Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period, WNW swell with 1,146 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period with WNW 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 23) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s 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 2.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) 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 1.0m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got the outlook for the next couple of weeks. For a while there, it’s a pretty grim picture, but there is one shining moment that’s got me a bit excited. Let’s get into it.
The run starts with a real flat spell. From Wednesday the 19th right through to Sunday the 23rd, it’s all poor surf with onshore slop. Nothing to get out of bed for. The wind is cross-on or onshore, the swell is small and messy, and the whole thing is a write-off. You’ll be staring at a lumpy sea and thinking about other hobbies.
Then, on Monday the 24th, it all changes. That’s the standout. Thurso Beach wakes up with a solid 7ft W’ly groundswell arriving at 11 seconds — that’s proper energy. The combined energy of all swells directed here is 1081, so there’s plenty of power in the water. Wind is light and variable in the morning, then goes glassy in the afternoon. That’s a dream day. The offshore wind direction is S for the morning, swinging to ENE for that glassy afternoon. The water is about average for the time of year, so nothing unusual there. The swell is a bit much for beginners, but for anyone with a bit of experience, it’s going to be a cracker. The waves will be clean, lined up, and with that long period, the sets will have some punch. Keep in mind the long period might make it a bit straight at the beach, but Thurso handles it well. The crowds are only sometimes an issue, so you’ll get your share.
After that, things drop off again. Tuesday the 25th is smaller and clean, but only 4ft and 3ft, with the energy dropping. Wednesday the 26th into the weekend sees tiny waves, mostly 2ft to 3ft, and while the wind is offshore or cross-off a lot of the time, the swell just isn’t there. The combined energy for those days is weak, 51 to 219. Then from the 30th into the first few days of September, it’s back to very small, 2ft to 3ft, with cross-on winds and a lot of rain showers. Not much to write home about.
So, the takeaway: the first week is a total bust, then Monday the 24th is your absolute best bet. Get on it, because the rest of the outlook is looking pretty quiet. The second week is small and inconsistent, with a few clean windows but no real swell to surf. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a one-day wonder.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue night, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Tue night, fresh winds from the N by Thu morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sat morning, calm by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 11 | W 10 | N 7 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 5 | N 9 | W 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 387 | 257 | 134 | 194 | 280 | 218 | 165 | 164 | 67 | 126 | 85 | 66 | 150 | 80 | 344 | 1080 | 1027 | 563 | 313 | 125 | 87 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:52PM4.13m | 2:06AM4.17m | 2:44PM3.95m | 3:10AM3.88m | 3:54PM3.84m | 4:38AM3.72m | 5:18PM3.86m | 6:14AM3.76m | 6:34PM4.01m | 7:22AM3.94m | 7:29PM4.24m | 8:08AM4.17m | 8:10PM4.48m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:36AM1.93m | 7:49PM2.25m | 8:23AM2.27m | 8:51PM2.49m | 9:29AM2.54m | 10:25PM2.60m | 11:03AM2.65m | 00:01AM2.49m | 12:23PM2.55m | 1:05AM2.25m | 1:18PM2.35m | 1:49AM1.97m | 1:59PM2.11m | 2:26AM1.71m | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — |
mm | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | N 9 | N 9 | N 6 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 |
| kJ | 387 | 257 | 123 | 71 | 46 | 25 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 126 | 56 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 344 | 1080 | 1027 | 563 | 313 | 125 | 87 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 4 | — | NE 8 | — | NE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | W 9 | W 8 | — | — | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | N 8 | N 7 | — | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | WNW 11 | NNW 8 |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | 15 | — | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 6 | — | — | 13 | 6 | 5 | 1 | — | 20 | 16 | 91 | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 9 | — | — | — | NW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 9 | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 5 | WNW 4 | W 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | SE 2 | SE 3 | SE 4 |
| kJ | 45 | 53 | 134 | 194 | 280 | 218 | 165 | 164 | 67 | 11 | 85 | 66 | 150 | 80 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 37 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 73 | 346 | 363 | 585 | 756 | 235 | 285 | 255 | 94 | 218 | 255 | 28 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 9 | 0 |
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.
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