
Surf Forecasts:
The Left surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 15s period, W swell with 14,190 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 8s. 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 6.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 20ft (6.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Left over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Wednesday morning looks a bit average right now—a cross-onshore breeze chopping up The Left (point) with knee-high 4ft waves from the west. Not much to get excited about. But Wednesday afternoon shapes up nicely as the wind swings cross-off, and those 4ft waves clean right up. It’s a soft start, but the energy’s building underneath.
Thursday’s when it gets real. A fresh offshore SSW wind hits the 8ft west swell early, and though the tide might be iffy, there’s real push in the water. Thursday afternoon bumps up to 13ft with a strong cross-off breeze—still clean but rough around the edges. That’s heavy stuff. Friday morning is the standout of the early stretch: 16ft from the WNW, 13 seconds of period, solid but not maxed energy (8972), and a clean cross-off. It’s big, though—expert territory, no two ways about it.
Saturday gets messy. Strong cross-off winds but the quality nose-dives, and by Sunday we’ve got 16ft plus near gale cross-shore winds—that’s a complete blown-out mess. Forget paddling, that’s kite-surfing if anything. The swell’s there but it’s not rideable.
Monday, September 21st, brings it back to human scale. Swell drops to 7ft, glassy clean with a gentle cross-off breeze, and conditions are proper for experienced surfers. That’s a nice reset. Tuesday morning holds similar, but the afternoon goes soft with a weird 17-second pulse mixing in—long period, but sloppy.
Wednesday the 23rd is another gem: 8ft from the west, 13 seconds, light offshore from the ESE, clean. Excellent for those with a bit of skill. That one’s worth circling on the calendar.
Then we hit a lull from the 24th through the 26th. Smaller waves, some rain showers, mostly junk—though the 26th morning surprises with 7ft from the north, glassy, calm, and smooth. Nice little window there. The 25th morning is a monster though—16ft WNW, 12 seconds, exceptional conditions for experts only, with light offshore winds. That’s a big, clean, powerful day—best of the whole run if you’ve got the nerve.
After that, the 27th fades to 3ft, and then it’s pretty much flat from the 28th through October 1st. Small waves, onshore winds, and eventually nothing more than thigh-high slop. A real blank stretch.
Water’s about average for this time of year at The Left, so you don’t need a thick suit yet, just a decent one.
So here’s the deal: if you’ve got the skills, Friday morning the 18th and the 25th morning are the big ones—but they’re serious. For most of us, Monday the 21st and Wednesday the 23rd are the sweet spots. Don’t sleep on that 26th morning glass, either.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Wed afternoon, strong winds from the W by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the W on Sat night, light winds from the SW by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | W 11 | W 9 | W 10 | W 12 | W 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 16 | W 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
400 | 329 | 430 | 1170 | 7084 | 13427 | 7383 | 3864 | 1818 | 2149 | 2821 | 5352 | 6254 | 4636 | 2455 | 1406 | 878 | 530 | 556 | 1771 | 2892 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 12:19PM4.44m | 00:35AM4.38m | 12:56PM4.22m | 1:21AM4.04m | 1:43PM4.00m | 2:27AM3.75m | 2:54PM3.82m | 4:08AM3.61m | 4:32PM3.79m | 5:51AM3.71m | 5:57PM3.94m | 6:54AM3.95m | 6:54PM4.19m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:27PM1.89m | 6:47AM2.04m | 7:09PM2.16m | 7:27AM2.38m | 8:04PM2.43m | 8:25AM2.67m | 9:34PM2.60m | 10:12AM2.82m | 11:27PM2.52m | 11:54AM2.69m | 00:34AM2.26m | 12:51PM2.43m | 1:18AM1.97m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 7:32 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 11 |
Feels °C | 8 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | W 10 | N 8 | N 9 | N 9 | WNW 12 | W 12 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | N 8 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 16 | W 15 |
318 | 264 | 108 | 1170 | 22 | 13 | 6 | 3864 | 1818 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2455 | 1406 | 12 | 530 | 556 | 1771 | 2892 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 11 | SE 4 | N 8 | — | — | — | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 8 | N 9 | W 19 | W 10 | N 7 |
400 | 329 | 6 | 32 | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 40 | 190 | 459 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 8 | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | — |
— | 42 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 35 | 20 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 9 | SW 5 | W 12 | W 14 | WNW 13 | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | — | — | WNW 11 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 430 | 67 | 7084 | 13427 | 7383 | — | — | 2149 | 2821 | 5352 | 6254 | 4636 | — | — | 878 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 773 | 34 | 0 | 397 | 422 | 678 | 776 | 421 | 7 | 759 | 803 | 647 | 756 | 418 | 345 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










