Kitesurf Travel Guide: Findhorn Bay, Scotland

While kitesurfers pile onto Tiree and the well-known Scottish hotspots, a sheltered bay on the Moray coast quietly offers some of the calmest, most beginner-friendly water in Scotland. Findhorn Bay is a shallow tidal estuary near Forres, with dolphins passing through and a wide sandy beach on the open coast right next door for when you want more room to move. This Findhorn Bay kitesurf guide covers the wind, the tidal quirks, and where to base yourself on the Moray coast.

Why Findhorn Bay?

Findhorn Bay is a rounded tidal estuary opening onto the Moray Firth, with mostly calm, shallow water that makes it one of the more forgiving places to learn or practice freestyle and freeride kitesurfing in Scotland. The bed shifts from sand at low tide to pebbles at high tide, and the sheltered shape of the bay keeps wave size down even when the wind is up, which is a rare combination on this coast.

→ The main wind direction is northeast, with a northwest wind on an ebbing tide considered the ideal combination by local riders.

↳ Thermal winds here often average 16 to 25 knots, and the open Findhorn Beach a short walk away gives a wider, wavier alternative on the same wind.

Getting There & Getting Around

Findhorn is easy to reach from Inverness and sits well off the main Scottish tourist trail.

From Inverness, it is about 30 minutes by car via the A96 to Forres, then the B9011 north to Findhorn.
→ From Aberdeen, allow roughly 1 hour 50 minutes via the A96.
↳ Public transport is limited. ScotRail serves Forres, about 25 minutes from Inverness by train, but you will need a taxi or bike for the final stretch to the bay.

When to Kitesurf

The bay is rideable across the seasons whenever the wind direction lines up, with thermal wind topping up the forecast on warmer days. Northeast is the main working direction, and a northwest wind combined with an ebbing tide is considered the best setup by local riders. Because the water is shallow and shifts between sand and pebble with the tide, conditions change through a single session, so check the state of the tide before you rig.

Safety notes: Sharp mussel shells wash down from the River Findhorn and collect in places, so watch your feet, especially at low tide. Tidal patterns here shift quickly, and a sudden drop in wind can leave less experienced riders stranded on a falling tide, so keep an eye on both the wind and the water as a session goes on. Currents in the bay typically run 1 to 2 knots but can be unpredictable, so this is not a spot to treat casually just because the water looks calm.

Kitesurf Spots

Findhorn Bay: The sheltered tidal estuary, with mostly flat water and few waves.
Water: Flat to small chop, shallow, bed shifts with the tide.
Level: Beginner to advanced, especially strong for freestyle and freeride.
Findhorn Beach (open coast): A wide, three-kilometer sandy beach on the Moray Firth itself, a short walk from the bay.
Water: More open and wavier than the bay, depending on wind and swell.
Level: Intermediate to advanced.

Moray Firth Wind Sports is a BKSA-affiliated school offering kitesurfing, wing surfing, wing foiling and efoil lessons across the area, using radio helmets for live instruction, and choosing between sites depending on the day's wind. It is the safest way to get to know this coastline.

Where to Stay

→ Findhorn village itself is small, so book ahead in summer, and look to Forres and Nairn for a wider range of options.

Budget

Findhorn Bay Holiday Park
A caravan and camping park right on the edge of the bay, the closest base to the water.

Mid-Range

The Kimberley Inn, Findhorn
A seaside pub with rooms in the village, known locally for its seafood menu.

Higher-End

Boath House, Auldearn, near Nairn
A country house hotel about 20 minutes east, with rooms starting from around $252 per night on recent listings as of September 2026, approximate and worth confirming when you book.

Food & Drink

Local Lunch: The Bakehouse, Findhorn
→ Known for its sourdough and coffee, a good stop before or after a session.
Dinner: The Kimberley Inn, Findhorn
→ A village pub built around fresh, locally sourced seafood.
Village Pub: The Crown and Anchor, Findhorn
→ A straightforward local for bar food and a pint after the wind drops.

Photographing Findhorn Bay

Calm water, wide skies and dolphins passing through the firth make Findhorn Bay a quietly beautiful place to shoot, whether you want a tight action frame close to the water or a wide shot with Culbin Forest as a backdrop. Shoot from the shoreline path around the bay, and keep clear of the launch and landing area near the holiday park. If you shoot a session here, upload it to Surf Snaps so riders can find their shots by spot and date, and check our kitesurfing photography tips for getting sharper frames. If you were riding, search Surf Snaps for your session.

FAQ: Kitesurfing at Findhorn Bay, Moray

What is the best wind direction for Findhorn Bay?

Northeast is the main working direction, with a northwest wind on an ebbing tide considered the ideal combination by local riders.

Is Findhorn Bay good for beginners?

Yes. The bay is shallow and mostly calm, making it one of the more forgiving spots in Scotland to learn, especially with a local school on hand.

How do you get to Findhorn from Inverness?

About 30 minutes by car via the A96 to Forres, then the B9011 north to Findhorn. Public transport is limited, so a car is the easiest option.

What hazards should I know about at Findhorn Bay?

Sharp mussel shells collect in parts of the bay, and a sudden drop in wind on a falling tide can strand less experienced riders, so keep track of both wind and tide during a session.

Where can I find photos of my kitesurf session at Findhorn?

Search Surf Snaps by sport, place and date on the explore page to find galleries from the day you rode.

More Underrated Surf and Kitesurf Spots

Keep exploring with the rest of this series and our other surf travel guides.