World › United Kingdom › East Sussex › Birling gap
Birling gap 45.4
#4703 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · East Sussex · near Brighton
Very consistent, wind is the enemy here, no off season.
Works all yearIntermediate
Surf score45.4 /100
Surfable days75% of the year
Clean days1% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell2% period 11 s+
Typical size1.0 m 3.3 ft median
Water14°C a 4/3 with boots
Best time to surf Birling gap
The best time to surf Birling gap is January, February, April. It rarely works. In April the water sits around 11°C, so pack a 5/4 with boots and hood, and the typical wave is 0.8 m. The nearest airport is LGW (52 km) and the nearest town is Brighton (28 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 84% | 1% | 1.6 m | 8°C | 6/5 |
| Feb | 93% | 2% | 1.8 m | 9°C | 6/5 |
| Mar | 79% | 1% | 1.2 m | 9°C | 6/5 |
| Apr | 69% | 4% | 0.8 m | 11°C | 5/4 |
| May | 66% | 0% | 0.8 m | 13°C | 4/3 |
| Jun | 59% | 1% | 0.7 m | 16°C | 4/3 |
| Jul | 52% | 0% | 0.6 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Aug | 61% | 0% | 0.7 m | 20°C | 2mm |
| Sep | 73% | 0% | 0.8 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Oct | 88% | 0% | 1.4 m | 16°C | 4/3 |
| Nov | 91% | 1% | 1.6 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Dec | 89% | 1% | 1.7 m | 11°C | 5/4 |
Why 45.4
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
22.7
Clean days 24%
0.0
Groundswell 12%
0.0
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
2.1
Water comfort 10%
0.4
Access 10%
9.1
The detail
Faces 205° with 47% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 48% of days. Mean peak period 6.5 s. Days over 3 m: 5%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 49%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates 50.743, 0.200 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Eastbourne🇬🇧 United Kingdom · score 33.5Bexhill🇬🇧 United Kingdom · score 36.1Stamco🇬🇧 United Kingdom · score 31.5Brighton (West Pier)🇬🇧 United Kingdom · score 46.7
Compare Birling gap with 5,700 other spots
Filters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.
Open the interactive profileMore spots good in AprilFilters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.