
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 11s period, W swell with 260 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period with WNW 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period. 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 1.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Tue 14th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
Hey crew, Rusty here again, but now in feet and miles an hour for you. Let’s break down Thurso Beach over the next couple weeks. I’ll be honest, it’s a pretty flat run with one little spike that might get the blood pumping if you’re experienced.
We kick off with a real quiet spell. Sunday the 12th through the middle of the week is mostly tiny – around 2ft to 3ft – with a short, weak period. Winds are cross-off or cross, so it’s clean enough for a learner to paddle around, but the energy is low. This weak, small surf hangs around for a good ten days.
Then, hold up. Around Tuesday the 21st of July, a bigger pulse shows up. Swell pushes 6ft to 7ft from the WNW, with the period climbing to 7 seconds. The wave energy jumps up strong. But the wind is cross-on, and at 7ft this is expert-only territory. It’s a beach break with that short period, so it might be a bit lumpy. Still, for strong paddlers, this is the most interesting window.
The real standout though is the morning of Thursday the 24th of July. We’ve got a solid 7ft swell from the WNW, with a longer period of 10 seconds, and a light cross-shore breeze. That’s clean and punchy. The energy is strong. This is the best session of the whole outlook. The waves should have some real shape. For anyone comfortable in head-high-plus surf, this Thursday morning is your target. Crowds at Thurso Beach are sometimes an issue, so expect company.
After that, the swell drops back. Friday afternoon and the weekend sees it fading to around 4ft, then to 3ft and lower, with cross-on wind returning. By Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th, we’re back to small, weak surf, and the outlook fades out.
Rusty signing off – circle Thursday the 24th of July morning if you want the best of a quiet period.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
70 | 43 | 31 | 51 | 47 | 64 | 123 | 242 | 127 | 64 | 40 | 25 | 27 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 18 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 7:09AM4.50m | 7:42PM4.70m | 8:15AM4.66m | 8:36PM4.92m | 9:14AM4.82m | 9:27PM5.10m | 10:07AM4.91m | 10:14PM5.21m | 10:57AM4.92m | 10:59PM5.25m | 11:45AM4.85m | 11:44PM5.19m | 12:31PM4.70m | 00:29AM5.05m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:33PM1.67m | 2:06AM1.53m | 2:27PM1.53m | 2:58AM1.22m | 3:16PM1.44m | 3:47AM0.99m | 4:03PM1.40m | 4:34AM0.87m | 4:47PM1.44m | 5:20AM0.88m | 5:31PM1.54m | 6:05AM1.00m | 6:14PM1.70m | ||||||||
4:24 | — | — | 4:24 | — | — | 4:26 | — | — | 4:28 | — | — | 4:30 | — | — | 4:31 | — | — | 4:33 | — | — | |
— | — | 10:14 | — | — | 10:12 | — | — | 10:10 | — | — | 10:08 | — | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:06 | — | — | 10:05 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 14 |
70 | 43 | 31 | 51 | 47 | 64 | 123 | 242 | 127 | 64 | 40 | 25 | 27 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 18 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | NNW 6 | ENE 6 | W 21 | E 7 | W 14 | W 12 | — | NE 6 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | N 10 | ESE 4 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | NW 4 | W 8 |
1 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 15 | 106 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 21 | — | E 6 | E 5 | — | W 18 | W 18 | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | N 7 | N 7 |
— | — | — | 9 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 7 | E 6 | — | — | — | ESE 3 | SE 2 | SE 2 | SE 3 | ESE 3 | SE 3 | SE 4 | SE 3 | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | N 5 |
— | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 15 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 51 | 170 | 0 | 183 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 60 | 71 | 375 | 375 | 618 | 656 | 1114 | 866 | 866 | 1114 | 24 |
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.










