Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 7s period, N swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, W swell with 264 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 7s period with N 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 17) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 7s. 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – this next stretch for Thurso Beach is looking properly flat. We’ve got a long, dry spell of useless surf ahead, with more days of chopped-up nothing than I care to count.
The first ten days, from the 15th through the 24th, are a total bust. It’s all knee-high slop, with weak swells and a wind that just won’t give us a break. Plenty of cross and onshore breezes, and nothing with any power behind it. The wave energy is mostly weak, even when it gets up around 293 on the afternoon of the 15th, it’s sloppy. There’s just no shape to anything. It’s the kind of stuff that’ll make you wonder why you bother.
Now, I’m not one for false hope, but there is one morning that looks like it might just save the whole 16 days. On the morning of Tuesday, August 25th, the stars finally align for a little while. We get a clean, light offshore breeze from the southeast, and the swell is a touch over 4ft from the west, with a 9-second period. The combined energy is up around 295, which is a decent push. It’s the only proper window we get, and it should be clean and glassy. For the beginners out there, 4ft is pushing it a bit, but it should still be rideable. Just be aware that the usual suspects will have the same idea, so expect some company in the lineup.
That Tuesday morning is the one to circle, but I wouldn't call it a guarantee. It’s the only decent looking surf in a fortnight of flatness. The water temp is sitting right at a normal 56°F for this time of year, so a wetsuit is definitely in order. There are a couple of other clean days here and there, like the 24th and the 27th, but the swell just isn't there. This is one of those stretches where patience is key. Keep the board waxed, keep watching the charts, and hope the next system comes through with a bit more to offer. For now, it's a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | N 7 | W 9 | N 7 | N 7 | NNE 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | NNW 6 | WNW 5 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 270 | 270 | 187 | 91 | 40 | 39 | 41 | 24 | 14 | 22 | 57 | 149 | 192 | 247 | 159 | 121 | 78 | 74 | 65 | 48 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 11:19PM5.28m | 11:55AM4.77m | 11:57PM5.10m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:07PM1.40m | 5:37AM0.98m | 5:45PM1.53m | 6:16AM1.25m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — |
 | — | 9:01 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:53 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:45 | — |
mm | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 8 | NNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | E 6 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | N 6 |
| kJ | 23 | 12 | 26 | 91 | 36 | 39 | 26 | 24 | 14 | 16 | 57 | 149 | 192 | 247 | 159 | 89 | 57 | 23 | 21 | 24 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | WNW 6 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | ESE 4 | NE 7 | — | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NNE 7 |
| kJ | — | 3 | 11 | 42 | 40 | 13 | 41 | 22 | 12 | 22 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 2 | — | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 16 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 12 | W 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NNE 8 | W 8 | ESE 5 | N 7 | — | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 3 | 31 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 11 | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | ESE 2 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | — | — | E 5 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | NNW 6 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | 270 | 270 | 187 | — | — | — | 1 | 16 | 51 | — | — | 4 | 18 | 43 | 124 | 121 | 78 | 74 | 65 | 48 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 595 | 26 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 41 | 0 | 71 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 73 | 191 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 287 | 53 |
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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