Thurso Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.60° N 3.52° W

Thurso Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso Beach sea temperature is
13.7° C
0.2° 

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 17 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 0.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. 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 1.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Wed 19th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 12s
Best Surf 1AM (Wed 19th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 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

Right then, folks, Rusty here again, this time in feet and miles. Let’s break down what’s coming.

Honestly, the next week and a half is a bit of a dud. From now through to about the 24th of August, it’s mostly small, weak, and choppy with onshore or cross-shore winds putting the brakes on. There’s nothing worth rushing out for.

Things start to perk up towards the end of the month. The first real standout window is Tuesday the 25th of August. The water temperature here is sitting at 57°F, which is pretty much average for the time of year, so nothing unusual there. The morning at Thurso Beach is the one to pencil in. We’ve got a clean 4 ft swell coming from the west, with a light offshore breeze out of the south-southwest. The combined swell energy is moderate at 289, and with a period of 9 seconds, those waves will have some decent shape. That offshore wind is a big plus, giving you clean, lined-up waves that are good for everyone from beginners to regulars. This is the session to aim for.

Later that afternoon and into Wednesday the 26th, the swell drops a little but the offshore winds hang around. It’s still surfable, but not the same quality as that Tuesday morning window.

Looking further out, Saturday the 29th of August shows a hint of something bigger. The morning brings a 6 ft swell from the north-northwest, with light winds and a clean look. The energy is strong at 416, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so it might be a bit lumpy and lack that deeper groundswell feel. Still, worth keeping an eye on.

For the rest of the second week, the wind picks up and the consistency fades. Nothing else really jumps out as a must-surf day.

So, wrap it up like this: if you can make it on Tuesday the 25th of August, that’s your best bet for clean, fun waves. The rest? Mostly waiting and watching.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Mon night, calm by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Thu afternoon). Mainly fresh winds.

Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
AM
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
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
N
7
0.5
W
9
0.5
N
7
0.5
N
7
0.4
N
7
0.6
W
12
1.3
W
11
1.1
W
11
0.8
W
10
1.4
N
6
1.4
N
6
1.4
N
6
1.3
NNW
6
1.2
NNW
5
1.4
NNW
5
1.2
NNW
6
1.1
NW
6
0.9
WNW
6
0.7
WNW
6
0.9
WNW
8
0.9
WNW
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
38
41
23
22
17
103
387
272
133
134
148
151
126
80
106
87
77
62
34
103
78
Wind (km/h)
10
ENE
20
E
30
ESE
10
SE
15
NW
5
NE
20
ENE
20
NE
25
NNE
30
N
25
N
25
NNW
25
NNW
25
NW
25
W
30
NW
25
NW
20
NW
20
WNW
25
WNW
15
W
Wind State
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
12:32PM4.57m
00:36AM4.83m
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
Low Tide
6:23PM1.74m
6:55AM1.57m
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
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:37
5:39
5:41
5:43
5:46
5:48
5:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:57
8:53
8:51
8:49
8:45
8:43
8:40
 mm
8
3
3
1
3
3
1
Temp °C
13
13
13
15
15
13
12
13
12
12
11
11
11
12
12
12
13
13
14
13
13
Feels °C
11
9
8
12
13
13
8
8
7
6
5
5
5
7
6
6
8
10
10
9
11
  • 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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