Tang Head surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Thursday 14 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
8.6° 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 Saturday (May 16) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s is also forecast. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 17) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 9s period and expected on Wednesday (May 20) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sat 16th May)1ft (0.3m) 14s
Best Surf 1PM (Sun 17th May)5ft (1.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 4PM (Sun 17th May)5ft (1.6m) 14s

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 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Wed night, min 6°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Thu night, light winds from the NNW by Sat morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Sun morning, fresh winds from the SE by Tue morning).

Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
3
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
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
WNW
10
0.9
WNW
10
2
NNW
8
2
NW
8
1.6
NW
7
0.9
NW
6
0.5
W
8
0.3
WNW
14
0.8
W
12
1.3
W
13
1.6
W
14
1.4
W
13
1.2
W
12
1.1
W
11
1
W
11
0.8
W
10
0.6
W
10
0.4
WNW
9
0.2
W
12
0.2
W
12
0.4
W
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
331
166
452
453
253
62
29
41
190
600
960
633
403
300
231
127
68
26
12
11
58
Wind (km/h)
40
N
40
N
40
NNW
40
NNW
35
NW
25
NW
10
WNW
15
ESE
15
SE
10
WNW
10
SSE
10
E
10
E
20
SE
30
SE
35
SE
30
SE
15
SE
20
SE
10
N
5
SSW
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
High Tide
6:57AM2.90m
7:41PM2.88m
7:43AM3.08m
8:20PM3.06m
8:30AM3.21m
9:00PM3.19m
9:18AM3.26m
9:42PM3.26m
10:08AM3.23m
10:27PM3.26m
11:01AM3.09m
11:15PM3.19m
11:59AM2.90m
00:10AM3.08m
Low Tide
1:34PM0.18m
1:54AM0.46m
2:18PM0.03m
2:39AM0.23m
3:02PM-0.04m
3:24AM0.05m
3:46PM-0.02m
4:10AM-0.04m
4:31PM0.08m
4:57AM-0.05m
5:17PM0.24m
5:48AM0.04m
6:05PM0.45m
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:48
4:45
4:43
4:41
4:39
4:37
4:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:31
9:34
9:36
9:37
9:39
9:42
9:44
1
2
2
1
2
1
Temp °C
8
8
7
7
7
7
8
8
8
9
9
8
10
11
9
9
9
11
13
12
12
-1
-2
-3
-3
-2
0
5
3
4
6
6
5
6
6
2
2
3
7
12
10
11
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WNW
10
0.9
WNW
10
0.5
NE
11
0.4
NE
12
0.4
NE
12
0.4
WNW
7
0.5
W
8
0.4
WNW
8
0.8
W
12
1.3
W
13
1.6
W
14
1.4
W
13
1.2
W
12
1.1
W
11
1
W
11
0.8
W
10
0.6
W
10
1.4
SE
9
0.3
W
8
0.2
W
8
0.8
SE
8
Energy kJ
331
166
55
36
36
18
29
23
190
600
960
633
403
300
231
127
68
297
12
5
67
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
ENE
9
0.4
NNW
6
0.4
NW
5
0.4
WNW
8
0.3
SE
4
0.4
SE
4
0.3
ESE
4
0.1
N
8
0.1
N
8
0.1
N
9
0.1
W
15
0.4
WNW
9
0.2
W
12
0.2
W
12
0.4
W
14
Energy kJ
8
14
7
21
3
4
3
1
1
1
4
26
12
11
58
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
10
0.2
W
10
0.3
WNW
14
0.2
NNW
11
0.1
NE
9
0.1
NE
8
0.1
NE
8
0.2
W
13
0.1
W
16
Energy kJ
2
8
41
12
3
3
3
14
5
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
NNW
5
1.6
NNW
5
2
NNW
8
2
NW
8
1.6
NW
7
0.9
NW
6
0.4
WNW
7
0.4
SE
3
0.5
SE
3
0.8
SE
5
0.8
SE
6
1.8
SE
6
1.6
SE
8
2.2
SE
9
1.2
SE
8
1.1
SE
8
0.7
W
4
Energy kJ
100
138
452
453
253
62
21
4
5
29
44
259
281
703
187
159
17
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
2
2
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
3
1
Distance (km)
740
508
508
601
231
69
5
0
8
5
0
2
8
9
58
58
58
4
116
17
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
3
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
4
3
2
2
3
4
3
3
3
2
2
3
1
3
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
4
7
4
4
4
4
5
4
6
5
  • 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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