Filey is a very sheltered, average, beach break that only works in large northerly swells (or very rare clean easterlies) when its neighbours to the north are too big. User friendly, beginner, wave when smaller, rippy when big.

Webcams:

• The Beach - stills.
• Westreach - live, very N end.

Peaks: A-frames up and down the bay, under a N swell smaller to the north and opening up to full size further south - lots to explore, can handle a crowd.

Tide: Low to mid ideal. Seawall on northerly stretch makes access difficult, causes backwash and strong longshore drift at high to high mid. No seawall on more exposed southerly peaks, but spring highs can still cut off access.

Swell: E or large N/NE. Filey brigg can clean up huge N/NE with chasing winds, as they wrap. E/SE tend to be raw and choppy due to short fetch. When too small try South Bay, North Bay or nearby Cayton Bay, in general order of increasing size.

Wind: W. Northerly peaks can handle NW and even chasing N/NE winds when tucked up under N headland on really big N swell. Southerly peaks can handle SW. Some shelter from strong offshores as it comes off the wall at high-mid.

Hazards: rips, access, pollution. Rips and longshore drift, particularly when big. Access tricky depending on tide. Notoriously poor water quality thanks to sewage outflows and town surface water that seem to collect under the Brigg - avoid after rain. Check SSRS app, but bear in mind no alerts for surface water drains!

Access, parking & facilities: free, very busy, parking on Beach road. Extensive paid on Ravine road, can fill up during summer season. Access to northerly peaks at Cobble landing, Beach Hole slipway. Access to southern peaks at Royal Landing and Martin’s Ravine, tricky at mid-high. Access options further south. Cafes galore, paid toilets.

Links

No surf shops at spot - nearest at Cayton Bay.
LowBrow Surf - local shaper and ding repair.
Scarborough Boardriders - local surf club.