The Spur
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Empty
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
The Spur is an exposed reef surfing spot on the North Coast near Murkle, known for consistent surf and a mid-tide preference. Multiple sources describe it as a reef break with rocky hazards in the lineup, and it’s characterized as technical and best approached by experienced surfers who are comfortable navigating shallow reef conditions. Across the winter season, the spot’s performance is tied to northwest swell and offshore winds from the south to south-southeast, which help keep conditions cleaner. Guides also emphasize that the break can be worked at any time of year, but the most dependable, meaningful surf is typically during the colder months when swell and conditions are more robust. Conditions are cold year-round, with February commonly referenced as the best month; winter water temperatures are reported around the 6–7°C range. Strong tidal currents are also a recurring theme along the Caithness coast, and several sources warn that rocks can be hidden depending on tide level—so planning entry and exit is part of the safety strategy. Crowding is described as rare, with the spot generally quiet compared to other more visited areas in the region. There are no lifeguards reported, and regional guidance indicates limited rescue availability; emergency services are available via 999/112, with sea rescue handled through the appropriate maritime channels.
- Exposed, consistent reef surf near Murkle
- Mid tide typically best
- Winter conditions favor strong northwest swells and offshore south–southeast winds
- Rarely crowded
- Exposed reef break with consistent surf
- Best conditions are associated with northwest swell and offshore south–southeast winds
- Rarely crowded
- Rocky reef hazards in the lineup and at entry/exit
- Cold water year-round; winter conditions require serious thermal protection
- Technical spot: correct swell/wrap is needed to get it working
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SE
- Offshore directions
- S, SSW, SE
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Predominantly system-driven conditions (frontal/Atlantic), rather than local thermal effects.
- Reliability
- high during winter months
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported in the spot data.
- Best Months
- February, March, October, November, December, January
- Shadow Zones
- Possible sheltering from cliffs in specific directions
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Reef — Reef/rock substrate.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — One dataset describes medium wave size; powerful surf is reported for the right swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky entry and exit points requiring careful navigation.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Rocky entry/exit and shallow reef navigation.
Through the year
Rarely crowded; winter and shoulder months remain quiet
Frequent winter storms and high rainfall from November to February
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break with consistent surf that can work year-round; needs the right swell/wrap to start work. Rocky hazards in the lineup and technical entry/exit are part of the challenge.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- NW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is consistently reported as the best.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed to North Coast conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Best offshore conditions are described with south to south-southeast winds; wind direction (offshore south/southeast) is linked to cleaner surf.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant size but becomes very heavy and technical on larger swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good quality reported; consistency noted in broader guides.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as powerful/powerful walls.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Walls described as peeling; occasionally hollow when swell and wind align (provider-specific note).
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Reported as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can provide longer rides on well-formed swells.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150 m
- Ride Length Details
- One dataset reports rides can reach roughly 100–200 meters on well-formed swells; other guidance emphasizes consistency and mid-tide quality.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for The Spur in the full forecast view.
The Spur wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–42 ktsGusts 66 kts
- Direction
- SW222°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2542 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–7.6 m8s period
- Temperature
- 3–12 °C
Over the next 7 days, The Spur is forecast for daytime winds of 6–42 kts, peaking around 42 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 66 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.8–7.6 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
- Rocks in the lineup
- Sharp reef
- Shallow reef
- Strong tidal currents common along the Caithness coast
- Seaweed-covered rocks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported for the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional info indicates limited rescue availability; RNLI emergency maritime rescue coverage exists via Scrabster Harbour (no specific local coastguard base reported).
- Emergency Info
- Thurso is the nearest town for emergency services; for sea rescues contact UK Coastguard. Emergency services: 999 or 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Spot-level sources describe no specific localism.
Rules of the spot
General surfing etiquette applies; respect the local environment and fellow riders.
- Take care of rocks in the line up.
- Watch the entry and exit points at different tide levels as rocks can become hidden.
- Prepare for very cold conditions even in the shoulder seasons.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Thurso
- Nearest Town
- Murkle
- Nearest Airport
- Wick John O'Groats Airport (WIC) ~25 km; Inverness Airport (INV) ~185 km
- Parking
- Limited parking in laybys or near farm tracks; ensure no farm gates are blocked.
- Public Transport
- Limited rural bus services; car recommended for transporting gear
- Access
- Accessible via a small track or parking area near Murkle; requires a short walk to the water. Spot guides also describe Murkle as a small hamlet about one mile east of Thurso (access details not otherwise specified).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and hotels in Thurso; generally rural accommodation options around Murkle and nearby areas.
- Food & Drink
- Local pubs and grocery stores in Thurso.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rentals and hardware available via surf shops in Thurso; specialized kite/windsurf rental is extremely limited in the wider cluster.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The most northerly point of the British mainland with dramatic cliffs and a lighthouse.
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 The Spur?
The best overall months at The Spur are February, March, October, November, December, January.
Which wind directions work at The Spur?
The Spur works with S, SE winds. Offshore directions are S, SSW, SE.
What skill level is The Spur suitable for?
The Spur suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.