Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, W swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, WNW swell with 7,641 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 (Sep 13) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s. 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 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break down what’s happening at Thurso over the next couple weeks. It’s a real rollercoaster of size and wind, so you’ve gotta pick your moments. Water temp is pretty normal for September, nothing unusual.
The first proper chance to paddle out is on Saturday the 14th. Monday morning (14th) looks like the best bet early on. We’ve got a clean 3ft swell from the NNW with a solid 12-second interval. That’s a nice little groundswell. The wind is light SSW, blowing offshore, which is a big win. The total wave energy is moderate (465). For a beginner-friendly spot like Thurso Beach, that’s a perfect, manageable size. That same afternoon glassed off completely with light S winds and tiny 3ft waves – super clean but very small. You might have some company out there.
Now, for the big one, though it’s a bit of a monster. On Friday the 20th, the ocean absolutely fires up. We’re talking a massive 16ft swell from the WNW with a long 14-second period. The energy reading is a huge 8782, which is very strong. But for a break this exposed, that’s way too big for a beginner beach break. The wind is a cross-off from the WSW, but at 44 mph, that’s a gale. The conditions are clean, but it’s just too big and wild. Honestly, for that day, the kites are going to have more fun than the paddle crew.
Tuesday the 24th offers a much more sensible option. Morning brought a 10ft WNW swell with a 12-second period, but the wind was the story. A clean, moderate offshore breeze from the SSE made for some pretty decent conditions. The energy was still strong (2662), so it’s for experienced surfers only at that size. The afternoon dropped to a more friendly 8ft, still with clean offshore S winds, making for a solid, manageable session.
Right at the tail end of the forecast, Friday the 27th looks interesting but you can’t lock it in. A big 12ft W swell is due, but the warning is it might be too big for the break. Energy is very strong (4924). The wind is light and cross-off from the SSE. If the stars align and it cleans up, it could be a fantastic way to end the run, but don’t rearrange your life for it yet.
First week has some decent chances if you watch the tides and wind closely. The second week is mostly oversized and windy, making for tough surfing. Keep an eye on those cleaner, smaller windows.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sat morning, calm by Mon afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon night, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Tue night, light winds from the SSW by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 13 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2377 | 3441 | 1881 | 938 | 607 | 282 | 303 | 246 | 277 | 727 | 196 | 563 | 660 | 431 | 347 | 753 | 3352 | 7641 | 5168 | 3244 | 1641 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | on | cross-off | off | glassy | off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:12AM5.01m | 10:14PM5.32m | 10:45AM4.94m | 10:49PM5.21m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:05PM1.28m | 4:31AM0.90m | 4:40PM1.32m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:25 | — |
mm | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 13 | SE 7 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | N 10 | W 10 | N 9 | WNW 9 | NNW 9 | W 9 | N 8 | N 8 | — | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 |
| kJ | 2377 | 8 | 1881 | 938 | 607 | 282 | 162 | 224 | 277 | 102 | 196 | 41 | 660 | 202 | 347 | 28 | 18 | — | 5168 | 3244 | 1641 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | — | — | NNW 15 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | SE 6 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | NNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 6 | — | — | 42 | 178 | 178 | 303 | 246 | 198 | 1 | 70 | 6 | 24 | 12 | 67 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | — | — | — | — | NNW 9 | SE 5 | — | — | — | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | N 8 | NNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | — | — | 88 | 9 | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | WNW 13 | — | — | — | SE 4 | SSW 3 | SE 5 | S 3 | W 11 | WNW 6 | WNW 10 | — | W 10 | SSW 4 | W 9 | W 13 | WNW 14 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 34 | 3441 | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 727 | 117 | 563 | — | 431 | 13 | 753 | 3352 | 7641 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 422 | 170 | 16 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 645 | 629 | 617 | 53 | 27 | 0 | 696 | 1142 | 755 | 499 | 422 | 422 |
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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