Tang Head surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Sunday 17 May 2026 BST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Tang Head surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Tang Head sea temperature is
8.7° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tang Head this week:

The surf forecast for Tang Head over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 17) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 3s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Tang Head in the next 16 days are 1.4m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 17) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (May 19) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sun 17th May)3ft (0.9m) 14s
Best Surf10AM (Sun 17th May)4.5ft (1.3m) 13s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sun 17th May)4.5ft (1.4m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tang Head over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon morning, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, strong winds from the SE by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed night, calm by Thu afternoon).

Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
W
13
1.4
W
13
1.4
W
12
1.2
W
12
1.1
W
11
0.9
W
10
0.7
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.4
WNW
9
0.5
W
16
0.7
W
14
1.2
W
7
1.3
W
7
0.5
W
11
0.4
W
11
0.3
W
11
0.3
W
10
0.3
W
12
0.2
W
12
0.2
W
11
0.3
W
4
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
600
683
604
389
284
167
94
61
26
118
199
138
153
61
37
20
19
27
11
9
3
Wind (km/h)
15
WSW
10
SE
5
ESE
15
SE
25
SE
25
SE
30
SE
40
SE
15
SSE
15
SW
15
SW
25
SW
30
WSW
15
WNW
15
S
10
SE
20
SE
10
WNW
10
WNW
15
NW
10
WNW
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
9:18AM3.26m
9:42PM3.26m
10:08AM3.23m
10:27PM3.26m
11:01AM3.09m
11:15PM3.19m
11:59AM2.90m
00:10AM3.08m
1:05PM2.67m
1:11AM2.94m
2:17PM2.49m
2:20AM2.81m
3:32PM2.38m
3:31AM2.72m
Low Tide
3:46PM-0.02m
4:10AM-0.04m
4:31PM0.08m
4:57AM-0.05m
5:17PM0.24m
5:48AM0.04m
6:05PM0.45m
6:42AM0.19m
6:57PM0.67m
7:43AM0.37m
7:55PM0.87m
8:52AM0.52m
9:05PM1.02m
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:41
4:39
4:37
4:35
4:33
4:31
4:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:37
9:39
9:42
9:44
9:46
9:49
9:51
1
2
2
2
3
2
1
1
4
3
Temp °C
8
9
9
11
11
9
10
10
10
13
14
12
12
10
13
14
13
14
14
13
12
6
6
6
5
5
3
3
2
7
9
9
7
6
6
12
12
10
14
12
10
11
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
W
13
1.4
W
13
1.4
W
12
1.2
W
12
1.1
W
11
0.9
W
10
0.7
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.9
ESE
6
0.7
ESE
7
0.7
W
14
0.6
W
13
0.5
W
12
0.7
W
6
0.4
NW
8
0.4
NW
7
0.3
W
10
0.5
SE
5
0.4
SE
5
0.3
SE
5
0.3
W
4
Energy kJ
600
683
604
389
284
167
94
61
62
40
199
119
69
32
24
14
19
14
7
4
3
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
ENE
8
0.1
NE
8
0.4
ESE
4
0.3
ESE
5
0.1
N
8
0.1
NE
8
0.1
W
15
0.1
W
15
0.4
WNW
9
0.5
W
16
0.6
ESE
6
0.4
SE
7
0.3
SE
6
0.5
W
11
0.4
W
11
0.3
W
11
0.3
NW
7
0.3
W
12
0.2
W
10
0.2
W
11
0.3
SE
5
Energy kJ
7
3
7
5
1
3
4
4
26
118
28
16
6
61
37
20
7
27
7
9
4
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
16
0.1
NE
8
0.1
N
8
0.1
N
8
0.2
W
13
0.3
W
8
0.3
W
8
0.3
E
6
0.2
E
6
0.3
SE
7
0.1
SE
6
0.3
W
5
0.2
W
5
0.2
W
10
0.2
W
12
0.1
W
7
0.1
W
11
Energy kJ
5
3
1
1
14
12
12
7
3
7
1
4
2
8
11
1
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SSE
3
0.3
SE
3
0.6
ESE
3
0.8
SE
5
1
SE
5
1.2
SE
5
0.3
SSW
3
1.2
W
7
1.3
W
7
0.5
W
6
0.3
SE
6
0.7
SE
4
0.3
W
4
Energy kJ
2
2
7
31
42
76
2
138
153
17
6
16
3
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
0
0
0
8
58
9
105
105
4
5
0
5
308
18
0
8
16
40
45
305
194
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
3
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
4
3
3
3
2
2
3
3
2
2
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
7
4
5
4
5
4
4
4
5
8
9
9
9
5
4
4
5
5
4
4
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Tang Head Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Tang Head provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tang Head can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tang Head surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Tang Head) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Tang Head may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Are you planning a holiday in Scotland - North Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Tang Head, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Scotland - North Coast, consider staying in Scrabster which is 17 km (11 miles) away. Other places in and around Scotland - North Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Wick which is 26 km (16 miles) away and Kirkwall, 40 km (25 miles) away.

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