Fishing at Scarborough South Bay

BeachNorth Yorkshire🐾 Seasonal daytime dog ban★★☆ family

Two bays either side of the castle headland — sandy low-water fishing in the bays for whiting and flatfish, with cod, pollack and wrasse from the rocky Marine Drive that divides them.

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What you can catch → Full fish guide

Species	Season	Method
Cod (Atlantic Cod)	Oct–Feb	Crab bait fished hard on the bottom from Marine Drive
Pollack (Pollock)	Apr–Oct	Float-fished strip or lures worked round the rocky ledges
Whiting	Oct–Feb	Lug or fish strip cast onto the sand in either bay
Mackerel	Jun–Sep	Feathers or spinners over high water

Tactics

Fish the sands in either North or South Bay at low tide for whiting, flatfish and mackerel. For a bigger variety, head to Marine Drive, the rocky stretch linking the two bays — cod is the main target there, with pollack, coalfish, wrasse, pouting and conger also on the cards. Fresh crab in summer will catch most species; switch to float-fished mackerel or sandeel strip when targeting pollack specifically.

Best tide: Low tide in the bays; any state on Marine Drive · Best time: Autumn and winter for cod; summer for mackerel and wrasse

Dogs

North Yorkshire Council's PSPO bans dogs from the main bathing areas of Scarborough South Bay and North Bay from 1 May to 30 September (fixed penalty £100). Parts of both beaches remain open to dogs year-round, away from the main tourist areas, and Marine Drive itself isn't part of the restricted sand. (the page confirms a general Scarborough-area seasonal ban but never names South Bay specifically or distinguishes it from North Bay)

Unofficial source: View the supporting source →Not an authority; check current signage.

Access & parking

South Bay Underground car park on Foreshore Road. Sat-nav: YO11 2HD.Get directions → Family rating: ★★☆ — Busy tourist beaches with all the usual seafront amenities; Marine Drive itself has slippery rock and sea-facing exposure, better suited to older kids.

FAQs

Is Scarborough South Bay dog friendly?

The main bathing beach bans dogs 1 May–30 September; other stretches and Marine Drive stay open to dogs year-round.

What can you catch off Marine Drive, Scarborough?

Cod is the headline species, with pollack, coalfish, wrasse, pouting and conger also caught over the rocky ground.

Best time to fish Scarborough's bays?

Low tide for the sandy bays; cod fishing on Marine Drive is best in autumn and winter.

Nearby marks

Filey Brigg · Whitby West Pier

Last updated 16 July 2026 — sources & disclaimer

Compiled from angling guides, forums and the relevant council's dog byelaws, cross-checked where possible.

Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.