
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with 1,714 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s 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 26) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break it down.
First up, we're looking at Thurso Beach, and I've got to be straight with you – the next week and a half is a bit of a mixed bag. The water's sitting at 55.4°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, no surprises there.
The outlook kicks off on Tuesday 21st July, but honestly, it's a write-off. We've got a 7.9ft swell from the WNW, but with a 25 mph cross-wind, it's just messy cross-chop. Not worth paddling out for. That poor form continues right through Thursday 23rd, with similar sizes but the wind staying cross or cross-on, keeping things lumpy and choppy.
Friday 24th looks a little more interesting. The swell is still solid, around 7.2ft to 7.9ft from the west, and the wind swings cross-off in the morning, which cleans it up nicely. The combined energy is moderate to strong (813), but the cross-shore wind picks up again in the afternoon. It's a maybe, but not a standout.
Then, hold on. Sunday 26th July morning is where things get good. The swell drops to 4.3ft from the WNW, but the wind turns offshore from the SSE at only 9 mph. That's clean, gentle offshore conditions. The combined energy is still moderate (518), and the period is a solid 10 seconds, so there'll be some proper shape. It's a small window, but for a beginner-friendly spot that's fairly consistent, this is your best bet in the first week. The crowds are sometimes an issue, but for a clean Sunday morning, you might find a few others out.
Monday 27th sees a big jump in size – 9.8ft from the WNW with a 10-second period. That's a lot of water moving, with combined energy hitting 1795. This is expert territory only. The morning wind is cross-off, so it'll be clean, but at that size, the beach break is going to be heavy and powerful. Not for the faint-hearted. The afternoon stays big but gets cross-shore.
The rest of the week drops off a bit. We get a few more marginal days – Tuesday 28th morning has a small 4.9ft swell with clean cross-off wind, but it's not going to get the heart racing. The real issue is that from the end of July into early August, the swell fades away. We're looking at a gap from around Saturday 1st August through to Wednesday 5th August where the swell is tiny – under 3.3ft – and the wind is often howling or onshore. There's a brief moment on Friday 31st July afternoon with a 3.3ft swell and glassy conditions, but it's very ordinary.
All in all, if you're looking to get wet, circle Sunday 26th July morning. It's the cleanest, most user-friendly window. The rest of the run is either too big, too windy, or too small. For the second week, it's a waiting game.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Tue afternoon, moderate winds from the W by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Fri afternoon, light winds from the SW by Sat night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | N 10 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
645 | 649 | 374 | 237 | 202 | 195 | 420 | 629 | 812 | 879 | 755 | 688 | 637 | 471 | 322 | 246 | 694 | 1714 | 1275 | 778 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | on | cross | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:57AM4.31m | 3:51PM3.98m | 4:00AM4.08m | 4:54PM3.95m | 5:13AM3.94m | 6:01PM4.00m | 6:29AM3.92m | 7:01PM4.14m | 7:34AM4.01m | 7:51PM4.32m | 8:24AM4.15m | 8:32PM4.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:40PM2.34m | 9:27AM2.09m | 9:49PM2.49m | 10:35AM2.28m | 11:12PM2.51m | 11:45AM2.35m | 00:26AM2.39m | 12:46PM2.31m | 1:24AM2.19m | 1:36PM2.21m | 2:10AM1.96m | 2:18PM2.06m | 2:49AM1.76m | |||||||
— | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | 4:45 | — | — | 4:47 | — | — | 4:48 | — | — | 4:50 | — | — | |
— | 9:59 | — | — | 9:57 | — | — | 9:54 | — | — | 9:53 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:50 | — | — | 9:46 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 4 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | — | N 8 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 | — | N 6 | N 6 | — | — | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | NNW 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 |
5 | — | 1 | 13 | 23 | 8 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 688 | 637 | 471 | 322 | 246 | 115 | 81 | 83 | 59 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 9 | N 10 | N 10 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28 | 196 | 231 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
645 | 649 | 374 | 237 | 202 | 195 | 420 | 629 | 812 | 879 | 755 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 694 | 1714 | 1275 | 778 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 836 | 458 | 314 | 593 | 71 | 359 | 26 | 424 | 844 | 755 | 422 | 26 | 191 | 1 | 0 | 375 | 595 | 136 | 26 | 0 |
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.










