East England : Runswick Bay

  Click to enlarge:

  Local Weather:

Wind & wave forecast

Weather forecast

Tidal forecast

  Directions:

Click here for map

Runswick Bay is a picture perfect village sitting on the side of a headland looking down into a beautiful horse-shoe shaped bay; in short an idyllic and tranquil setting. This couldn't be more at odds with the surfing breaks in Runswick Bay, which are potentially intense, challenging and exciting waves. The horseshoe shape of the bay means it truly comes into its own when the swell is too big for most of the other local beaches, as bay channels the swell over three rock reefs.

The three main peaks produce steep, plunging waves that break at speed over the reefs. These three peaks are infront of Cobble Dump below the village and over the two rock slabs further down to the southern end of the beach. The former is a left while the other two are right-handers, but all demand respect when they are working. If Laird Hamilton is in town he may consider giving the outer reef a go which only really gets going under the heaviest winter swells.

The beach is easy to find with well signposted roads direct into the village. The parking is limited, with the car park being at the top of the village, meaning there is quite a steep walk down to the waters edge. The location and atmosphere of the village add a lot to this location and if you want more great scenery the North Yorkshire Moors are just the other side of the A171.

Details
Driving Access: Minor road down into village
Car Park spaces: 60 spaces above the beach
Price: Less than £5
Beach facilities: Everything you need in the village
Beach type: Sand
Break type: Reefs
Pub: Runswick Bay Hotel
Sort of wave: Plunging
Peaks: The cobble dump, inner reef and middle reef
Left/Right: Rights
Offshore wind direction: Southwesterly
Local highlights: Nil
National Trust: No

Ratings
Ability: Legend - Laird
Kids: 1 - Just the beach
Other stuff: 1 - Just the Beach
Access: 2 - 100m walk down to the beach
Urban proximity: Village life
Water quality: Good

  Accomodation:

Book local holiday cottage*

  Details: