Runswick Bay
Sheltered bay between Whitby and Saltburn. Works on bigger NE swells when other spots are maxed out. Beautiful setting with a small fishing village.
Conditions look mixed today with moderate onshore wind and a dropping swell period through the afternoon. Best bet is the early morning push before the wind picks up. Tomorrow looks cleaner with a slight shift in direction.
Create a free account for the full 7-day forecast
Get the extended forecast, save your favourite spots, and set surf alerts. Completely free, no card required.
Sign up — it's freeRunswick Bay Surf Spot Guide
Everything you need to know before paddling out at Runswick Bay, England.
Hazards & Safety
Rocky outcrops at low tide on both sides. Rip currents towards the headlands on bigger swells. Cold water year-round. Limited mobile signal in the bay.
Local Tips
Needs a solid northerly or NE swell to wrap into the bay. When Saltburn and Sandsend are maxed out, Runswick can be clean and playful. Best mid to high tide. The middle of the bay produces the most consistent peaks. Do not drive here on spec — check it is working first.
Getting There
Steep road down to the village from the A174. Park at the top and walk down, or drive to the lower slipway (limited space). About 10 minutes walk down.
Parking: Small pay-and-display at the top. Very limited at the bottom near the slipway. Rarely fills except peak summer.
Facilities: Toilets near the slipway. Runswick Bay Hotel does food. No surf shops or hire. No showers. Nearest supplies in Whitby.
Crowds
Low. Off the beaten track and rarely draws a crowd. One of the quieter spots on the North Yorkshire coast.
Water Temperature by Month
Water temperatures and recommended wetsuit thickness by month
Tide data from Whitby
Average daily wave height and wind speed from past forecast data. Updates as more data is collected.
Surfed here recently? Share a photo to help others see what it's like.
Know Runswick Bay? Share tips on tides, wind shelter, hazards, or best conditions.
Sheltered bay between Whitby and Saltburn. Works on bigger NE swells when other spots are maxed out. Beautiful setting with a small fishing village.
Conditions look mixed today with moderate onshore wind and a dropping swell period through the afternoon. Best bet is the early morning push before the wind picks up.
Tide data from Whitby
Water temp & wetsuit by month
Average daily wave height and wind speed from past forecast data
Rocky outcrops at low tide on both sides. Rip currents towards the headlands on bigger swells. Cold water year-round. Limited mobile signal in the bay.
Needs a solid northerly or NE swell to wrap into the bay. When Saltburn and Sandsend are maxed out, Runswick can be clean and playful. Best mid to high tide. The middle of the bay produces the most consistent peaks. Do not drive here on spec — check it is working first.
No photos of Runswick Bay yet