Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 21ft (6.5m), 14s period, WNW swell with 15,194 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period with W 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Beach in the next 16 days are 6.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 21ft (6.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk Thurso Beach. First couple of days are total duds – Tuesday and Wednesday are cross-onshore chop, rain showers, and nothing worth paddling for. The water is about 57°F, a bit warmer than average for the season, but still nippy.
First decent chance is Thursday, September 17th. You’ve got a clean 8ft west swell with offshore winds at 19 mph. It’s a bit big for beginners, but it’s clean, with moderate wave energy (1108). Thursday afternoon, the swell jumps to 12ft west, winds go cross-off, and the energy ramps up strong (3144). That’s expert-only territory. Friday, September 18th is the true standout. Friday morning, we’re talking 18ft WNW groundswell, 13-second period, cross-off winds, and very strong energy (10936). That’s massive – only for the brave. Friday afternoon drops to a still-huge 13ft WNW, still clean, still very strong energy (4634). Those two days are the best of the run, but it’s serious, big-wave stuff.
Saturday and Sunday the swell drops from 10ft to 12ft, but winds turn messy – strong breezes, then cross-shore chop. Poor quality. By Monday the 21st, we’re down to 8ft west swell, moderate breeze, clean-ish but marginal.
There’s a quiet patch until Wednesday, September 23rd. Wednesday afternoon is the next real highlight: 8ft WNW groundswell with a long 13-second period, light offshore breeze out of the southeast at 6 mph, and clean conditions. That’s the best all-rounder for experienced surfers – powerful, shaped, and not too crowded, with strong wave energy (1977). The long period means it’ll work better if there’s a point or reef nearby. Thursday the 24th is a mess again – strong onshore winds.
Friday, September 25th offers a gentler session: 5ft north swell with gentle offshore winds, clean, and decent energy (404). Good for a log or a fun board. After that, the last days of September are mostly poor – strong winds, lumpy cross-shore, and weak energy. The 27th has a small clean 6ft west groundswell, but nothing special.
Bottom line: Friday the 18th is the big, expert-only standout. Wednesday the 23rd is the sweet spot for experienced surfers who want clean, long-period waves. Beginners should wait for another run.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Wed afternoon, strong winds from the WSW by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the W on Sat night, light winds from the S by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | NW 6 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | W 12 | W 9 | W 10 | W 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 192 | 214 | 403 | 329 | 354 | 1076 | 3133 | 12629 | 10936 | 4634 | 1850 | 1752 | 2221 | 5015 | 4945 | 3249 | 1569 | 1388 | 1096 | 832 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:58PM4.71m | 12:19PM4.44m | 00:35AM4.38m | 12:56PM4.22m | 1:21AM4.04m | 1:43PM4.00m | 2:27AM3.75m | 2:54PM3.82m | 4:08AM3.61m | 4:32PM3.79m | 5:51AM3.71m | 5:57PM3.94m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:50PM1.64m | 6:12AM1.69m | 6:27PM1.89m | 6:47AM2.04m | 7:09PM2.16m | 7:27AM2.38m | 8:04PM2.43m | 8:25AM2.67m | 9:34PM2.60m | 10:12AM2.82m | 11:27PM2.52m | 11:54AM2.69m | 00:34AM2.26m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | |  | |  | | |  | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | 7:35 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:17 | — |
mm | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 8 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | N 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | W 10 | N 8 | N 8 | — | WNW 12 | W 12 | N 9 | N 9 | — | — | — | WNW 12 | N 7 | N 8 | W 10 |
| kJ | 192 | 153 | 152 | 218 | 112 | 1076 | 11 | 6 | — | 4634 | 1850 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 1569 | 1 | 5 | 832 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | SE 6 | W 12 | W 11 | SSE 4 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 8 |
| kJ | 68 | 1 | 403 | 329 | 12 | 32 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | — | — | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | 66 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | NW 6 | NW 8 | — | W 10 | SSW 4 | W 11 | W 14 | WNW 13 | — | SW 4 | W 9 | W 10 | W 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SSE 3 | W 11 | W 11 | — |
| kJ | 26 | 214 | 145 | — | 354 | 42 | 3133 | 12629 | 10936 | — | 23 | 1752 | 2221 | 5015 | 4945 | 3249 | 3 | 1388 | 1096 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1091 | 772 | 27 | 1 | 412 | 417 | 674 | 696 | 422 | 1 | 458 | 804 | 645 | 579 | 413 | 346 | 0 | 26 | 21 | 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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