Thurso Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.60° N 3.52° W

Thurso Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 05 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso Beach sea temperature is
13.3° C
0.0° 

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 6 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, NNW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, W swell with 1,702 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Beach in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Thu 6th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 6s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 10th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 10s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sun 9th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, I'm Rusty, and I've got the local gen on the surf ahead for Thurso Beach.

Right now, the outlook is a bit of a slow burn. We've got a fair bit of wind and lumpy conditions to get through before we see any real quality. The water temp is sitting at 56°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so nothing to write home about there.

The first few days are a write-off. Wednesday the 5th is a mess, and Thursday the 6th is all cross-onshore and lumpy. The real action doesn't start to build until the end of the week. Friday the 7th afternoon sees a bump in size to 6ft from the west, with a period of 8 seconds and clean conditions thanks to a cross-offshore wind. The wave energy is moderate (479). Saturday the 8th keeps that energy going, with 6ft to 7ft west swell, but the wind is fresh and the conditions are just "marginal".

Now, the standout window is Sunday the 9th, and it's a ripper for the big boys. The morning session is going to be pumping with a solid 8ft west swell, a 10-second period, and clean conditions. The wave energy is strong (1444). That is a proper groundswell, and for a beginner, it's too big – it's strictly for the experienced crew. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a cross-shore wind, but that morning is the pick of the entire forecast.

After that, we get a drop-off. Monday the 10th morning is a nice surprise with a 5ft swell from the NNW, a 10-second period, and a light offshore wind from the south. This is the best all-rounder of the week. The energy is still moderate (630), but the conditions will be clean and the waves should be fun for a bigger range of abilities. The wind is light, so it'll be glassy and clean.

The rest of the first week and into the second week is a mixed bag. Tuesday the 11th is small, Wednesday the 12th is tiny. Crowds are possible here, as it's a sometimes spot, but with the small swell, it might not be too busy.

Looking further out, there's a glimmer. Sunday the 16th afternoon is looking interesting with a glassy 4ft north swell. The wind is dead calm, so it'll be smooth as silk, but it's only a small wave. The energy is weak (151), so it's more of a longboarder's cruise than a proper session.

To be honest, the best bet on offer is the Sunday the 9th morning for the experts, or the Monday the 10th morning for a cleaner, more manageable wave. It's not a classic 16-day run, but there are a couple of days worth paddling out for.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Sat morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sat night, calm by Mon night).

Wed
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
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
2
0
1
1
3
0
1
2
1
1
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
N
8
2.1
N
7
1.4
NNW
6
0.8
N
6
0.7
W
5
0.8
W
6
1.9
W
8
1.9
W
9
1.9
W
9
2
W
9
2.3
W
9
2.5
W
10
2.1
W
10
1.4
WNW
9
1.6
NNW
10
1.3
NNW
9
1.2
NNW
8
0.9
NNW
8
0.8
N
8
0.7
N
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
262
470
151
48
22
44
476
586
575
635
823
1418
830
326
502
283
207
109
84
63
Wind (km/h)
25
NNE
35
NNW
30
NW
20
WNW
15
S
25
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
35
SW
25
WSW
30
WSW
25
WSW
30
W
10
W
10
S
10
WNW
0
NE
20
SE
15
SE
15
SE
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
1:55AM4.48m
2:44PM4.17m
3:01AM4.28m
3:55PM4.11m
4:23AM4.15m
5:15PM4.16m
5:55AM4.19m
6:32PM4.36m
7:16AM4.39m
7:36PM4.63m
8:20AM4.63m
8:30PM4.91m
Low Tide
7:47PM2.10m
8:27AM1.89m
8:50PM2.27m
9:36AM2.09m
10:15PM2.33m
11:01AM2.17m
11:47PM2.18m
12:22PM2.08m
1:01AM1.85m
1:26PM1.88m
1:59AM1.47m
2:19PM1.67m
2:49AM1.13m
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:13
5:15
5:16
5:18
5:22
5:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:27
9:24
9:22
9:20
9:16
9:15
9:12
 mm
1
1
2
5
1
5
1
Temp °C
14
12
12
14
13
14
15
14
14
13
14
14
15
12
11
12
11
14
16
16
Feels °C
11
5
6
11
10
9
10
11
7
8
8
10
9
10
9
9
10
11
14
14
  • 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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