
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period, WNW swell with 1,172 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Thurso Beach this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Beach in the next 16 days are 2.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down the next 16 days for Thurso Beach.
To be honest, it's a pretty grim stretch overall. There's plenty of size coming, but the wind is almost always from the wrong angle, making it choppy and lumpy. The water is sitting about 56°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first bit of surf shows up on Sunday the 19th, but it's a write-off. It's a 4ft WNW swell with a super short 4-second period, meaning it's weak and gutless. The energy is low (111), and the wind is a fresh cross-shore. It's lumpy and messy. Not worth it.
Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st are more of the same. The swell builds, but so does the wind. By Tuesday afternoon, we've got 7ft of messy cross-chop, and the energy is climbing (518), but with a strong breeze on it, it's just a mess. Don't bother.
The first tiny sign of hope comes on Saturday the 25th in the afternoon. The swell is a solid 8ft from the WNW with an 11-second period, and the energy is getting very strong (1172). The wind eases a bit to a moderate cross-shore. It's still only marginal, but it's the best we've seen so far. The crowd factor is "sometimes," so you might see a few others, but it's not packed.
Sunday the 26th morning is another one to keep an eye on. It's 7ft from the WNW, long period at 10 seconds, and the wind is a fresh cross-offshore, which means it's actually clean. The energy is strong (856). The wind is still a fresh breeze, so it might be a little lumpy, but it's the cleanest wave of the whole outlook. Monday the 27th morning is very similar – 8ft, 10 seconds, clean with a cross-offshore breeze, and very strong energy (1131). This is the best window right here.
After that, things get huge and dangerous. On Tuesday the 28th, the swell goes ballistic. We're talking 20ft from the WNW with a 12-second period. The energy is insane (9373). That's for experts only, and with a fresh cross-shore, it's going to be a chaotic, dangerous mess. By Wednesday the 29th, it drops to 10ft, but the wind is a near gale cross-onshore, so it's completely blown out.
The last few days of July and into August, the swell fades but the wind stays onshore or cross-shore. It's just a long run of poor conditions. The 30th and 31st both have 7ft to 8ft but with strong cross-onshore winds. Not good.
The real standout for the whole period, if you want a clean wave, is the Monday morning of the 27th of July. The cross-offshore wind and the 8ft WNW swell with a long period will give you the best chance of a decent, clean session. The Saturday morning of the 26th is a close second. For the rest of it, you're fighting the wind. If you're a kitesurfer, a lot of these days with the strong cross-shore wind and big lumpy swell will look interesting, but for a paddle surfer, it's a waiting game.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the WNW on Sun night, strong winds from the WNW by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Mainly strong winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
54 | 68 | 157 | 192 | 321 | 297 | 513 | 588 | 338 | 268 | 171 | 210 | 170 | 346 | 534 | 868 | 950 | 798 | 1172 | 716 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 1:14AM4.84m | 2:04PM4.29m | 2:03AM4.58m | 2:54PM4.11m | 2:57AM4.31m | 3:51PM3.98m | 4:00AM4.08m | 4:54PM3.95m | 5:13AM3.94m | 6:01PM4.00m | 6:29AM3.92m | 7:01PM4.14m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:58PM1.91m | 7:38AM1.51m | 7:46PM2.13m | 8:29AM1.81m | 8:40PM2.34m | 9:27AM2.09m | 9:49PM2.49m | 10:35AM2.28m | 11:12PM2.51m | 11:45AM2.35m | 00:26AM2.39m | 12:46PM2.31m | 1:24AM2.19m | |||||||
— | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | 4:45 | — | — | 4:47 | — | — | |
— | 10:02 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:59 | — | — | 9:57 | — | — | 9:54 | — | — | 9:53 | — | — | 9:52 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | WNW 11 | W 11 | W 10 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | — | W 9 | N 7 | WNW 8 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 11 |
11 | 43 | 37 | 33 | 6 | 12 | 5 | — | 27 | 1 | 171 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 716 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 12 | W 9 | N 6 | N 6 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | — | — | W 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
46 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | N 6 | NE 7 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
7 | 6 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | — |
54 | 68 | 157 | 192 | 321 | 297 | 513 | 588 | 338 | 268 | — | 210 | 170 | 346 | 534 | 868 | 950 | 798 | 1172 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 71 | 141 | 261 | 617 | 359 | 844 | 953 | 359 | 327 | 71 | 479 | 26 | 957 | 26 | 424 | 1114 | 844 | 458 | 27 | 664 |
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.










