Scarborough - Cayton Bay
Royaume-Uni
Scarborough
Cayton Bay is a wild beach located a few kilometers south of Scarborough, on the Yorkshire coast. It is a spot known to surfers for its exposure to swells and the World War II bunkers that line the sand.
Locals appreciate this place for its authentic atmosphere and easy access from the Filey road. There is a paid parking lot near a surf shop with showers and changing rooms.
Less frequented by kiters than surfers, it is nonetheless a spot listed among the kitesurfing locations in the UK, especially when the wind aligns well.
Les données de vent affichées ici proviennent d’ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) sur 4 ans, retraitées pour refléter des conditions réalistes.
👉 Le vent moyen a été calibré pour éviter la sous-estimation habituelle des modèles.
👉 Les rafales ont été corrigées par un ratio médian afin d’éviter des valeurs extrêmes irréalistes.
👉 Chaque jour est résumé par le vent médian (P50) observé pendant les heures utiles (8h–20h), puis classé dans des plages de vent.
👉 Le mode pondéré mélange vent moyen et rafales pour refléter au mieux le vent ressenti.
- 🟢 10–16 nds : vent faible mais navigable (notamment en foil).
- 🟡 16–22 nds : plage idéale, conditions confortables pour la majorité.
- 🔴 22–28 nds : vent fort, réservé aux riders expérimentés.
- 🟣 28+ nds : conditions extrêmes, navigation engagée.
Localisation & Points d'intérêt
Informations utiles
wave
chopThe spot mainly works with east to northeast winds according to local feedback, which are side-shore relative to the northwest-oriented beach, allowing for smooth navigation along the bay. Launching is done directly on the wide sand, with a take-off area near the bunkers or towards the center of the beach to avoid the crowd of surfers.
The navigation area extends across the entire width of the bay, but stay clear of the marked areas for surfers, especially around Bunkers and Pumphouse which are popular breaks. At low tide, the water surface is more chop near the shore due to residual waves, while at high tide it gains depth and is better suited for kiting.
Be cautious on weekends when the spot is crowded with surfers; opt for the ends of the beach for more space. The current wind of 15 kts gives a score of 50/100, ideal for a moderate session.
Ideal conditions are NE to E side-shore winds at 15-25 kts, with moderate north swell for rideable waves without excess.
The water surface is typically wave due to exposure to northern swells, with waves of 0.5 to 2.5 meters in normal conditions. The bottom is , ideal for launching.
Currents are generally weak on the beach, but can strengthen near the channels at low tide. Tides are significant on this coast, with a tidal range of 5-6 meters.
Check the tide times to avoid low water traps.
With typical winds of 15 kts, plan for sizes of 11 to 13 m²; drop to 9-11 m² when it rises to 20 kts.
The prevailing winds come from the west and southwest for surfing, but for kiting, the directions NE, NNE, ENE, E prevail according to locals, with strengths around 15 kts on average seasonal.
No specific local name, but the wind is more reliable in winter with the approach of Atlantic depressions.
The climate of Yorkshire is temperate oceanic, with mild summers around 15-20°C and cool winters at 5-10°C. The best months for kiting are variable, but winter offers more swell and consistent wind.
Rainfall is frequent throughout the year, making sessions wet even in summer.
The depth is gradual with a completely sandy bottom. You can stand a good distance from the shore, even at low tide.
Water temperatures range from 8-10°C in winter to 14-16°C in summer; a 5/4 mm wetsuit is recommended year-round.