Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s period, W swell with 1,448 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s 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 0.8m and 8s 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 2.2m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, looking at the same charts but in feet. It’s been a quiet, frustrating stretch up on the north coast, and honestly, it’s gonna stay that way for a bit. There’s a couple of promising days if you can wait, but you’ll need patience.
Right now and for most of the coming week, it’s flat or junky. The swell is tiny, winds are messy, and the wave energy is low. There’s a big gap of days with nothing really worth paddling out for. Water temp is about normal for this time of year, nothing weird there.
The first real hope lands on Wednesday, August 19th. That morning, Thurso Beach will have a clean 6ft swell from the W, with a 11-second period and a light cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is 843, which is moderate but the highest we’ve seen. The wind is very light and offshore, so expect glassy conditions. The swell direction matches the optimum from NW. Crowds are just sometimes, so you might luck out. For beginners, 6ft is a bit big, but for the rest of us, that Wednesday morning is the window.
Looking further out, Thursday, August 27th shows a clean 6ft from WNW, 10-second period, with a light SE cross-offshore breeze. Energy is 563. It’ll be clean and fun. The afternoon bumps to 6ft with a moderate breeze, still clean.
Then Friday, August 28th has a 6ft swell from NNW, with a long 12-second period. Energy jumps to 1240. The wind will be a fresh 30 km/h cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean but strong. That kind of long period groundswell can make a beach break a bit tricky, but it could be excellent. The afternoon eases to 5ft with a lighter wind. This is a promising but not certain long-range spot, so keep it on the radar.
Bottom line: the first week is a wash. The standout is Wednesday morning, August 19th, for that clean medium swell. The backup is Thursday the 27th and maybe Friday the 28th for the bigger, longer stuff. It’s been a dry spell, but the forecasts can change, so don’t lose hope.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu night, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the W by Sat morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 | N 10 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | WSW 8 | W 5 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | NNE 6 | N 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 47 | 46 | 36 | 89 | 214 | 235 | 130 | 85 | 80 | 76 | 60 | 44 | 26 | 20 | 1448 | 843 | 564 | 325 | 137 | 110 | 66 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:39AM4.99m | 10:40PM5.35m | 11:18AM4.92m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:17AM0.79m | 4:28PM1.34m | 4:58AM0.82m | 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 | |||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | |  | |  |  | |  | |
 | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:01 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:53 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | W 8 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | 43 | 45 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 235 | 130 | 85 | 80 | 76 | 60 | 44 | 17 | 10 | 1448 | 843 | 564 | 325 | 137 | 57 | 36 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | WSW 9 | — | W 9 | — | N 8 | NNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 6 | W 9 | W 8 | SE 4 | N 7 | NNE 7 | — | — | — | S 5 | — | ENE 6 |
| kJ | 47 | 29 | — | 15 | — | 12 | 26 | 73 | 34 | 13 | 27 | 23 | 5 | 9 | 5 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | SE 5 | E 5 | — | — | NW 10 | N 8 | — | W 12 | W 10 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | N 6 | ESE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 10 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 12 | — | 3 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | WSW 8 | W 5 | — | SE 4 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 4 | NNE 6 | N 5 |
| kJ | 15 | 46 | 36 | 89 | 214 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 26 | 20 | — | 3 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 110 | 66 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 28 | 758 | 826 | 595 | 770 | 43 | 1 | 31 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 71 | 71 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 94 | 618 | 218 |
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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