Tang Head surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Monday 18 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
8.8° 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 Thursday (May 21) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Tang Head in the next 16 days are 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 25) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (May 19) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Thu 21st May)2ft (0.6m) 12s
Best Surf 1AM (Tue 26th May)5ft (1.6m) 11s
Most Powerful10PM (Mon 25th May)5ft (1.6m) 12s

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 8mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Tue morning, light winds from the NW by Wed morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the W by Sat morning).

Mon
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
W
11
0.9
W
10
0.7
W
10
0.5
W
9
0.4
WNW
9
0.6
W
16
0.7
W
14
0.6
W
13
0.5
W
12
0.7
W
11
0.7
W
7
0.6
W
10
0.5
W
10
0.4
W
10
0.2
W
11
1.5
W
6
1.2
W
7
1.2
W
8
0.9
W
10
0.7
W
10
0.7
WNW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
284
167
96
43
26
172
202
119
69
121
48
72
49
31
9
186
124
181
151
92
100
Wind (km/h)
30
SE
35
SE
40
SE
35
SE
25
SE
10
NW
10
ENE
20
SW
20
SSE
20
S
15
SSE
10
SE
15
SE
5
WNW
30
W
30
W
20
SSW
25
W
20
NW
15
SE
10
SSW
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
off
High Tide
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
4:41PM2.37m
4:38AM2.68m
Low Tide
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
10:08AM0.59m
10:24PM1.06m
11:19AM0.58m
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
mod rain
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
mod rain
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:37
4:35
4:33
4:31
4:28
4:26
4:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:39
9:42
9:44
9:46
9:49
9:51
9:52
9:53
6
2
1
3
1
10
2
2
Temp °C
10
9
10
11
10
11
11
11
12
15
15
16
18
15
13
15
14
11
11
12
15
3
2
2
4
4
9
9
6
8
12
13
14
15
15
7
10
10
6
6
9
11
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
W
11
0.9
W
10
0.7
W
10
0.5
W
9
0.4
WNW
9
0.9
ESE
8
0.8
ESE
7
0.6
W
13
0.6
WSW
6
0.7
W
11
0.7
W
7
0.6
W
10
0.5
W
10
0.4
W
10
0.3
SE
5
0.3
SE
6
0.3
SE
6
0.1
SE
6
0.9
W
10
0.7
W
10
0.7
WNW
10
Energy kJ
284
167
96
43
26
98
59
119
30
121
48
72
49
31
4
6
6
1
151
92
100
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NE
8
0.1
N
8
0.1
W
15
0.1
W
15
0.2
W
13
0.6
W
16
0.7
W
14
0.4
SE
7
0.5
W
12
0.2
E
6
0.4
W
11
0.2
ESE
5
0.1
W
14
0.2
W
12
0.2
W
11
0.2
W
11
0.1
NW
7
0.1
NW
7
0.1
SE
5
0.2
W
15
Energy kJ
3
1
4
4
14
172
202
17
69
3
37
2
4
11
9
9
2
2
1
17
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
16
0.2
W
8
0.1
W
8
0.4
E
6
0.3
SE
6
0.2
SSE
6
0.1
SE
6
0.1
W
11
0.2
S
4
Energy kJ
5
5
1
13
7
4
1
2
1
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SE
4
1.2
SE
6
1.4
SE
6
1.8
SE
7
1.5
SE
8
0.8
W
5
0.4
S
3
0.4
S
3
0.3
SSE
3
0.2
SSE
5
0.4
SE
5
0.6
SE
5
1.3
W
6
1.5
W
6
1.2
W
7
1.2
W
8
0.3
SSE
4
Energy kJ
15
86
147
287
248
28
3
3
2
3
7
23
105
186
124
181
2
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
Distance (km)
58
194
599
58
9
5
8
5
0
0
2
0
4
12
161
161
0
13
296
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
1
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
5
5
5
4
4
4
5
5
7
5
5
7
9
5
4
4
5
6
  • 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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