Cayton Bay

  • Cayton Bay - Yorkshire
    © John Fielding and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Cayton Bay - Yorkshire
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  • Cayton Bay - Yorkshire
    © steven ruffles and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Cayton Bay - Yorkshire
    © Chris Charlesworth and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Cayton Bay - Yorkshire
    © Pauline Eccles and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Cayton Bay - Yorkshire
    © John Fielding and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Cayton Bay - Yorkshire
    © Alan Walker and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Located around 3 miles south of Scarborough, Cayton Bay beach is generally pretty quiet. Comprising a large sweep of fine sand backed by cliffs this beach has a wild air about it.

    Popular with surfers and windsurfers alike the bay here is exposed to the full force of the North Sea. The beach is home to one of the longest established surf schools anywhere in the UK. The Scarborough Surf School has a been running surf lessons at Cayton since 1989.

    There is also plenty of natural interest at Cayton Bay. A firm favorite of both bird watchers and fossil hunters, the cliffs here were formed in the Jurassic period around 150 million years ago.

    Towards the northern end of the beach are some WWII pill boxes. This part of the bay is known as Johnny Finton’s Harbour, although nobody seems very sure who Johnny was!

    However, this section of beach is perhaps best known for being a naturist spot. But before you do throw your clothes and caution to one side it appears this is not officially condoned. In fact Scarborough Council have erected signs stating that naturism is prohibited here and “offenders” may be prosecuted. So be warned or maybe try Fraisthorpe beach a few miles to the south.

    Type of beach

    Sandy

    Lifeguard service

    Yes

    Dogs friendly beach?

    Dogs allowed

    Dogs allowed on the beach all year

    Yorkshire dog friendly beaches »

    Activities

    • Swimming/bathing
    • Surfing
    • Wind surfing

    Facilities

    • Cafe/restaurant
    • Toilets
    • Town centre nearby
    • Shop

    Nudist/naturist beach

    Yes

    Nearest town

    Scarborough

    Postcode

    YO11 3NP

    OS grid ref.

    TA 0685 8446

    Parking

    parking available - charges apply

    Water quality

    Water quality star rating

    Awards

    Marine Conservation Society Recommended

    Submit a correction

    Cayton Bay Reviews

    Aug 28th 2022

    Best beach in Yorkshire !

    Amazing beach

    Yorkie
    Sep 14th 2023

    Gently sloping sandy beach, but there are many signs stating ‘Naturism is not permitted on any beach’.  So, in the eyes of Scarborough Borough Council, you cannot go nude in this area.

    Aug 29th 2022

    Beautiful beach especially at low tide. Great for dogs. Small hut selling refreshments and toilets. A fairly steep walk down but we’ll worth it.

    Notes & pending corrections

    2021-10-04

    Cayton Bay is no longer a nudist beach and there is now signage clearly stating nudity is not permitted

    2022-02-01

    The naturist beach was closed due to misbehaviour

    2022-07-03

    Re: Cayton Bay, why would you state naturism is allowed on the check list part at the end when the narrative part you state the council have put signs up stating it is prohibited? Families regularly use this beach and do not want to see naked bodies unexpectedly.

    2022-07-30

    Re: naturism at Cayton Bay/Johnny Flintons Harbour. It is totally incorrect to suggest that a sign threatening prosecution for naturism at Cayton Bay is illegal and people need to 'be warned'. It is not illegal there or elsewhere though good sense would suggest some discretion as to where it is practiced. The Council locally have no powers to prosecute

    These corrections have been acknowledged and are awaiting verification before we update the page. We would suggest you double check the information here as we have not yet confirmed its accuracy.