperature
- 8–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Skinningrove is forecast for daytime winds of 7–29 kts, peaking around 29 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 51 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.3–1.5 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
- Pier/jetty structures
- Unstable cliffs
- Rock falls
- Water pollution / historical industrial runoff
- Rip currents
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No spot-specific lifeguard/rescue coverage reported.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Middlesbrough; call 999 for the Coastguard.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Reported as low localism; generally unlikely to be too crowded.
Rules of the spot
Check local water quality/health advice before going in. Follow standard water etiquette and avoid surfing too close to the pier during high swells.
- Avoid surfing too close to the pier during high swells.
- Avoid the base of the cliffs due to instability and rock falls.
- Watch for rocks and pollution in the water.
- Check local water quality reports before heading in.
- Best conditions are often on a mid tide with a NW swell and SW winds.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Middlesbrough
- Nearest Town
- Saltburn-by-the-Sea
- Parking
- Parking available in the urban area among cliffs; limited parking near the beach and within the village.
- Access
- Accessible via the A174 followed by local roads into Skinningrove village; wide sandy beach with cliff-top views and access via an old fishing pier/jetty dating from mining days.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday cottages in Skinningrove and Loftus; hotels in Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
- Food & Drink
- Local pub and small cafes in the village.
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 Skinningrove?
The best overall months at Skinningrove are January, February, March, April, November, December. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Skinningrove?
Skinningrove works with SW winds. Offshore directions are SW.
What skill level is Skinningrove suitable for?
Skinningrove suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.