Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NW swell with 1,270 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period with NNW 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Time to get real. The next couple of weeks are a real test of patience if you're chasing waves around here. We've got a long stretch of nothing much on the cards, so let's just get into it.
The outlook starts with a bit of a sour note. For the first few days, there's some size on the board, but the wind is gonna ruin it. We're looking at a 7ft to 8ft west-northwest swell on Sunday and Monday, but a fresh cross-breeze is gonna chop it all up. It's not going to be a pretty sight, just lumpy and messy – not what anyone wants to paddle out into. The energy is there, with readings between 815 and 1157, so it's got some push, but it's all for nothing with that wind.
After that, the ocean just goes to sleep. From Tuesday the 11th through to the morning of Saturday the 16th, we're looking at a serious lull. The swell drops away to under 3ft, and the energy readings are weak, often below 100. There's not a single window where I'd tell you to get excited. A few glassy moments on the 12th and the 16th will keep the place looking pretty, but you'll be fighting for scraps – waves so small and weak they're barely worth the walk, let alone the paddle.
Now, for the second week, things get a little more interesting but still nothing special. Around the 19th and 20th, a new west-northwest swell builds back in, pushing up to 7ft. The energy is moderate to strong (653-842), but the wind is cross-onshore and fresh, making it another messy, choppy mess. Not the clean, powerful surf we'd hope for.
There is one little glimmer on the horizon, though. Keep an eye on Monday afternoon, the 24th. The forecast shows a cross-offshore breeze, a clean 5ft west-northwest swell, and the energy is the highest we'll see in a while at 301. That's the most promising window in the whole 16 days. It’s still a week and a half out, so take it with a grain of salt, but it might just be the one to get excited about.
Overall, it's a bleak two weeks, with a couple of possible scraps. Keep your expectations on the floor and your board ready for the 24th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | WNW 7 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | W 12 | W 10 | WSW 10 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | N 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 800 | 595 | 1157 | 784 | 358 | 137 | 80 | 26 | 25 | 78 | 32 | 68 | 112 | 71 | 31 | 26 | 29 | 49 | 212 | 162 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy | off | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 6:32PM4.36m | 7:16AM4.39m | 7:36PM4.63m | 8:20AM4.63m | 8:30PM4.91m | 9:12AM4.84m | 9:16PM5.15m | 9:57AM4.97m | 9:59PM5.31m | 10:39AM4.99m | 10:40PM5.35m | 11:18AM4.92m | 11:19PM5.28m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:01AM1.85m | 1:26PM1.88m | 1:59AM1.47m | 2:19PM1.67m | 2:49AM1.13m | 3:05PM1.49m | 3:34AM0.89m | 3:48PM1.37m | 4:17AM0.79m | 4:28PM1.34m | 4:58AM0.82m | 5:07PM1.40m | ||||||||
 |  | | | |  | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:01 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | S 6 | NNW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | W 10 | W 6 | W 12 | W 11 | W 5 | W 8 | N 9 | N 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | N 9 |
| kJ | 14 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 358 | 137 | 80 | 26 | 15 | 78 | 18 | 68 | 112 | 20 | 31 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 212 | 162 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | — | — | — | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 12 | N 7 | WSW 10 | ESE 6 | N 10 | W 10 | N 9 | W 9 | E 5 | N 8 | N 7 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | 40 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 25 | 8 | 32 | 4 | 19 | 71 | 25 | 15 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 107 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | ESE 5 | ESE 7 | N 8 | SE 6 | N 10 | W 10 | SE 6 | — | W 8 | NNW 9 | E 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 29 | 17 | 1 | — | 1 | 8 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | WNW 7 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | — | — | SE 3 | SE 5 | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | N 5 | — |
| kJ | 800 | 595 | 1157 | 784 | — | — | 4 | 11 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | 29 | 49 | 12 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 674 | 422 | 214 | 191 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 31 | 71 | 783 | 728 | 71 | 31 |
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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