Thurso Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.60° N 3.52° W

Thurso Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso Beach sea temperature is
13.5°C
0.3° 

Thurso Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Thurso Beach surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, W swell with 840 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with NNW 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Beach in the next 16 days are 2.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Mon 31st Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Best Surf 1AM (Tue 1st Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 9s
Most Powerful 7PM (Mon 31st Aug)7ft (2.2m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s break down what’s happening at Thurso Beach. It’s a slow start, with a long stretch of pretty weak surf. The water’s about 56°F, which is normal for this time of year.

From Tuesday the 25th through Saturday the 30th, it’s mostly small and mediocre. Swell heights are a foot or less, and wave energy is weak to moderate – not much to work with. Winds are mostly cross-off from the SE, keeping it tidy, but there’s no power. Sunday the 30th morning shows a bit more with a 4ft NW swell and a short period of 7 seconds, but it’s cross-onshore and only moderate energy (228). Not worth suiting up.

From Monday the 31st into early September, the swell picks up but it’s messy. On the 1st of September, we get a light offshore breeze in the afternoon with a 3ft W swell – rideable but not great. The 2nd of September brings a 6ft W swell Wednesday morning with a cross-off breeze, but the period’s short and the energy’s moderate.

Here’s the big one, but only for experts. Thursday the 3rd of September sees a massive 13ft W groundswell in the morning, period of 9 seconds, and very strong energy (2942). Winds are light and cross-off, so it’ll be clean, but it’s way too big for most folks. The afternoon gets even bigger at 16ft from the WNW! That’s for pros only. Friday the 4th is still huge with an 12ft NW swell in the morning – again, experts only.

After that, it drops off. Saturday the 5th of September morning has a 5ft NNW swell with light cross-off winds and moderate energy, but it’s rated as marginal. Then it fades back into small, weak conditions through to the 9th, with another big, windy pulse on the 8th and 9th that’s either too messy or just too much.

Bottom line: if you’re an expert, Thursday the 3rd of September is your day – massive, clean groundswell. For everyone else, there’s not much to get excited about.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sat night, calm by Sun night).

Tue
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
W
10
0.6
W
8
0.4
W
8
0.3
W
8
0.3
WNW
11
0.6
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.5
W
8
0.9
NE
4
0.3
W
8
0.6
WNW
6
1.3
WNW
7
1.9
WNW
9
1.8
NW
8
1.9
NW
8
1.6
NNW
8
1.2
NNW
8
0.8
N
8
2
W
10
1.7
W
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
149
50
19
12
22
68
57
35
29
10
25
154
524
479
450
270
159
88
786
502
Wind (km/h)
25
SE
20
SE
30
SE
25
ESE
15
SE
20
SE
25
SE
10
ESE
10
N
20
NW
30
W
25
W
20
WNW
35
WNW
30
NW
25
NW
10
WNW
15
SSE
25
SSE
15
SW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
8:10PM4.48m
8:43AM4.38m
8:45PM4.70m
9:14AM4.57m
9:16PM4.89m
9:44AM4.72m
9:46PM5.03m
10:13AM4.81m
10:16PM5.11m
10:42AM4.84m
10:47PM5.13m
11:13AM4.82m
11:19PM5.06m
Low Tide
2:26AM1.71m
2:35PM1.88m
2:59AM1.48m
3:08PM1.68m
3:31AM1.30m
3:40PM1.52m
4:03AM1.17m
4:11PM1.43m
4:35AM1.10m
4:44PM1.40m
5:08AM1.12m
5:17PM1.45m
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:56
6:00
6:01
6:03
6:05
6:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:35
8:31
8:29
8:27
8:23
8:21
8:17
 mm
2
3
1
1
5
Temp °C
15
13
16
17
14
17
17
14
14
14
14
15
13
12
12
12
9
13
13
14
Feels °C
10
9
11
13
12
13
13
12
13
11
10
10
9
6
6
7
5
8
6
7
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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