St Combs (Aberdeenshire)

St Combs is an exposed beach-and-reef break on Scotland’s North East coast, known for fairly consistent surf and crystal-clear water. The shoreline is typically best evaluated by tide because the reef/rocks become notably more hazardous at low water; mid-tide is generally described as the safest and optimal time for surfing. The spot is rugged and remote, with few visitors even on good days. For surfing, conditions are described as exposed with a mix of beach and reef influence. Southwest wind is specifically associated with cleaner/offshore conditions for surfing, while offshore-wind setups are treated as a no-go. Wave character is described as peeling with medium ride lengths, and wave power is characterized as moderate to average. On bigger situations, strong onshore winds can make waves messy and heavy, though the spot can hold size reasonably well on cleaner groundswells. Water temperatures are cold for most of the year (and commonly near or below the single digits in winter), so winter-appropriate wetsuits are consistently emphasized, including a hood, gloves, and boots. Recommended safety planning includes careful tide checks, awareness of rocks/submerged reef patches, and extra caution around areas where the village rocks and the northern end of the beach can create cleaner banks but still include hazards. Kitesurfing is possible but is less clearly documented than the surf, with descriptions emphasizing an exposed, swell-oriented setup and a vast beach area for launching—especially on North/East type conditions. Wind for kitesurfing at this spot is therefore best treated as something to verify in real time; where riders do go, the more common kite size range reported is roughly 7–12 m², with advanced-level riding mentioned.