
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 12s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, W swell with 346 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. 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 1.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
Honestly, it’s looking pretty bleak for the next week or so. We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak, and mostly messy surf. The first real opportunity doesn’t show up until Tuesday, the 14th, and even then, it’s marginal. After that, there’s a run of poor conditions right through the weekend and into the start of the following week. The models are hinting at a pulse of energy later on, but we’ll get to that.
Thurso Beach is the only break on the radar, and it’s a tough one right now. The water temp is sitting at 54°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year – nothing unusual there.
The first flicker of life comes on Tuesday morning, July 14th. The wind will be light and cross-offshore from the ESE, setting up a clean surface. We’ll see a 4 ft swell from the WNW, with a long period of 11 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, and at Thurso Beach, a beach break, that long period might make it a bit straight and tricky. The combined energy is moderate at 328. It’s not going to be pumping, but it’s the best we’ve seen in a while.
Moving into the middle of the second week, there’s a significant uptick in size. Monday morning, July 20th, the swell jumps to 6 ft from the WNW, with a short, weak period of 6 seconds and energy at 289. Couple that with a moderate cross-onshore breeze, and it’s a choppy, blown-out mess.
The weekend of the 19th and 20th is a washout with strong winds and poor surf quality. Then on Tuesday, July 21st, the wind goes cross-off from the SSW, cleaning things up, but the swell is a mixed bag from the NNW, with moderate energy readings of 596 in the morning. There’s a lot of energy in the water, but it’s not well-organized.
The only true standout in this entire 16-day window is the late afternoon of Thursday, July 23rd. This is a long-range call, so treat it with a bit of caution, but it looks promising. We’re looking at a 8 ft swell from the WNW, with a very long period of 13 seconds. The combined energy rockets up to 1860, which is strong. The caveat is the wind is a strong cross-shore from the west at 25 mph, creating messy cross-chop. This is serious, powerful swell, but only for experts. The size and power will be too much for most, and the chop will make it a battle. The quality isn’t there for a classic day, but the raw potential is undeniable.
Thursday the 24th still has some decent size, with 7 ft and 6 ft swells, but the wind remains cross-shore, keeping it from being a true standout.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. Tuesday the 14th offers a brief, clean, and small window. The real punch of swell comes on the 23rd, but it’s a wild, expert-only affair. If you’re desperate, keep an eye on Thursday the 24th for a slightly cleaner, more manageable 6 ft, but it’s still not going to be perfect.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thu 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
225 | 214 | 97 | 332 | 346 | 267 | 203 | 129 | 66 | 43 | 28 | 33 | 29 | 69 | 314 | 233 | 125 | 63 | 40 | 25 | 16 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 4:32PM4.19m | 4:44AM4.32m | 5:39PM4.30m | 5:57AM4.37m | 6:43PM4.48m | 7:09AM4.50m | 7:42PM4.70m | 8:15AM4.66m | 8:36PM4.92m | 9:14AM4.82m | 9:27PM5.10m | 10:07AM4.91m | 10:14PM5.21m | 10:57AM4.92m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:45PM2.31m | 11:26AM1.91m | 00:02AM2.14m | 12:33PM1.81m | 1:08AM1.85m | 1:33PM1.67m | 2:06AM1.53m | 2:27PM1.53m | 2:58AM1.22m | 3:16PM1.44m | 3:47AM0.99m | 4:03PM1.40m | 4:34AM0.87m | ||||||||
— | — | 4:20 | — | — | 4:22 | — | — | 4:24 | — | — | 4:24 | — | — | 4:26 | — | — | 4:28 | — | — | 4:30 | |
— | 10:16 | — | — | 10:15 | — | — | 10:15 | — | — | 10:14 | — | — | 10:12 | — | — | 10:10 | — | — | 10:08 | 10:07 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 20 |
Feels °C | 21 | 20 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 |
225 | 214 | 97 | 332 | 346 | 267 | 203 | 129 | 66 | 43 | 28 | 33 | 29 | 69 | 314 | 233 | 125 | 63 | 40 | 25 | 13 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | W 12 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NE 7 | E 7 | NNW 6 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | WNW 13 | W 19 | — | W 18 | W 18 | — | — | W 9 |
20 | 9 | 73 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 35 | 7 | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | 16 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 21 | — | NE 6 | W 19 | — | W 18 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | 2 | 7 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 2 | ESE 2 | SE 3 | SE 3 | SE 2 | SE 3 | ESE 3 | SE 3 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 0 | 71 | 71 | 8 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 51 | 24 | 8 | 165 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 24 | 71 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











