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Dunnet Bay, Caithness, Scotland

North Coast Watersports

North Coast Watersports is a surf school in Dunnet Bay, Caithness, Scotland.

North Coast Watersports is run by ISA Level 2 coaches Iona and Finn on Scotland’s North Coast 500, with surf coaching centred on the long sandy bay at Dunnet near Thurso. The same crew previously worked at Blackhouse Watersports on Tiree and Aotearoa Surf in New Zealand, and also lead paddleboard sessions around Dunnet Head when conditions are calm.

Services

  • Group surf lessons
  • Private surf lessons
  • Kids holiday surf programmes
  • Surf club
  • Stand-up paddleboarding lessons and hire
  • Equipment hire
  • Surf retreats and swell weekends
  • Surf & sauna
  • Gift vouchers

Lessons

  • Group surf lessons — 2 hours (1.5 hours Nov–Mar); ages 4+ (under 8s with adult); equipment included; based at Dunnet beach
  • Private surf lessons — 2 hours (1.5 hours Nov–Mar); ages 4+; personalised coaching; equipment included
  • Kids surf programmes — two daily 2-hour lessons over 2 days in school holidays; ages 8–16
  • Group SUP lessons — about 1.5 hours; min 3 / max 8; ages 12+; equipment included
  • Private SUP lessons — ages 8+; exclusive to your group

Rentals

  • Wetsuit hire (5/4mm; boots and gloves if needed)
  • Foam surfboard hire
  • Hardboard (surf) hire
  • Paddleboard hire
  • Sit-on-top kayak hire
  • Bodyboard hire
  • Foam roof racks (free)

Camps

  • Swell Weekend surf retreats
  • Surf N' Turf
  • Northern Sands Retreat

Prices

  • Group surf lesson £40 per person
  • Private surf lesson 1 person £120
  • Private surf lesson 2 people £140
  • Private surf lesson each extra person £40
  • Kids holiday surf programme (2 days) £60 per person
  • Group SUP lesson £40 per person
  • Private SUP lesson up to 2 people £120
  • Private SUP lesson each extra person £40
  • Paddleboard hire 2 hours £20
  • Paddleboard hire 4 hours £25
  • Paddleboard hire full day £30
  • Wetsuit hire with paddleboard (add-on) £10
  • Wetsuit hire 2 hours £10
  • Wetsuit hire 4 hours £15
  • Wetsuit hire full day £20
  • Foam surfboard hire 2 hours £10
  • Foam surfboard hire 4 hours £15
  • Foam surfboard hire full day £20
  • Hardboard (surf) hire 2 hours £15
  • Hardboard (surf) hire 4 hours £20
  • Hardboard (surf) hire full day £30
  • Sit on top kayak hire 2 hours £20
  • Sit on top kayak hire 4 hours £25
  • Sit on top kayak hire full day £30
  • Bodyboard hire 2 hours £5
  • Bodyboard hire 4 hours £6
  • Bodyboard hire full day £8

Surf spots served

Dunnet beachStrathy beach (on demand)Farr beach (on demand)Dwarwick pierBrough pierScrabster bay

When to go

Surf lessons year-round (shorter water time Nov–Mar). Kids programmes in Easter, summer and October school holidays. SUP depends on calm conditions.