The Left Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.62° N 3.65° W

The Left Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 11 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Left sea temperature is
13.6°C
0.9° 

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 11 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period, W swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, WNW swell with 6,064 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period with W 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Left in the next 16 days are 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Fri 11th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 10s
Best Surf 1AM (Sat 12th Sep)6.5ft (2.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 1AM (Fri 18th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, I’ve been staring at the charts for The Left and let me tell you, it’s a bit of a mixed bag coming our way. This is a classic point break setup, exposed to the NW, and it’s fairly consistent, but the wind and size are going to call the shots over the next couple of weeks.

First off, the water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is just about bang on for this time of year, nothing wild there.

We’re kicking off on Friday the 11th, but honestly, it’s a write-off. We’ve got a 7ft W swell but it’s short-period at 7 seconds and the cross-off wind is a solid 22 mph. The wave energy is weak, only 431, and the conditions are just poor. Not worth paddling out for. That rough stretch keeps going into Saturday the 12th – the swell jumps to 10ft and even 12ft with a 13-second period, but that’s way too big for most and the wind is howling. You’d need to be an expert and even then, with 25 mph cross winds, it’s a mess. Honestly, for the first few days, if you’re into kites, the beach setups might be more interesting than paddle surfing here.

Now, things start to turn around Sunday morning the 13th. That’s our first real glimmer. The swell drops to a manageable 6ft from the WNW, period stretches to 11 seconds, and the wind switches to a gentle 9 mph cross-off. The wave energy is moderate at 895, and the forecast calls for very good surf. This is clean, and it’s a good size for intermediates. This is a solid option.

Monday the 14th is looking like the true standout of the first week. The swell is a little smaller, around 4ft from the NNW, but the period is a nice long 12 seconds – proper groundswell – and we get offshore winds at 12 mph in the morning. That’s clean, glassy conditions for a point break. The wave energy is a moderate 567, but the quality will be high. Light rain in the afternoon but the wind stays light and cross-off. If you’ve got a window, Monday morning is the call.

We then hit a bit of a lull mid-week. Tuesday the 15th is a write-off with onshore winds and rain. Wednesday the 16th is marginal, with 5ft to 6ft swell but cross and cross-off winds keeping it a bit bumpy.

Then we get a big pulse of energy. Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th see the swell jump back to 10ft to 12ft from the WNW, with periods up to 13 seconds. The combined energy is massive, over 4000 (4424 on Friday morning). But the wind is a strong breeze, cross-off or cross. This is big, powerful, and for experts only. The wave energy is extremely high, so be prepared for a washing machine. The conditions are marginal at best due to the wind strength.

The weekend of the 19th and 20th September looks much more promising. Saturday the 19th has a 7ft to 8ft W swell with moderate cross-off winds. Then Sunday the 20th is the best on offer for the whole forecast period. We’ve got a 5ft W swell, 10-second period, and clean offshore winds from the SSE all day. The wave energy is a moderate 550-578, and the forecast says “very good surf conditions.” It’s clean, manageable, and the crowd situation at The Left can be “sometimes” busy, but on a day like this, it’ll be worth it. That Sunday is the one to circle.

Into the second week, things hold some promise. Monday the 22nd and Tuesday the 23rd see 6ft to 7ft W swells with cross-off winds, but nothing that screams epic.

Then we get another big standout. Wednesday the 23rd of September – that’s over a week away, so keep an eye on it – shows 8ft W swell with a 12-second period and offshore winds from the S. The combined energy is 1617 (moderate-strong), and the forecast is for “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s the biggest quality call in the whole run, but the size (8ft) means it’s for the more advanced crew.

Thursday the 24th keeps the swell going at 7ft to 10ft, but the wind cranks up to 25 mph offshore. That makes for clean faces but extremely hard paddling.

After that, we trail off into the 25th and 26th with dropping swell and turning winds. The last few days are marginal.

So, to wrap it up: the first few days are a bust. Sunday the 13th is your first good session. Monday the 14th is a top pick for clean, offshore waves. But the absolute best of the bunch is Sunday the 20th September – clean offshore winds, fun-sized swell, and great conditions. Keep an eye on Wednesday the 23rd for a more powerful, expert-level session, but that’s a long-range call so don’t bank on it yet.

Stay stoked, and I’ll see you in the water.
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sat morning, light winds from the NNW by Sun afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 56mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, strong winds from the WSW by Wed night).

Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
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
1
4
1
0
3
3
2
3
3
3
1
0
0
0
1
2
0
1
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)
2.1
W
7
2.1
W
9
2
W
10
3
WNW
13
3.5
WNW
13
2.4
WNW
12
1.9
WNW
11
1.6
WNW
10
1.1
NNW
12
1.1
NNW
12
1
N
12
1.3
W
10
0.9
W
11
1.6
W
10
1
W
10
1.6
W
11
1.8
W
11
2.5
W
9
3
W
11
3.5
WNW
12
4
WNW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
428
653
867
2587
3495
1619
823
530
398
379
294
327
182
520
192
643
716
1028
2238
3650
6064
Wind (km/h)
35
WSW
30
WSW
15
S
35
SW
40
W
15
W
15
SW
5
NNW
15
S
20
S
10
SSW
15
WNW
25
N
25
WNW
30
NW
25
WNW
30
WSW
35
W
40
WSW
45
W
45
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
on
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
High Tide
9:38PM5.31m
10:12AM5.01m
10:14PM5.32m
10:45AM4.94m
10:49PM5.21m
11:16AM4.81m
11:23PM5.00m
11:47AM4.64m
11:58PM4.71m
12:19PM4.44m
00:35AM4.38m
12:56PM4.22m
1:21AM4.04m
Low Tide
3:29PM1.34m
3:55AM0.82m
4:05PM1.28m
4:31AM0.90m
4:40PM1.32m
5:06AM1.09m
5:15PM1.44m
5:39AM1.36m
5:50PM1.64m
6:12AM1.69m
6:27PM1.89m
6:47AM2.04m
7:09PM2.16m
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:35
6:37
6:39
6:41
6:43
6:46
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:46
7:44
7:40
7:38
7:36
7:32
7:30
 mm
3
1
1
1
17
27
2
2
4
2
Temp °C
14
14
12
15
14
12
14
14
14
16
16
15
13
13
12
12
12
13
13
13
12
Feels °C
7
8
9
9
7
9
11
13
10
12
15
15
9
8
7
7
6
6
4
4
3
  • 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 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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