Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, WNW swell with 1,142 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 (Aug 23) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. 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 2.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) 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 1.4m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Thurso Beach for the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, it’s a bit of a slow burner to start. From now through the 23rd of August, it’s mostly poor – onshore or cross-shore breezes, weak little waves with short periods. Nothing worth paddling out for. The water temp is about 57°, which is normal for this time of year, so no drama there. Just a lot of waiting.
Then Monday the 24th of August – that’s when it wakes up. We’ve got a 7ft groundswell pushing in from the WNW with a 11-second period. That’s proper energy – combined energy reading 1142 – and with a light ESE cross-offshore wind, the surface is going to be clean and glassy. For a beach break, that long period means the waves might jack up and break a little quick, but with that offshore flow, the better waves will have some shape. This is the standout of the whole forecast. Beginners should be cautious – 7ft is a step up – but for the experienced, it’s on.
Monday afternoon drops to 6ft but stays clean, though the guidance says the tide could make it tricky. Still a solid backup session.
After that, Tuesday the 25th drops quick – down to 4ft with the wind picking up to 18 mph from the ESE, still offshore but losing its charm. From Wednesday the 26th right through to the 3rd of September, it’s a flat spell. Long gaps between anything rideable. Just small, weak lumps and messy winds.
There’s one more chance on Friday the 4th of September – 5ft of NW groundswell with a 9-second period, and cross-offshore wind again. Combined energy of 375, so moderate. The guidance calls it marginal, but it’s surfable. Not a standout, but better than the nothing either side.
Bottom line – mark your calendar for Monday the 24th of August. That’s your best bet.
Stay stoked.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sun night, fresh winds from the ESE by Wed morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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) | N 7 | N 8 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | N 9 | N 8 | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 9 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | N 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 229 | 387 | 170 | 128 | 78 | 56 | 34 | 24 | 78 | 155 | 563 | 1142 | 831 | 531 | 231 | 133 | 81 | 95 | 62 | 49 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:10AM3.88m | 3:54PM3.84m | 4:38AM3.72m | 5:18PM3.86m | 6:14AM3.76m | 6:34PM4.01m | 7:22AM3.94m | 7:29PM4.24m | 8:08AM4.17m | 8:10PM4.48m | 8:43AM4.38m | 8:45PM4.70m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:51PM2.49m | 9:29AM2.54m | 10:25PM2.60m | 11:03AM2.65m | 00:01AM2.49m | 12:23PM2.55m | 1:05AM2.25m | 1:18PM2.35m | 1:49AM1.97m | 1:59PM2.11m | 2:26AM1.71m | 2:35PM1.88m | 2:59AM1.48m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | 8:49 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:31 | — |
mm | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 15 |
Feels °C | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 9 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 46 | 25 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 56 | 34 | 20 | 24 | 155 | 563 | 1142 | 831 | 531 | 231 | 133 | 81 | 95 | 62 | 92 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | W 9 | NE 9 | W 8 | W 10 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | N 7 | — | NW 13 | N 12 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | WSW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | N 10 |
| kJ | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 1 | — | 180 | 3 | 28 | 24 | 25 | 6 | 2 | 49 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 6 | 1 | 9 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 8 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | E 5 | ESE 7 | — |
| kJ | 229 | 387 | 170 | 128 | 78 | 29 | 29 | 24 | 78 | 102 | — | — | — | 16 | 19 | 13 | 8 | 75 | 178 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1101 | 255 | 783 | 285 | 190 | 30 | 255 | 24 | 71 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 89 | 177 | 1 | 41 | 285 | 9 |
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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