Thurso Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, I've had a look at the charts for the Thurso area. To be honest, mate, for a stretch here it’s looking pretty bleak. We’ve got a long, quiet run with hardly any energy in the water. The first bit of worthwhile surf doesn’t show up until later on, so pack your patience.

Right now, on Thursday the 30th of July, we’ve got a tiny bit of swell showing at Thurso Beach, but it’s hardly worth getting wet for. Swell is a weak 3 ft from the NNW with a short 8-second period, and the combined wave energy is only 142 – that’s weak. The water temperature is sitting at 56°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, no surprises there. Morning is your best bet, with a light cross-offshore breeze keeping things clean, but the waves are just ordinary. By the afternoon, the wind swings onshore and picks up to 18 mph, turning it into a lumpy mess.

From there, it’s a proper drought. From Friday the 31st of July all the way through to Tuesday the 11th of August, there’s not a single session I’d recommend. The swell disappears into thin air, dropping to less than 1 ft to 2 ft at best, with combined energy levels well under 100. It’s flat or close to it. You’ll see a couple of days with clean conditions and light offshore breezes, but there just isn’t any wave to ride.

The real standout, if you can call it that, comes on Monday the 3rd of August in the morning. We see a bump in swell to 5 ft from the north with a 10-second period, and the energy jumps up to 542 (moderate). The wind is light and directly offshore from the north at 6 mph, which would make for some clean lines. The issue? It's scored as marginal, likely due to tide or the fact that a northerly swell at a beach break can be a bit straight and unruly. Still, if you’re desperate, that early session on Monday is the one highlight in an otherwise empty week.

After that, it’s back to tiny waves and cross-shore winds until we get to the second week. On Wednesday the 12th of August in the afternoon, the swell starts to build again but with a short, messy 4-second period and strong onshore winds – that’s a no-go.

Finally, on Thursday the 13th of August through to Friday the 14th, we get some proper size. Thursday sees a 7 ft to 8 ft swell from the WNW with a 9-second period, and the combined energy jumps up to a strong 747 to 828. But here’s the catch – it’s coming in with a moderate cross-onshore wind, so it’ll be choppy and bumpy. That kind of size with a closing wind makes it a tough paddle and better left for the experts. Friday the 14th of August morning pushes up to 8 ft from the WNW with a 10-second period and energy over 1100 (very strong), with a light cross-onshore breeze. It’s still lumpy, but for the experienced crew, there’ll be some serious power in the water.

All in all? Don’t hold your breath for this week. If you’re keen, aim for the Monday morning session on the 3rd of August for the cleanest, most rideable waves. The big stuff later on is for the chargers with a tolerance for chop.

- Rusty

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