World › United Kingdom › Argyll and Bute › Machrihanish
Machrihanish 50.5
#4426 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Argyll and Bute · near Ayr
Very consistent, wind is the enemy here, no off season.
Works all yearIntermediate
Surf score50.5 /100
Surfable days80% of the year
Clean days5% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell16% period 11 s+
Typical size1.1 m 3.6 ft median
Water11°C a 5/4 with boots and hood
Best time to surf Machrihanish
The best time to surf Machrihanish is January, February, April. It rarely works. In January the water sits around 9°C, so pack a 6/5 with boots, gloves and hood, and the typical wave is 1.7 m. The nearest airport is PIK (70 km) and the nearest town is Ayr (69 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 96% | 7% | 1.7 m | 9°C | 6/5 |
| Feb | 96% | 7% | 1.9 m | 8°C | 6/5 |
| Mar | 86% | 5% | 1.3 m | 8°C | 6/5 |
| Apr | 66% | 6% | 0.8 m | 8°C | 6/5 |
| May | 66% | 2% | 0.8 m | 10°C | 5/4 |
| Jun | 61% | 1% | 0.7 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Jul | 63% | 0% | 0.7 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Aug | 63% | 2% | 0.8 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Sep | 81% | 3% | 1.0 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Oct | 94% | 1% | 1.4 m | 13°C | 4/3 |
| Nov | 91% | 0% | 1.5 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Dec | 94% | 6% | 1.5 m | 10°C | 5/4 |
Why 50.5
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
24.2
Clean days 24%
2.4
Groundswell 12%
2.9
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
2.5
Water comfort 10%
0.0
Access 10%
7.2
The detail
Faces 270° with 47% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 31% of days. Mean peak period 8.5 s. Days over 3 m: 3%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 48%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates 55.472, -5.715 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Portballintrae🇬🇧 United Kingdom · score 19.0White Rocks🇬🇧 United Kingdom · score 17.0East Strand🇬🇧 United Kingdom · score 25.6Portrush🇬🇧 United Kingdom · score 25.7
Compare Machrihanish 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 JanuaryFilters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.