Snab Point (Lynemouth)

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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Snab Point (Lynemouth) is a reasonably exposed reef break on the Northumberland coast, commonly described as having both left and right lines and fairly consistent surf. Reports emphasize that it’s a rugged, rocky setup with a reef bottom, where conditions can change quickly with tide and swell. Surfing is generally strongest during the colder seasons—winter and spring—with additional guidance also noting autumn and winter for consistent swells. One report specifies it works best with a North or North-East swell, and that offshore winds from the West and South-West help groom the wave faces. Safety concerns are a major factor at this spot. Pollution is repeatedly flagged as a hazard, along with rips/strong currents and submerged rocks over a reef bottom. Water quality can be questioned, particularly after heavy rainfall, and one note also references historical industrial residue on the seafloor—so checking local water quality alerts before going out is strongly advised. Because the water is cold and the bottom is rocky/variable with tide, the spot is best suited to intermediate surfers who can manage reef conditions and moving water. Winter wetsuit protection with hood, gloves, and boots is consistently recommended, and rescue/lifeguard presence is not described as dedicated—so conservative decision-making in these hazards is important.

  • Exposed reef break with consistent surf in winter and spring
  • Offshore West/South-West winds can groom the faces
  • Pollution and rip/current hazards require extra caution
  • Winter wetsuit with hood, gloves, and boots recommended
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboard
What's great
  • Exposed reef break with fairly consistent surf
  • Both left and right waves reported (reef break)
  • Works best in colder seasons when swell is more reliable
  • Offshore wind conditions from the West/South-West can groom the wave faces
Heads up
  • Reef hazards including submerged rocks and shallow water at low tide
  • Water pollution/risk concerns and pollution is specifically cited as a hazard
  • Cold North Sea conditions requiring winter head/hand/foot protection
  • Strong currents and rips reported
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
W, WSW
Offshore directions
W, WSW
Wind Range
10–25 kts
Wind Type
Frontal — Primarily driven by frontal weather systems.
Reliability
Low to moderate; primarily dependent on North Atlantic low-pressure systems.
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported.
Best Months
January, February, March, April, May
Shadow Zones
The headland can provide some shelter from North-Westerly winds.

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell
Beach
Mixed — Reef environment; rocky bottom with patches of sand reported by one provider.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Medium — Wave size described as medium by one provider.
Launch
Medium — Rocky shoreline with patches of sand; requires careful navigation.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Moderate difficulty due to rocky shoreline and navigation through reef areas.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
9–16 °C
Water Temperature
3–20 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Nov–Feb: 5/4mm + Boots, Gloves, HoodJul, Aug, Sep: 3/2mm (or 4/3mm)Oct–Jun: 4/3mm (or 5mm year-round per another provider) + Boots
Crowds by Season

Usually quiet year-round; winter sees the most activity.

Storm/Rain Season

Autumn and winter (especially November–March) for more frequent storms and rainfall; rain can affect water quality.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

A reasonably exposed reef break with left and right lines and fairly consistent surf in winter and spring; a right-hand reef break is also specifically reported. Works best with suitable North or North-East swell.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
N, NE
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Surfable at all stages of the tide is noted by one guide, with mid tide preferred by another.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed.
Wind Effect
Offshore winds from the West and South-West groom the wave faces.
Bigger Swell
Can become heavy and difficult to manage with significant water movement over the reef.
Wave Quality
Average — Wave quality described as average.
Wave Power
Moderate
Wave Shape
Peeling — Peeling reef waves reported.
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Medium — Can offer rides of 50 to 100 meters on good days.
Ride Length Details
Typically medium rides; can extend to long rides (50–100 m) on good days.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Snab Point (Lynemouth) in the full forecast view.

Snab Point (Lynemouth) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
6–30 ktsGusts 50 kts
Direction
SW223°
Strongest day
Sun, Oct 2530 kts
Windy days
5/712 kts or more
Waves
0.3–2.0 m5s period
Temperature
5–15 °C

Over the next 7 days, Snab Point (Lynemouth) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–30 kts, peaking around 30 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 50 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.3–2.0 m with a period of about 5s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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

  • Pollution
  • Rips
  • Submerged rocks
  • Strong currents
  • Cold water temperatures
  • Residual coal waste on the seafloor (historical coal dust residue)
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestWetsuitBootsGlovesHoodLeash

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguard presence reported.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — Group guidance indicates rescue is limited and coverage is provided through RNLI monitoring with Coastguard support.
Emergency Info
Call 999 or 112 and ask for Coastguard.
Localism / Vibe
Mild — Generally a quiet spot with locally known conditions.

Rules of the spot

General UK water safety guidelines apply. Check local water quality alerts before heading out; water quality may be poor after heavy rainfall.

Restrictions
  • Water quality may be poor after heavy rainfall.
Local Tips
  • Watch the tide carefully as the reef becomes very shallow and hazardous at low tide.
  • Check local water quality alerts before heading out.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Lynemouth
Nearest Town
Lynemouth
Parking
Limited roadside parking or small gravel areas near coastal path access points.
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Nearby town — Holiday rentals in Lynemouth and nearby Ellington; hotels available in Ashington.
Food & Drink
Local pubs and small shops in Lynemouth village.
Equipment Rental:
No rentals available on-site; closest surf shops are in Tynemouth or Amble.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Snab Point (Lynemouth)?

The best overall months at Snab Point (Lynemouth) are January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May.

Which wind directions work at Snab Point (Lynemouth)?

Snab Point (Lynemouth) works with W, WSW winds. Offshore directions are W, WSW.

What skill level is Snab Point (Lynemouth) suitable for?

Snab Point (Lynemouth) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.