
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, NNW swell with 784 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period with NNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Thurso Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Beach in the next 16 days are 1.9m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, I've had a look at the charts for the Thurso area. To be honest, mate, for a stretch here it’s looking pretty bleak. We’ve got a long, quiet run with hardly any energy in the water. The first bit of worthwhile surf doesn’t show up until later on, so pack your patience.
Right now, on Thursday the 30th of July, we’ve got a tiny bit of swell showing at Thurso Beach, but it’s hardly worth getting wet for. Swell is a weak 3 ft from the NNW with a short 8-second period, and the combined wave energy is only 142 – that’s weak. The water temperature is sitting at 56°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, no surprises there. Morning is your best bet, with a light cross-offshore breeze keeping things clean, but the waves are just ordinary. By the afternoon, the wind swings onshore and picks up to 18 mph, turning it into a lumpy mess.
From there, it’s a proper drought. From Friday the 31st of July all the way through to Tuesday the 11th of August, there’s not a single session I’d recommend. The swell disappears into thin air, dropping to less than 1 ft to 2 ft at best, with combined energy levels well under 100. It’s flat or close to it. You’ll see a couple of days with clean conditions and light offshore breezes, but there just isn’t any wave to ride.
The real standout, if you can call it that, comes on Monday the 3rd of August in the morning. We see a bump in swell to 5 ft from the north with a 10-second period, and the energy jumps up to 542 (moderate). The wind is light and directly offshore from the north at 6 mph, which would make for some clean lines. The issue? It's scored as marginal, likely due to tide or the fact that a northerly swell at a beach break can be a bit straight and unruly. Still, if you’re desperate, that early session on Monday is the one highlight in an otherwise empty week.
After that, it’s back to tiny waves and cross-shore winds until we get to the second week. On Wednesday the 12th of August in the afternoon, the swell starts to build again but with a short, messy 4-second period and strong onshore winds – that’s a no-go.
Finally, on Thursday the 13th of August through to Friday the 14th, we get some proper size. Thursday sees a 7 ft to 8 ft swell from the WNW with a 9-second period, and the combined energy jumps up to a strong 747 to 828. But here’s the catch – it’s coming in with a moderate cross-onshore wind, so it’ll be choppy and bumpy. That kind of size with a closing wind makes it a tough paddle and better left for the experts. Friday the 14th of August morning pushes up to 8 ft from the WNW with a 10-second period and energy over 1100 (very strong), with a light cross-onshore breeze. It’s still lumpy, but for the experienced crew, there’ll be some serious power in the water.
All in all? Don’t hold your breath for this week. If you’re keen, aim for the Monday morning session on the 3rd of August for the cleanest, most rideable waves. The big stuff later on is for the chargers with a tolerance for chop.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | WNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
102 | 75 | 102 | 188 | 139 | 144 | 94 | 144 | 144 | 159 | 222 | 784 | 509 | 293 | 190 | 108 | 86 | 80 | 41 | 40 | 26 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:12AM4.53m | 10:14PM4.89m | 10:43AM4.59m | 10:44PM4.94m | 11:14AM4.61m | 11:15PM4.95m | 11:46AM4.59m | 11:48PM4.91m | 12:20PM4.52m | 00:23AM4.81m | 12:59PM4.42m | 1:04AM4.67m | 1:46PM4.29m | 1:55AM4.48m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:04PM1.69m | 4:30AM1.35m | 4:37PM1.63m | 5:03AM1.31m | 5:10PM1.63m | 5:36AM1.32m | 5:43PM1.68m | 6:12AM1.38m | 6:19PM1.78m | 6:50AM1.50m | 6:59PM1.93m | 7:34AM1.68m | 7:47PM2.10m | ||||||||
4:58 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:03 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:40 | — | — | 9:38 | — | — | 9:36 | — | — | 9:34 | — | — | 9:31 | — | — | 9:29 | — | — | 9:27 | |
mm | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 12 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | WNW 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 |
102 | 75 | 28 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 93 | 144 | 144 | 119 | 222 | 784 | 509 | 293 | 190 | 108 | 86 | 80 | 41 | 40 | 26 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 7 | — | — | — | N 11 | NNW 8 | W 10 | WNW 8 | — | — | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 10 | W 11 |
40 | 27 | — | — | — | 2 | 94 | 2 | 22 | — | — | 74 | 26 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | N 12 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 6 | W 9 | W 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 |
1 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 2 | ENE 2 | — | — | — |
— | — | 102 | 188 | 139 | 144 | — | 64 | 53 | 159 | 127 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 31 | 306 | 291 | 585 | 1 | 962 | 413 | 53 | 71 | 0 | 31 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 8 | |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Thurso Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Thurso Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Thurso Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Thurso Beach 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 (Thurso Beach) 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 Thurso Beach 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 Thurso Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Scotland - North Coast, consider staying in Scrabster which is 2 km (1 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 31 km (19 miles) away, Kirkwall and Lossiemouth.











