Thurso Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into what’s on offer at Thurso Beach over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a rough patch. The next few days are looking pretty grim for a paddle. We’ve got a fresh cross-shore wind blowing through on Thursday morning, making things lumpy and messy even though there’s a 6ft swell from the West. The wind is just too strong to make it worthwhile. Thursday afternoon cleans up slightly with a cross-off breeze, but the swell drops to 5ft and the quality is still poor. Friday is a write-off too – a 7ft swell on the cards but the wind is all over the place, turning into a near gale by the afternoon with a massive 20ft swell that’s just unsurfable. Saturday brings a 10ft swell but it’s cross-shore and lumpy, and Sunday morning is a tiny 3ft with a cross-off wind, but it’s not doing much. So, basically, from Thursday right through to Sunday afternoon, it’s a grim run. You’re looking at well over a week of mostly poor conditions.

The first real bright spot, and I mean the standout of the whole outlook, isn’t until Saturday the 12th of September. Saturday morning is where it’s at. The wind is set to go glassy – absolutely dead calm – and that’s a huge deal. You’ll be looking at a clean 7ft swell from the West. The combined energy is moderate (484), so it’s got some poke but isn’t out of control. This is a great window for a beginner-friendly session, as the swell is under that 8ft expert-only mark. The water is sitting at 57°F which is about average for the time of year, nothing too wild. The crowds are a possibility here, so keep an eye out but don’t let it put you off. This is the pick of the bunch.

Now, Sunday the 13th of September is also worth a mention, but with a caveat. The swell is up to 10ft from the WNW, with a solid energy (over 2600), and the period is 11 seconds, so it’s a proper groundswell. The trouble is the wind is a light cross-on, so it’ll have a few ripples on it. It’s a step up in size, so this one is more for the experienced crew. The conditions are described as ‘marginal’ but the potential is there for some bigger walls.

Looking further out, the 15th of September (Tuesday) is a wild card. We’re seeing a massive 18ft groundswell from the WNW with a very long 16-second period. The combined energy is off the charts (15292). But honestly, for a surf break like Thurso Beach, this is just too big. The forecast literally says it’s too big. The wind is a moderate cross-shore, so it’s a chop fest. This setup would be far more interesting for the kite surfers than anyone with a paddle. The 16th of September (Wednesday) is similar, with 13ft to 15ft swells, still too big for a proper paddle session.

The very end of the outlook, on Friday the 18th of September, shows a glimmer of hope. The swell drops to 6ft with a light cross-off breeze and a ‘good surf conditions’ tag. It’s a long way off, so don’t bank on it, but it’s something to keep an eye on.

So, bottom line: if you’re keen, you’ve got a long wait. The real gold is on Saturday the 12th of September morning. Get on it if you can.

Rusty.

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