
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, W swell with 1,146 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 6s period with N 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Beach in the next 16 days are 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 07) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s coming down the line for us.
We’ve got a slow start, but the second half of the outlook builds into something you’ll want to keep an eye on. The first few days are pretty grim, with a lot of small, choppy, or blown-out surf. There’s a gap from now until about the 12th of August where the call is poor, so don’t bother waxing up just yet. Things start to get interesting from the 17th onward.
Thurso Beach is the only spot on the cards, and it’s a fairly consistent beach break that’s exposed to the north-west swell. Today, Thursday the 6th of August, is a write-off. We’ve got a weak 5 ft swell from the NNW with a short period of 6 seconds, and a cross-onshore wind of 25 km/h. The water is sitting at 56°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The combined energy is just 159, so it’s weak. Not worth a second look.
Friday the 7th morning shows a clean offshore wind from the SSW, but the swell is tiny at 3 ft and still short-period. The energy is only 98. It’s surfable for a beginner, but nothing to write home about. The afternoon picks up to 7 ft from the west with a 9-second period, and the wind swings cross-offshore. The energy jumps to 597, but the forecast still says poor conditions. The wind is strong, so it’s going to be a battle.
Saturday the 8th of August is the first real kicker, but it’s for experts only. Morning swell hits 8 ft from the west, 9-second period, with a strong cross-offshore wind. The combined energy is a solid 1097 – that’s serious power. The afternoon stays similar at 8 ft. This is big, powerful, and clean, but with that size and the strong wind, it’s going to be a handful. A beginner will get smashed. This is not a day for the faint-hearted.
Sunday the 9th is still big at 7 ft to 7 ft, but the wind is cross or cross-off and the energy is still high. It’s clean, but the size keeps it in the expert zone.
The middle of the week, Monday the 10th through Wednesday the 12th, the swell drops off hard. We’re down to 1 ft to 3 ft, with very weak energy (25 to 126). The wind is mostly offshore or light, but there’s just no push. It’s a flat spell.
Thursday the 13th of August is a little teaser. The swell is tiny at 2 ft, but the period is a long 12 seconds, and the afternoon goes glassy with zero wind. The energy is 149. It’s weak, but if you’re desperate for a longboard or a morning glass-off, it’s the best of a bad lot.
Friday the 14th is similar – small, glassy, and clean. Energy is 117 to 139. It’s ordinary, but it’s pretty.
Now, here’s where it gets good. The standout window is from the 17th of August onward. On Monday the 17th, the morning is small but the afternoon brings a clean 7 ft swell from the WNW with an 8-second period. The wind is light and cross-offshore, and the energy is 476. That’s a solid, fun, clean wave. The call is “expect good surf conditions.” This is the first real, worthwhile session.
Tuesday the 18th is ruined by a strong onshore wind – 35 km/h from the north – so it’s a mess. Leave it.
But then Wednesday the 19th of August afternoon is a true standout. The swell is 6 ft from the WNW, with a long 11-second period, and the wind is gentle and cross-offshore from the ESE. The combined energy is 681, and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is clean, punchy, and has proper groundswell power. The long period will make the sets a bit more spaced out, but it’ll be well-shaped and the paddle out will be easier. This is your best bet of the whole 16 days.
Thursday the 20th is also clean, with a 4 ft swell from the west, a 10-second period, and glassy conditions in the afternoon. Energy is 252 to 300. It’s a good follow-up day.
Friday the 21st still has a clean 5 ft swell from the WNW, but the wind switches lightly onshore. Still, it’s surfable.
So, to wrap it up: The first week is a washout. The real action starts on the 17th, with the absolute best day being Wednesday the 19th of August. That afternoon is going to be clean, punchy, and well-formed. Don’t sleep on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Thu afternoon, strong winds from the SW by Sat morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue night, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sun morning, calm by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | N 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | NW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | W 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
151 | 38 | 22 | 79 | 594 | 664 | 1075 | 984 | 417 | 716 | 794 | 915 | 665 | 415 | 217 | 108 | 64 | 28 | 17 | 17 | 18 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | off |
High Tide | 2:44PM4.17m | 3:01AM4.28m | 3:55PM4.11m | 4:23AM4.15m | 5:15PM4.16m | 5:55AM4.19m | 6:32PM4.36m | 7:16AM4.39m | 7:36PM4.63m | 8:20AM4.63m | 8:30PM4.91m | 9:12AM4.84m | 9:16PM5.15m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:50PM2.27m | 9:36AM2.09m | 10:15PM2.33m | 11:01AM2.17m | 11:47PM2.18m | 12:22PM2.08m | 1:01AM1.85m | 1:26PM1.88m | 1:59AM1.47m | 2:19PM1.67m | 2:49AM1.13m | 3:05PM1.49m | 3:34AM0.89m | ||||||||
5:13 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:09 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 18 |
Feels °C | 7 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 19 | 21 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | N 6 | W 5 | W 6 | N 7 | W 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | W 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 12 | W 9 | W 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | W 10 |
8 | 38 | 22 | 79 | 1 | 664 | 20 | 18 | 417 | 26 | 54 | 264 | 88 | 415 | 217 | 108 | 64 | 28 | 17 | 17 | 18 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | W 10 | N 6 | W 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | — | NNW 9 | SE 6 | NNW 9 | N 9 | SE 6 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 |
1 | 17 | 12 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 28 | 2 | 26 | 64 | 1 | 48 | 28 | 16 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | NE 8 | W 10 | N 7 | — | N 11 | — | — | — | — | N 9 | — | — | — | SE 5 | NW 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 12 | W 11 | NNW 7 |
1 | 3 | 17 | 3 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | WNW 5 | SSW 2 | SSW 3 | W 9 | SSW 4 | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 9 | W 9 | NW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | — | — | ESE 3 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SSE 3 | — |
151 | 21 | 1 | 6 | 594 | 7 | 1075 | 984 | — | 716 | 794 | 915 | 665 | 141 | — | — | 3 | 7 | 9 | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 213 | 255 | 0 | 117 | 359 | 0 | 413 | 379 | 1 | 180 | 346 | 205 | 27 | 191 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 24 | 28 | 24 |
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.











