Filey is a beach break located along the North Yorkshire coast, offering surfers a reliable spot when conditions are right. It’s often considered a backup beach for stormy days since it provides some shelter from north winds thanks to the nearby headland. With plenty of car parks and facilities in the area, it's easy to spend a day here without too much hassle.
The surf at Filey works best with a north-east swell direction, but it can also handle swells from the north and south-east. The waves can be ridden at sizes as small as 1ft (0.3m), making it accessible for beginners or when the conditions are less than ideal. You’ll find both left and right breaking waves over sandy bottoms, which can be enjoyable. For the best experience, aim to surf during mid-tide and when there are south-west winds to keep the waves clean.
Besides the surf, the area around Filey is pretty surfer-friendly. The beach can get busy, particularly during the summer, but there’s usually enough space to find your own patch. Keep an eye on the conditions, as it can vary quite a bit depending on the weather. Overall, Filey can be a decent spot in less-than-perfect conditions, especially when you want to catch some waves without traveling too far.