
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, W swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 21ft (6.5m), 14s period, WNW swell with 16,392 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Beach in the next 16 days are 6.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 21ft (6.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
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
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Fri afternoon, near gales from the W by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 12 | W 9 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | NNW 6 | W 12 | NNW 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | W 15 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | W 11 | W 8 | W 10 | WNW 13 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
250 | 270 | 252 | 516 | 192 | 189 | 464 | 413 | 216 | 528 | 1141 | 6892 | 8037 | 4719 | 1487 | 1029 | 787 | 4102 | 13378 | 16392 | 9471 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:16AM4.81m | 11:23PM5.00m | 11:47AM4.64m | 11:58PM4.71m | 12:19PM4.44m | 00:35AM4.38m | 12:56PM4.22m | 1:21AM4.04m | 1:43PM4.00m | 2:27AM3.75m | 2:54PM3.82m | 4:08AM3.61m | 4:32PM3.79m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:06AM1.09m | 5:15PM1.44m | 5:39AM1.36m | 5:50PM1.64m | 6:12AM1.69m | 6:27PM1.89m | 6:47AM2.04m | 7:09PM2.16m | 7:27AM2.38m | 8:04PM2.43m | 8:25AM2.67m | 9:34PM2.60m | 10:12AM2.82m | 11:27PM2.52m | |||||||
6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
— | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:21 | — | |
mm | 1 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 12 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 12 | W 9 | W 10 | N 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 12 | NNW 9 | W 10 | N 8 | W 10 | W 15 | N 8 | N 8 | WNW 12 | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | — |
250 | 270 | 252 | 96 | 192 | 153 | 464 | 413 | 216 | 68 | 1141 | 6892 | 12 | 11 | 1487 | 12 | 6 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | SE 5 | N 10 | SE 6 | — | W 11 | N 9 | SE 5 | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
106 | 183 | 156 | 4 | 68 | 1 | — | 372 | 190 | 1 | 33 | 21 | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 4 | SE 5 | — | SE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 3 | SSE 3 | — | W 11 | WNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | — | SSE 4 | W 9 | SW 4 | — | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | — | W 11 | W 8 | W 10 | WNW 13 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 |
5 | 3 | — | 516 | 130 | 189 | 416 | — | 18 | 528 | 26 | — | 8037 | 4719 | — | 1029 | 787 | 4102 | 13378 | 16392 | 9471 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 180 | 618 | 784 | 177 | 0 | 16 | 458 | 458 | 617 | 422 | 26 | 422 | 645 | 804 | 645 | 579 | 346 | 16 |
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.










