The Yorkshire Coast is one of the best places to surf in the UK
The beautiful coastline offers some of the best surfing conditions year round, so whether you're a beginner looking for gentle beach breaks or an experienced surfer wanting the thrill of rock spots with reef and point breaks, here's our tips on where to go.
Good beach breaks for beginners are found in Saltburn, either side of the pier and best at high tide, and at Sandsend. Scarbrough's North and South Bays are gentle enough too.
West Cliff beach in Whitby is an ideal place to learn or progress your skills in surfing or paddle boarding. It's a large, shallow gradient sandy beach which provides great beginner and intermediate waves with plenty of space for everyone. It also benefits from RNLI lifeguards throughout the summer season and a Beach Management Centre with chalet rentals, showers, toilets and a café.
More experienced surfers will appreciate the more powerful breaks south of Saltburn and at Cayton Bay, especially in winter and springtime; it's one of the few places that can be surfed at low and high tide.
Check out daily surf reports.
Surf schools and paddle boarding lessons
The go to places for lessons, board and equipment hire and the best knowledge!
Saltburn
Flow Surf School
Lessons for beginners and intermediate surfers; tailor-made tuition and mobile service. year round tuition with qualified instructors; all equipment provided.
Saltburn Surf School
Lessons (surf school approved by Surfing GB); surfing and stand up paddling classes for all levels of expertise; surf hire.
Sandsend
SUP Adventures
Accredited SUP school and dedicated stand up paddle boarding wing of Valley Adventures. Operates at Sandsend, Saltburn, Scaling Dam, river Tees (Yarm) and river Esk (Whitby). Activities range from beginners to SUP, SUP Paddle Fitness and SUP yoga.
Scarborough
Dexters Surf Shop, School and Hire Centre
Year round lessons and hire; paddle boarding and kayaking hire; school audited by ASI (Association of Surfing Instructors), world leaders in surf school excellence.
Fluid Concept
Surfing and paddle board lessons for all abilities; equipment hire.
Scarborough Surf School
Surf lessons and hire, paddle boarding, kid's club and coasteering courses.
Whitby
Whitby Surf School
Year round surf and stand up paddleboard lessons, and hire aimed at beginner and intermediate levels from 8 years upwards. Coaches are qualified Beach Life Guards, Surfing GB/ASI Surf/SUP Instructors and are DBS checked.
Wykeham Lakes
North Yorkshire Water Park
Paddle board hire and lessons at an inland lake setting. Giant boards available for eight people at a time.