Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, W swell with 457 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s 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 (Aug 19) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Beach in the next 16 days are 1.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here again, looking at Thurso Beach over the next 16 days. Let’s keep it real—this is not a classic stretch.
From the start, it’s rough. Thursday the 20th has some solid height, with 5 ft waves from the north, but the wind’s onshore and messy, period’s short at 7 seconds. The energy’s moderate at 296, but with direct onshore wind it’s a write-off for surfing. Actually, for kiteboarding it might look interesting, but for a paddle surfer, skip it. From the 18th through the 23rd, it’s cross-onshore junk.
Monday the 24th of August is your best chance. The morning’s small—2 ft from the west, 8-second period—but the wind is cross-offshore, so it’s clean. Not much power. The afternoon is better: 4 ft of west-northwest swell, period hitting 11 seconds, that’s proper groundswell, and the energy’s up to 302. The water is 57°, about half a degree warmer than usual for this time of year—nothing too weird. For a beach break, long-period waves can run a bit straight, but for a beginner-friendly spot that’s fairly consistent, you’ll get some clean little runners.
The rest of the run is mostly poor. You’ve got a few clean moments, like Tuesday the 27th afternoon with 2 ft and a cross-off breeze, and Wednesday the 2nd of September morning offering offshore winds and 4 ft, but that’s with a 5-second period—weak. Energy’s low across the board. If you’re a beginner, the 24th afternoon is your best shot. If not, you’re waiting on the next front.
Keep the hope alive—forecasts can flip quick.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the NNW by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri night, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Fri night, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | N 7 | N 7 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | N 8 | W 8 | NW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 22 | 17 | 74 | 387 | 257 | 150 | 225 | 156 | 165 | 165 | 135 | 104 | 65 | 43 | 28 | 27 | 35 | 45 | 29 | 296 | 300 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:10PM4.35m | 1:17AM4.51m | 1:52PM4.13m | 2:06AM4.17m | 2:44PM3.95m | 3:10AM3.88m | 3:54PM3.84m | 4:38AM3.72m | 5:18PM3.86m | 6:14AM3.76m | 6:34PM4.01m | 7:22AM3.94m | 7:29PM4.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:03PM1.99m | 7:36AM1.93m | 7:49PM2.25m | 8:23AM2.27m | 8:51PM2.49m | 9:29AM2.54m | 10:25PM2.60m | 11:03AM2.65m | 00:01AM2.49m | 12:23PM2.55m | 1:05AM2.25m | 1:18PM2.35m | 1:49AM1.97m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  | |  |  | | | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — |
 | — | 8:53 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:37 | — |
mm | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 7 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | N 9 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | 22 | 17 | 64 | 387 | 257 | 123 | 71 | 46 | 25 | 12 | 12 | 41 | 4 | 3 | 24 | 15 | 15 | 45 | 29 | 296 | 300 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | ESE 5 | W 12 | — | N 7 | — | NE 7 | ENE 8 | NE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 9 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | WNW 9 | N 8 | NW 10 | NNE 8 | — |
| kJ | 12 | 9 | 74 | — | 1 | — | 14 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 21 | 27 | 6 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 8 | NNE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 | N 6 | E 8 | NNE 8 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 5 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 13 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | — | — | NE 7 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | N 8 | — | — | — | ENE 7 |
| kJ | 40 | — | — | 45 | 75 | 150 | 225 | 156 | 165 | 165 | 135 | 104 | 65 | 43 | 15 | 7 | 35 | — | — | — | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 287 | 357 | 357 | 774 | 191 | 225 | 218 | 218 | 214 | 255 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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