Thurso Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, folks, Rusty here with the outlook for your local stretch. We’re focusing on Thurso Beach, a spot that’s fairly consistent and a good beginner option when the conditions line up. Water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing out of the ordinary.

The forecast kicks off with a bit of clean, gentle surf. Monday the 14th is a goer. We’ve got a 3ft swell coming from the NNW with a 12-second period. The combined energy is right on the mark at (356) – not huge, but solid enough. With a light offshore breeze, you are looking at clean, little waves. The afternoon picks up to 4ft from the west at 9 seconds, still clean with that offshore wind. For a beginner-friendly spot, this is a solid start.

Tuesday the 15th is a write-off. The wind swings onshore and gets strong, creating a cross-chop. The surf quality is poor, so give it a skip.

Wednesday the 16th looks grim in the morning – fresh cross-on wind and lumpy. But the afternoon is a hidden gem. The wind drops to a light breeze and turns cross-off, cleaning up a 5ft swell from the NNW with 9-second period. The energy jumps to (785), and it’s clean. This is a good session for someone who wants it uncrowded and tidy.

Thursday the 17th suffers again from strong, clean cross-off wind. The swell builds to 6ft and then 8ft, but the fresh breeze makes it a battle. Energy is strong at (596) and (1174), but the wind is just too punchy for a pleasant paddle.

Now, Friday the 18th brings a big warning. There’s a massive 15ft to 13ft WNW swell with a long 14-13 second period. The combined energy is extraordinary (8049 to 4730). This is expert territory. The swell is too big for this break – it will be dangerous and messy with a cross-shore wind. Only for the very experienced on the right equipment, and be careful.

Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th are dominated by strong to gale-force winds. The swell is still large but the conditions are blown out. Skip it.

Monday the 21st starts with a big 12ft WNW groundswell that is too big for the break. But get this – the afternoon turns it on. The wind drops to a light breeze, becoming cross-off. The swell drops to a still-chunky 8ft from the WNW, with a 12-second period. Energy is at (1747) and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. If you’ve got the skills, this is the standout of the whole forecast – clean, powerful waves.

The rest of the week is a mixed bag. Tuesday the 22nd is another big-swell day with strong cross-shore wind. Wednesday the 23rd is a write-off. Finally, Thursday the 24th brings a sweet surprise. The morning is clean with a 6ft west swell and light cross-off wind. But the afternoon sees the swell drop to 5ft from the WNW with a massive 19-second period. That’s a very long period, and combined with light offshore wind, the energy (2330) will produce some beautifully shaped, walling waves. Another standout for the skilled surfer.

Friday the 25th offers a big 10ft W swell at 14 seconds in clean conditions in the morning, so it’s another expert session. The afternoon is messy.

The weekend and into the following week sees a return to smaller, cleaner conditions. Saturday the 26th has small, clean waves on offer, and Sunday the 27th is very small.

Monday the 28th morning brings another sudden pulse – a 10ft NW swell with an 8-second period. It’s short period and onshore in the afternoon, but the morning is clean with offshore wind. Energy is (1054), so it’s punchy if you're out early.

The 29th of September finishes with a clean 6ft NNW swell, but it’s marginal.

So, overall, the two true standouts are Monday the 21st afternoon and Thursday the 24th afternoon for the experienced crew. Everyone else should look at Wednesday the 16th afternoon or Monday the 14th for a gentle, clean session.

Stay safe, enjoy the water.

Rusty

Read more