118 surf spots in United Kingdom. Each has a 16-day surf forecast and a local guide.
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Surfing in January Thurso East and the reefs around Brims Ness on the north coast face straight into winter's north-west groundswell. Cold water and short days keep most line-ups small, though Thurso East gets busy when it fires.
Surfing in March Fistral and the north coast beaches start their spring season, with far fewer people than in summer. The water is at its coldest, around 10 °C.
Surfing in April Spring is one of the best seasons on the north coast: Fistral, Watergate and the Newquay beaches pick up Atlantic swell with fewer people than in summer.
Surfing in May Polzeath, Watergate and the beaches around Newquay are at their friendliest before the summer holidays fill them.
Surfing in June Sennen and Gwenver near Land's End pick up the most swell in summer. Elsewhere, Polzeath and the Newquay beaches are made for longboards and lessons.
Surfing in July Sennen picks up the smallest swell in summer, and Polzeath is one of Britain's classic family and learner beaches. Both get very busy.
Surfing in August Gwenver and Sennen at Land's End pick up more swell than almost anywhere in Cornwall, which makes them the summer go-to when the north coast is flat.
Surfing in September The summer crowds leave, the water is about 17 °C and Fistral's autumn season begins, with fast, hollow peaks on a west swell.
Surfing in October Thurso East and the reefs of the north coast are in season, with about ten and a half hours of daylight by mid-month.
Surfing in November Thurso East is at its best in the autumn and winter groundswells, but the days are short: about 8 hours of light by mid-month.
Surfing in December Thurso East gets solid winter groundswell, but the day is only about six and a half hours long, so plan around the tide and the light.
Best spots to learn to surf Polzeath is one of Cornwall's best-known learner beaches, and the Newquay beaches and Sennen have schools all summer.
Summer family surf trip Polzeath is one of Britain's classic family and learner beaches, and Sennen's harbour end is sheltered and suits beginners.
Uncrowded winter waves The north coast around Melvich and Torrisdale, and the islands of Lewis and Islay, have powerful beaches and reefs that are usually empty.
Big waves and expert spots Thurso East, a long, powerful right with barrel sections in front of Thurso Castle, often named among the best waves in Europe.
Cornwall, Devon and Wales surf trip The south-coast reef at Porthleven, Sennen near Land's End, Newquay's beaches and the open bays around Bude.
Scotland and North East England surf trip The flagstone reefs and river-mouth bays of the north coast around Thurso, then the Moray coast, Fraserburgh and the beaches of East Lothian and Berwickshire.