Consistent, punchy, swell magnet, and one of Yorkshire's best beachbreaks. Gets hollow and heavy on its day, though fairly peaky and short running. Intermediate+

Peaks: shifty gravel and sandbar A frames up and down the steep bottomed beach.

Tide: All, mid-high ideal. Can reach sea wall, particularly during spring high, causing backwash and making access tricky.

Swell: N/NE ideal. Often bigger than Saltburn or Scarborough spots.

Wind: S/SW ideal. Mainland offers some shelter from overly strong offshore winds at high tide.

Hazards: heavy, rips, rocks, access, pollution. Rippy, particularly when big. Sewage and surface water run off. Old pilings stakes to north end of beach, mid to high tide.

Access, parking & facilities: Roadside parking (free overwinter), and height restricted pay and display at north end of bay, busy over summer, then easy access over sea wall. Some great cafes, coffee shops, pubs in village. Public toilets (not 24 hours).

Links:

Nearest surf shop in Whitby (not open in winter).