Thurso Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s coming down the line for us.

We’ve got a slow start, but the second half of the outlook builds into something you’ll want to keep an eye on. The first few days are pretty grim, with a lot of small, choppy, or blown-out surf. There’s a gap from now until about the 12th of August where the call is poor, so don’t bother waxing up just yet. Things start to get interesting from the 17th onward.

Thurso Beach is the only spot on the cards, and it’s a fairly consistent beach break that’s exposed to the north-west swell. Today, Thursday the 6th of August, is a write-off. We’ve got a weak 5 ft swell from the NNW with a short period of 6 seconds, and a cross-onshore wind of 25 km/h. The water is sitting at 56°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The combined energy is just 159, so it’s weak. Not worth a second look.

Friday the 7th morning shows a clean offshore wind from the SSW, but the swell is tiny at 3 ft and still short-period. The energy is only 98. It’s surfable for a beginner, but nothing to write home about. The afternoon picks up to 7 ft from the west with a 9-second period, and the wind swings cross-offshore. The energy jumps to 597, but the forecast still says poor conditions. The wind is strong, so it’s going to be a battle.

Saturday the 8th of August is the first real kicker, but it’s for experts only. Morning swell hits 8 ft from the west, 9-second period, with a strong cross-offshore wind. The combined energy is a solid 1097 – that’s serious power. The afternoon stays similar at 8 ft. This is big, powerful, and clean, but with that size and the strong wind, it’s going to be a handful. A beginner will get smashed. This is not a day for the faint-hearted.

Sunday the 9th is still big at 7 ft to 7 ft, but the wind is cross or cross-off and the energy is still high. It’s clean, but the size keeps it in the expert zone.

The middle of the week, Monday the 10th through Wednesday the 12th, the swell drops off hard. We’re down to 1 ft to 3 ft, with very weak energy (25 to 126). The wind is mostly offshore or light, but there’s just no push. It’s a flat spell.

Thursday the 13th of August is a little teaser. The swell is tiny at 2 ft, but the period is a long 12 seconds, and the afternoon goes glassy with zero wind. The energy is 149. It’s weak, but if you’re desperate for a longboard or a morning glass-off, it’s the best of a bad lot.

Friday the 14th is similar – small, glassy, and clean. Energy is 117 to 139. It’s ordinary, but it’s pretty.

Now, here’s where it gets good. The standout window is from the 17th of August onward. On Monday the 17th, the morning is small but the afternoon brings a clean 7 ft swell from the WNW with an 8-second period. The wind is light and cross-offshore, and the energy is 476. That’s a solid, fun, clean wave. The call is “expect good surf conditions.” This is the first real, worthwhile session.

Tuesday the 18th is ruined by a strong onshore wind – 35 km/h from the north – so it’s a mess. Leave it.

But then Wednesday the 19th of August afternoon is a true standout. The swell is 6 ft from the WNW, with a long 11-second period, and the wind is gentle and cross-offshore from the ESE. The combined energy is 681, and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is clean, punchy, and has proper groundswell power. The long period will make the sets a bit more spaced out, but it’ll be well-shaped and the paddle out will be easier. This is your best bet of the whole 16 days.

Thursday the 20th is also clean, with a 4 ft swell from the west, a 10-second period, and glassy conditions in the afternoon. Energy is 252 to 300. It’s a good follow-up day.

Friday the 21st still has a clean 5 ft swell from the WNW, but the wind switches lightly onshore. Still, it’s surfable.

So, to wrap it up: The first week is a washout. The real action starts on the 17th, with the absolute best day being Wednesday the 19th of August. That afternoon is going to be clean, punchy, and well-formed. Don’t sleep on it.

Rusty.

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