Saltburn - surf spot statistics

Saltburn in the United Kingdom offers surfable conditions year-round, but the best months for surfers are typically from autumn through early spring, when swell energy and consistency peak. The most favorable period is between October and December, with strong ground swell contributions (11-17%) and the highest mean swell sizes (0.9-1.0m). November and December stand out with the highest combined swell probability (78-79%) and decent ground swell influence, though wind conditions remain challenging (85-86% bad winds). Winter months (January-February) also provide solid surf, with consistent wind swells (62-63%) and reasonable ground swell presence (13-16%), though onshore winds prevail (87-88% bad winds). Spring (March-April) sees slightly smaller swells (0.9m) but marginally improved wind conditions (15-18% good winds). Summer (May-August) is the least reliable, with minimal ground swell (1-3%), weaker swells (0.6-0.8m), and persistent poor winds (84-87% bad). September marks a transitional period, with improving swell but still suboptimal winds. For the best balance of swell size and frequency, late autumn and early winter (October-December) are prime, despite frequent onshore winds—surfers should prioritize sessions during rare offshore wind windows (12-17% probability) for cleaner conditions.

In May, Saltburn offers relatively small but rideable surf, with an average swell height of 0.8m and a decent period of 6.7s, suggesting generally clean and organized waves. The swell is primarily from the N to NE sector, with NNE being the most productive direction, delivering the highest percentage of waves in the 0.5-1.5m range (peaking at 6.49% for 1-1.5m). Larger swells (1.5m+) are rare but most likely from N to NNE. Wind conditions are only favorable 16% of the time, with light to moderate offshore winds (N to NE) being ideal. However, the prevailing winds tend to be onshore (S to WSW) at 10-30kph, which can create choppy conditions. Overall, May is a hit-or-miss month—small, manageable waves for beginners when clean, but advanced surfers will need to wait for the occasional NE swell with favorable winds for the best sessions.