Thurso Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Thurso Beach. The next sixteen days are a bit of a mixed bag, but I’ll walk you through it.

First off, the water temp here is sitting around 57°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start. Sunday the 30th sees some small, weak swell around 3 ft from the north, with a short period of 7 seconds and weak energy (80). The ESE wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but honestly, it’s pretty ordinary. Not much to get excited about. Monday the 31st drops off even more, with tiny 1 ft swell and hardly any energy (27). The wind goes light and cross-off in the morning, so it’s glassy, but there’s just no wave to ride.

Tuesday the 1st of September stays weak, with the morning offering nothing. The afternoon picks up a bit with 7 ft from the WNW, but that comes with a strong 25 mph cross-shore wind that’s going to mess it up completely. The energy is moderate (495), but the conditions are poor.

Wednesday the 2nd is a bit better. The morning has 5 ft from the NNW with a light east wind blowing cross-shore, so it’s rideable but a bit bumpy. Energy is moderate (486), but it’s still only marginal. The afternoon is cleaner with 5 ft from the north and a cross-off breeze, but the swell is still average.

Thursday the 3rd brings a jump in size. The morning has 7 ft from the west with a strong cross-off wind, but the period is only 7 seconds, so it’s a bit messy. The afternoon is the first real standout: 8 ft from the west, a period of 11 seconds, and strong energy (1374). The wind is cross-off and clean. That’s a solid groundswell with decent shape—good for a go.

Friday the 4th gets bigger, but it’s not for everyone. The morning has 10 ft from the WNW with a 12-second period and very strong energy (2512). That’s expert territory, and the wind is strong cross-off, so it’s clean but powerful. The afternoon drops to 7 ft but the wind swings cross-shore and makes a mess. Saturday the 5th is still sizeable but windy and choppy, with cross-shore winds over 25 mph. Not great.

We then hit a quiet patch. From Sunday the 6th through to Thursday the 11th, the swell is small, mostly under 3 ft, with weak energy. Winds are variable, but there’s just not enough wave to bother with. Friday the 11th afternoon sees a 4 ft west swell, but it’s short period and onshore, so it’s choppy.

The real highlight comes on Saturday the 12th of September. The morning has a massive 12 ft swell from the WNW with a 9-second period and very strong energy (1872). The wind is cross-off and moderate, so it’s clean. However, for a beach break like Thurso, this is too big for all but the most experienced. It’s going to be a beast, and honestly, it might be more interesting for the kite surfers than paddle surfers. The afternoon is similar, with 12 ft and very strong energy (2405), but the wind picks up to a fresh breeze.

Sunday the 13th is still big at 8 ft, but the wind is messy. Monday the 14th is a better option: 7 ft from the NNW with a light cross-off breeze and moderate energy (479). It’s clean and should offer some good waves. The afternoon is smaller at 4 ft but still clean.

So, the best on offer is the afternoon of Thursday the 3rd of September, with that clean 8 ft west swell and good period. The Saturday the 12th is massive and clean, but only for the experts. The Monday the 14th is a solid, user-friendly option.

Rusty

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