Surf Forecasts:
The Left surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 11s period, WNW swell with 1,245 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Left in the next 16 days are 2.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Left over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s going down at The Left over the next couple of weeks. This is a point break that’s exposed to the northwest, pretty consistent, and best for intermediates. It’s a spot that can handle some size, but the first few days are a write-off.
From Tuesday the 18th through Sunday the 23rd, it’s mostly blown out. Onshore and cross-onshore winds in the 15 to 30 mph range mess up small waves—mostly 2ft to 5ft, with weak energy readings (34 to 394). Lumpy, choppy, not worth paddling out. There’s a real gap here with no good recommendations until the week turns.
Monday the 24th afternoon is the one. We get a 7ft swell from the west-northwest with an 11-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 867—that’s proper moderate energy. The wind is light offshore out of the south-southeast at 6 mph, so the surf will be clean with nice lines. The swell direction matches the northwest optimum, perfect for a point. Water temp is 57°F, about average for this time of year. Crowds are possible here sometimes, so expect some company if it’s working. That 7ft is a bit much for beginners, but for intermediates, this is the standout session of the whole outlook.
Tuesday the 25th gives a smaller follow-up: 3ft in the morning from the west with light offshore wind, and then Tuesday afternoon goes glassy with a smooth 3ft from the west. Energy drops to 117, but the clean conditions make for a nice, relaxed surf.
After that, from Wednesday the 26th onward, it’s a lot of small, clean but weak surf with cross-offshore winds, low energy (70 to 224), and pretty ordinary conditions. There’s a marginal run on Saturday the 30th with some bigger swell up to 7ft and moderate offshore winds, but the period is short at 8 seconds, so it won’t be as clean or well-shaped as the Monday standout.
Into September, Monday the 1st and Tuesday the 2nd offer clean, small waves (3ft to 3ft) with light offshore winds—nothing special, but a decent paddle.
Bottom line: circle Monday the 24th afternoon. That’s your best bet.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue night, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Tue night, fresh winds from the N by Thu morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sat morning, calm by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 10 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 9 | N 9 | W 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 387 | 252 | 197 | 295 | 431 | 421 | 339 | 279 | 264 | 162 | 81 | 81 | 130 | 80 | 371 | 1174 | 1027 | 563 | 367 | 153 | 66 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:52PM4.13m | 2:06AM4.17m | 2:44PM3.95m | 3:10AM3.88m | 3:54PM3.84m | 4:38AM3.72m | 5:18PM3.86m | 6:14AM3.76m | 6:34PM4.01m | 7:22AM3.94m | 7:29PM4.24m | 8:08AM4.17m | 8:10PM4.48m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:36AM1.93m | 7:49PM2.25m | 8:23AM2.27m | 8:51PM2.49m | 9:29AM2.54m | 10:25PM2.60m | 11:03AM2.65m | 00:01AM2.49m | 12:23PM2.55m | 1:05AM2.25m | 1:18PM2.35m | 1:49AM1.97m | 1:59PM2.11m | 2:26AM1.71m | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — |
mm | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | N 9 | NNE 9 | N 8 | NNE 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 387 | 252 | 123 | 71 | 45 | 25 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 162 | 80 | 52 | 22 | 24 | 371 | 1174 | 1027 | 563 | 367 | 153 | 66 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 17 | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 8 | — | W 10 | WNW 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | N 7 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | WNW 11 | WSW 10 |
| kJ | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | — | 8 | 15 | 21 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 20 | 16 | 65 | 32 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 17 | — | WNW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 9 | NNW 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 14 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 9 | WNW 4 | W 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | SE 3 | SE 4 |
| kJ | 67 | 73 | 197 | 295 | 431 | 421 | 339 | 279 | 264 | 15 | 81 | 81 | 130 | 80 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 28 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 65 | 345 | 362 | 590 | 756 | 239 | 289 | 258 | 87 | 222 | 258 | 21 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 34 | 17 | 8 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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