Yellowcraig Beach
- Freeride, Shortboard
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Yellowcraig Beach is a fairly exposed point-break on Scotland’s East Coast with fairly consistent surf, making it a steady option when the swell arrives—most notably with an east swell component. The seabed is sand and the launch zone is described as broad/wide sandy sands with plenty of space, and the spot is positioned around Dirleton, East Lothian. For surfing, conditions are typically small-to-moderate and often described as mushy/soft, with waves tending to be short and peaky. Multiple sources note that mid-tide often gives the best results, and that the waves may close out more easily at lower tide levels. Shelter level is consistently described as exposed, and very large swells can make the water feel messy or disorganized. Wind opportunities include a frontal-style wind regime, with a northerly component highlighted for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Kitesurfing is described as spacious and well-suited to northerly winds, while windsurfing is most practical when wind has a northerly component (with a note that the walk from the car park can be long with heavy gear). Wingfoiling is also possible thanks to a generally foil-friendly sandy bottom, but caution is advised around rocks near offshore islands. Safety-wise, winter temperatures are cold enough that a full winter wetsuit setup is emphasized, including hood, gloves, and boots. Hazards reported include offshore rocks and rip currents, and there is no lifeguard presence at the spot. Rescue availability is described as limited in the wider regional baseline; if conditions worsen, prioritize awareness of currents, keep partners in sight, and respect other beach users (families and dog walkers) when launching and landing.
- Fairly exposed but fairly consistent East Coast point-break surf
- Wide sandy beach makes launches manageable at many tide states
- Best surf linked to east swell; mid-tide often favored
- Fairly consistent surf for the East Coast point-break style
- Wide sandy bay/launch space (useful for board sports)
- Works best with east swell for surf; northerly wind components help for kiting/windsurfing
- Exposed conditions can create challenging surf/water at times
- Cold North Sea water in winter requires serious thermal protection
- Offshore rocks and potential rip currents add risk
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SSE
- Offshore directions
- S
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal systems; also workable during northerly components.
- Reliability
- fair
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Surf is often small; described as fairly consistent with a point-break character.
- Launch
- Big — Broad sandy sands/wide sandy beach with plenty of space.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Wide sandy launch area with plenty of space.
Through the year
Busy with families and walkers in summer; surfers and kiters are more prevalent in winter.
Winter months see frequent North Sea storms and frontal systems.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A spacious beach suitable for kitesurfing; particularly suited to northerly winds with wide sand for easier launch.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Good for bump and jump or coastal cruising when wind has a northerly component. Note that the walk from the car park can be long with heavy gear.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Possible but requires a bit of a walk; sandy bottom is generally foil-friendly with care for rocks near islands.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Fairly exposed point break with fairly consistent surf; best worked with east swell.
- Optimal Swell
- E, ENE, NE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Also noted that the best surf is typically around mid-tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastline.
- Wind Effect
- Generally offshore in southerly winds; wind can affect cleanliness/shape depending on direction and swell size.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy and disorganized during very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Often average; can become messy/disorganized during very large swells.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Often small with mellow, mushy character.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Often short and peaky; can close out at lower tide levels.
- Peel Speed
- Slow
- Ride Length
- Short — Waves tend to be relatively short; ride lengths commonly around 30–50 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves often close out at lower tide; at mid-tide they’re typically peaking better.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Yellowcraig Beach in the full forecast view.
Yellowcraig Beach wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–37 ktsGusts 60 kts
- Direction
- SW226°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2537 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–2.3 m4s period
- Temperature
- 5–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Yellowcraig Beach is forecast for daytime winds of 6–37 kts, peaking around 37 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 60 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.1–2.3 m with a period of about 4s. 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
- cold water
- offshore rocks
- rip currents
- rocks offshore near islands/rocky outcrops
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional baseline indicates limited rescue availability supported by RNLI/Coastguard nearby.
- Emergency Info
- For emergencies call 999 or 112. Nearest hospital services referenced in the wider guidance: Haddington or Edinburgh.
Rules of the spot
Respect other beach users including dog walkers and families. General beach use expected.
- No motorized craft close to the beach
- Seasonal parking charges apply
- Best surf is typically found around mid-tide.
- The walk from the car park to the water is several hundred meters.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Dirleton
- Nearest Town
- Dirleton
- Nearest Airport
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
- Parking
- Clearly signed turn to beach car park from B1345 between Dirleton and Gullane. Pay and display parking available; often uses the RingGo app.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via ScotRail to North Berwick plus local bus routes connecting coastal villages to Edinburgh
- Access
- Take the B1345 between Dirleton and Gullane; a clearly signed turn leads to the beach car park. Well signposted from the A198 coastal road.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous options including campsites/caravan parks and hotels in Dirleton and North Berwick.
- Food & Drink
- Small seasonal snack outlets may be present; more options in Dirleton.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available via nearby schools/towns.
- Gear Storage
- On-site gear storage described as limited.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs may be handled by local surf schools; more specialized kite/sail repair may require a trip into Edinburgh.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Award-winning visitor attraction with live cameras on local islands, including the Bass Rock.
A well-preserved 13th-century fortress and residence surrounded by gardens (historic visitor site).
Semi-ruined mid-14th-century fortress set on a dramatic cliffside.
Coastal hiking along the East Lothian Coastal Path.
Adventure hub offering wakeboarding, ropes courses, and segways.
Traditional hotel and restaurant in the heart of Dirleton.
Popular coastal play area with woodland trail system.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Yellowcraig Beach?
The best overall months at Yellowcraig Beach are January, February, March, April, October, November, December. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Yellowcraig Beach?
Yellowcraig Beach works with SSE winds. Offshore directions are S.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Yellowcraig Beach?
Recommended equipment sizes at Yellowcraig Beach: Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Yellowcraig Beach suitable for?
Yellowcraig Beach suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.