Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, W swell with 474 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s period with W 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m 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 1.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Looking down the line for our coast, and I’ll be honest with you, the first part of this stretch is a real test of faith. We’ve got a long range forecast, but it’s full of small, messy days before things get interesting. It’s going to be a waiting game.
The first solid week is a no-go. From the 17th through the 23rd we have weak surf, with combined energies only in the double digits, like 82 and 86 on Monday. There are a few glassy moments early doors, but the swell is just not there. Then the wind jumps up, going cross-onshore and chopping up the small waves. The swell bumps up a bit mid-week, but it’s lumpy and poor. There’s a solid 5 or 6 day stretch there where you wouldn't bother waxing up. It’s one of those blank runs that's pretty normal for this area, and you just have to ride it out.
Finally, a shift on the 24th. The wind turns offshore for the morning and we get a clean 1.9m west swell at a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 435, so there’s some push behind it. This will be the first proper surfable waves in over a week. It’s not huge, but it’s clean. The following days have some potential too, but the wind gets a bit dicey at times, with the 25th being a bit cross-shore and the 26th having a better morning than afternoon.
But the date to circle, and I mean really circle in big red marker, is the 28th of August. This is the big one. The charts are showing a massive 5.0m northwest groundswell with an 11-second period, and the combined energy is an off-the-charts 5547. The wind is forecast to be totally calm in the morning, making it glassy. Sounds perfect, right? Well, not for everyone. This is a dangerous amount of water. It's way too big for a beginner break like Thurso Beach. This is expert territory only. Most people should be watching this one from the safety of the shore, because it's going to be a washing machine. For the top-tier chargers, it’ll be a session they’ll never forget.
Once that peak passes, things settle but stay promising. On the 31st, we have another excellent window. It’s a 3.0m west swell with a long, 14-second period, so it’s a proper groundswell with some serious energy behind it (2869 combined). The morning forecast has light offshore winds, which will keep the faces clean. It’s still big, but more manageable than Friday, and that Monday morning looks like the true standout for quality and power. The afternoon looks a little cross-off, so as usual, the early bird catches the wave.
So stick it out. This week is a write-off. Look for a glimmer on the 24th, but the real rewards are at the end of the month. The 28th is for the brave, but the 31st might just be the best all-round day of the whole forecast. Patience, lads.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 7 | W 9 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | NNW 6 | N 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | N 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
38 | 41 | 23 | 21 | 17 | 330 | 440 | 329 | 209 | 165 | 135 | 139 | 83 | 62 | 75 | 33 | 57 | 135 | 160 | 153 | 222 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 12:32PM4.57m | 00:36AM4.83m | 1:10PM4.35m | 1:17AM4.51m | 1:52PM4.13m | 2:06AM4.17m | 2:44PM3.95m | 3:10AM3.88m | 3:54PM3.84m | 4:38AM3.72m | 5:18PM3.86m | 6:14AM3.76m | 6:34PM4.01m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:16AM1.25m | 6:23PM1.74m | 6:55AM1.57m | 7:03PM1.99m | 7:36AM1.93m | 7:49PM2.25m | 8:23AM2.27m | 8:51PM2.49m | 9:29AM2.54m | 10:25PM2.60m | 11:03AM2.65m | 00:01AM2.49m | 12:23PM2.55m | 1:05AM2.25m | |||||||
5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | |
— | 8:57 | — | — | 8:53 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — | |
mm | — | — | 6 | 1 | 5 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | W 4 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | N 6 | W 8 | NNE 9 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 |
38 | 38 | 23 | 21 | 4 | 330 | 440 | 329 | 138 | 69 | 65 | 43 | 83 | 21 | 15 | 33 | 24 | 23 | 11 | 10 | 10 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | N 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | N 7 | — | ENE 7 | NE 7 | NE 9 | WNW 9 | E 9 | W 8 | W 4 | W 8 | — | N 6 | N 6 | — |
13 | 41 | 22 | 12 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 1 | — | 21 | 14 | 3 | 25 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | ESE 5 | E 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | NW 5 | W 11 | — | — | — | — |
31 | 7 | 3 | — | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ESE 3 | ESE 5 | — | — | ENE 4 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | NNW 6 | WNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 |
— | — | 3 | 27 | — | — | 10 | 89 | 209 | 165 | 135 | 139 | 26 | 62 | 75 | — | 57 | 135 | 160 | 153 | 222 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 9 | 41 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 227 | 312 | 363 | 363 | 933 | 225 | 94 | 261 | 53 | 294 | 141 | 141 | 413 | 71 | 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.











