The Left Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.62° N 3.65° W

The Left Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Left sea temperature is
13.1° C
0.4° 

The Left surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


The Left surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with 3,209 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period with WNW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Left this week:

The surf forecast for The Left over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Left in the next 16 days are 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) 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 0.1m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sat 25th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 11s
Best Surf 4PM (Sat 25th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 11s
Most Powerful10PM (Fri 24th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Left over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' for The Left over the next couple of weeks.

You know, it's a funny one. For the first few days, honestly, it's a bit of a write-off. We've got a solid NW swell direction, which is exactly what this point wants, but the wind gods are just not playing ball. From Saturday the 18th right through to Wednesday the 22nd, it's a mess of cross-onshore and cross-shore winds, mostly in the 15 to 25 mph range. The wave energy is there – we're seeing moderate energy readings around 147 to 368 – but with that wind, it's just choppy and lumpy. Not a wave you'd paddle out for. A real shame, because the size is there, 4 ft to 6 ft, and the period is okay, but it's just blown out.

Then, on Thursday the 23rd, we get a little glimmer. Thursday morning shows a clean window with a cross-offshore breeze from the WSW. The swell drops a bit to 5 ft, but it's clean and the energy is 245. It's described as "marginal," but that's a big step up from the days before. It could be a sneaky session if you're keen and conditions hold.

Now, hold on to your board, because things get interesting. Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th are where the real action is. The swell is pumping up to 10 ft to 12 ft out of the WNW, and the energy is massive – 1742 to 2248 – that's strong, powerful groundswell. The period is 9 to 11 seconds, which is solid. Friday is still a bit blowy with a cross-offshore, but it's clean. The standout, though, is Saturday afternoon, July 25th. The wind drops to a glassy 3 mph from the north. The swell is a still-very-hefty 8 ft with a long 11-second period, and the energy is 1585. That is "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers" right there. This is your best bet. The Left is a point break, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in beautifully and line up. It's going to be a proper big-wave day for the crew who know what they're doing. Keep in mind, at this size, it's strictly for the experts.

After that peak, the swell slowly winds down. We get another decent window on Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th of July, with offshore winds forecast. The swell is a more manageable 5 ft to 3 ft, and the energy is moderate (373 to 401). The wind is off-shore, so it'll be clean. Not the same as the 25th, but a solid, fun session.

Looking further out, the start of August has a few more promising moments. On Saturday, August 1st, we get another glassy afternoon with a 5 ft swell and 10-second period. The energy is 356. It's a marginal call, but with glassy conditions, it could clean up nicely. The rest of the first week of August looks like it drops off into smaller, cleaner days with cross-offshore winds, but nothing to write home about.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off, but the end of the second week is where the magic is. Saturday, July 25th is the standout. Be there for the afternoon glass-off. It'll be big, it'll be clean, and it'll be for the experienced crew only. The Left is a point break, and with that long-period swell, it's going to be a thing of beauty.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sat night, strong winds from the WNW by Tue morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Wed night, near gales from the WSW by Thu night).

Sat
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
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
NW
7
1
WNW
7
0.9
WNW
7
1.1
WNW
4
1
WNW
5
1.3
WNW
8
1.3
WNW
8
1.3
WNW
8
1.7
WNW
6
1.8
WNW
7
2.1
WNW
7
1.7
NW
8
1.4
WNW
8
1.2
WNW
8
1.4
WNW
8
1.9
W
6
2.5
W
7
3.5
WNW
9
3.5
WNW
10
4
WNW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
171
111
84
47
44
237
197
192
239
306
443
364
242
174
226
293
698
1742
2248
3122
Wind (km/h)
25
NNW
20
NW
20
WNW
30
WNW
20
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
35
WNW
40
W
40
WNW
25
NW
20
NW
20
WNW
20
WSW
35
W
35
WSW
50
WSW
40
W
40
W
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
00:29AM5.05m
1:16PM4.50m
1:14AM4.84m
2:04PM4.29m
2:03AM4.58m
2:54PM4.11m
2:57AM4.31m
3:51PM3.98m
4:00AM4.08m
4:54PM3.95m
5:13AM3.94m
6:01PM4.00m
Low Tide
6:14PM1.70m
6:51AM1.22m
6:58PM1.91m
7:38AM1.51m
7:46PM2.13m
8:29AM1.81m
8:40PM2.34m
9:27AM2.09m
9:49PM2.49m
10:35AM2.28m
11:12PM2.51m
11:45AM2.35m
00:26AM2.39m
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:35
4:37
4:39
4:41
4:43
4:46
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:05
10:02
10:01
10:00
9:58
9:55
9:53
 mm
1
Temp °C
12
11
13
14
12
12
13
12
12
13
13
12
13
12
18
16
14
15
14
13
Feels °C
7
7
8
9
8
8
9
7
5
6
6
8
10
8
13
10
4
6
7
5
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 The Left Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for The Left provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Left can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Left 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 (The Left) 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 The Left 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 The Left, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Scotland - North Coast, consider staying in Scrabster which is 7 km (4 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 38 km (24 miles) away and Kirkwall, 56 km (35 miles) away.

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