Surf Forecasts:
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 Type | Time (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 ForecastLight 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 SummaryLight 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 | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | NE 4 | W 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | W 10 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 149 | 50 | 19 | 12 | 22 | 68 | 57 | 35 | 29 | 10 | 25 | 154 | 524 | 479 | 450 | 270 | 159 | 88 | 786 | 502 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | ||||||||
 |  | | | |  | |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | 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 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 10 | W 9 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | E 6 | W 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | W 10 | W 9 |
| kJ | 149 | 50 | 19 | 11 | 10 | 68 | 57 | 27 | 41 | 103 | 64 | 16 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 270 | 159 | 88 | 786 | 502 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 8 | WNW 11 | N 8 | N 7 | W 8 | W 8 | N 4 | N 6 | N 8 | N 7 | SE 6 | E 5 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 8 | N 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 12 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 35 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 50 | 38 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | N 6 | N 8 | W 8 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | WNW 7 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 10 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | SE 3 | SE 4 | SE 3 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | NE 4 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | — | W 5 | SSW 3 | SE 4 |
| kJ | 12 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 20 | 2 | 29 | — | 25 | 154 | 524 | 479 | 450 | 121 | — | 11 | 1 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 41 | 41 | 177 | 177 | 41 | 1 | 9 | 165 | 165 | 209 | 180 | 25 | 71 | 541 | 482 | 191 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
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.
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