Surf Forecasts:
The Left surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, N swell with 949 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s period. 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) 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 1.0m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Left over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty, and here’s how it’s looking for The Left, now in feet and miles.
Alright, we’ve got a slow burn to start for this classic point break, but the second week has some real thunder, especially for the experienced crew. Let’s get into it.
The Left. The first bit of surf that’s worth a mention is Monday, August 24th, but don’t get your hopes up. We’re looking at a 7 ft WNW swell with an 11-second period in the morning, dropping to 6 ft in the afternoon. Combined swell energy is 933 in the morning, easing to 764. The wind is a cross-off from the SE at 9 to 12 mph. It’s clean enough, but the report calls it marginal with questionable tide. It’s more of a leg-burner than a wave of the day. Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th are total washouts, with the swell fading out and poor conditions.
We get a little peek on Thursday the 27th morning. A 2 ft W swell at 10 seconds, only 91 combined energy, and a light offshore wind from the S at 9 mph. It’s clean but tiny. The report says surfable but very ordinary. You’d be on a log if you went out. Friday and Saturday the 29th and 30th have some size (8 ft on Saturday), but the wind is messy with cross and cross-off lines. The current water temp is about average for this time of year.
Now, the best bet in the first week is Sunday the 30th morning. That swell is still a solid 8 ft from the N, but the key is glassy conditions with a 3 mph S wind. Combined energy is 873. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” For a point break like The Left, an 8 ft N swell with a glassy surface is a treat. The period is a short 8 seconds, so it won’t be the most lined-up thing, but it’ll be punchy and fun. Watch the tide. This is the only real highlight in the first 9 days.
Then it goes quiet again. Monday and Tuesday are poor with onshore and cross winds, and the swell drops.
Now the real magic is in the second week, and it’s impressive for the brave souls. There is a big gap of several days with no solid recommendations before this, so hang tight.
Thursday, September 3rd, we see things improve. Morning brings a 5 ft W swell at 8 seconds, with a light cross-off from the WSW at 6 mph. Combined energy is 330. The forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” The afternoon builds to 6 ft WNW with a 6-second period, still clean. That’s a solid, fun day for intermediate types.
Friday, September 4th, the swell jumps. Morning has 8 ft WNW at 8 seconds, combined energy 685, but the wind is a light cross-on from the NW. The afternoon gets bigger: 8 ft NW at 9 seconds, and the combined energy spikes to 1257. It’s marginal on the tide but a strong pulse. This one will be hefty and a bit lumpy.
But the real standout? Sunday, September 6th morning. A tiny 2 ft swell? Wrong – look at the period: 20 seconds! That’s a very long period groundswell from the WNW. Combined energy is 620, and it’s clean with a cross-off from the SE at 9 mph. A point break like The Left is built for this. It’ll be smooth, powerful lines with long lulls. Expect very good surf conditions.
Then Monday, September 7th. This is the big one. Morning: 10 ft W swell at 15 seconds, with a gentle offshore from the SSE at 9 mph. Combined energy? A massive 3734. The afternoon is the same size, 10 ft W at 14 seconds, with energy at 4131. The report says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is huge, ground, and clean. Over 8 ft, it’s for experts only. A very long period on a point break means serious speed and power. Crowds are possible, but with this size, only the hardcore will be out.
Tuesday, September 8th, we have 8 ft W at 12 seconds, but the wind goes cross from the WNW, bringing some chop. Still solid, but the window closes.
So to sum it up: don’t bother paddling out until Sunday the 30th morning for a glassy session around 8 ft. The true standouts are Sunday September 6th with a ridiculous long-period groundswell and clean conditions, and Monday September 7th for the big, expert-level, offshore perfection. That Monday is the one to save for.
Stay stoked,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the SE by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the WSW by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 8 | W 9 | NW 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
925 | 763 | 551 | 317 | 149 | 49 | 24 | 14 | 35 | 90 | 59 | 35 | 22 | 112 | 111 | 709 | 949 | 836 | 870 | 790 | 503 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 7:22AM3.94m | 7:29PM4.24m | 8:08AM4.17m | 8:10PM4.48m | 8:43AM4.38m | 8:45PM4.70m | 9:14AM4.57m | 9:16PM4.89m | 9:44AM4.72m | 9:46PM5.03m | 10:13AM4.81m | 10:16PM5.11m | 10:42AM4.84m | 10:47PM5.13m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:18PM2.35m | 1:49AM1.97m | 1:59PM2.11m | 2:26AM1.71m | 2:35PM1.88m | 2:59AM1.48m | 3:08PM1.68m | 3:31AM1.30m | 3:40PM1.52m | 4:03AM1.17m | 4:11PM1.43m | 4:35AM1.10m | 4:44PM1.40m | ||||||||
5:52 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 6 | — | 2 | 14 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 8 | W 9 | NW 8 | W 11 | ESE 8 | W 9 | ESE 8 | E 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | E 10 | E 9 | E 8 | W 13 | W 12 | E 6 |
925 | 763 | 551 | 317 | 149 | 49 | 24 | 14 | 35 | 90 | 59 | 47 | 33 | 112 | 111 | 153 | 57 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | — | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | W 10 | E 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 |
— | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 12 | 12 | 5 | 90 | 46 | 35 | 19 | 56 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | W 7 | N 8 | N 7 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | ESE 11 | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | E 3 | SE 3 | SE 3 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | E 3 | E 4 | — | ESE 4 | — | WNW 6 | — | NNE 5 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 |
8 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 18 | — | 10 | — | 22 | — | 95 | 709 | 949 | 836 | 870 | 790 | 503 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 34 | 17 | 26 | 158 | 170 | 278 | 0 | 9 | 63 | 17 | 32 | 186 | 186 | 148 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
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.











