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, 1PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, NW swell with 947 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 2.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 4PM.
| 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 | 1PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, you lot, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what the next couple of weeks are shaping up like for Thurso Beach.
Straight off the bat, the outlook for surf is a tough one. The first week is a write-off. We've got a decent pulse of swell early on, with that NW groundswell hitting 8ft on Monday the 10th, but it's getting absolutely shredded by a strong cross-onshore wind. The combined energy is high at 1065, but it’s ugly, lumpy, and not worth a second look. It stays messy with onshore wind right through until the end of the first week. There are brief windows of glassy or clean conditions mid-week, but the swell is tiny – under 3ft for most of it – and those small waves just aren't going to stand up. So, we’re looking at a solid gap of about 8 days with nothing recommended.
Then, things get interesting. Tuesday the 18th of August morning is when we finally get a proper window. The wind swings offshore, and we see a clean 7ft swell from the west. The combined energy jumps to 356, indicating moderate conditions. This is a good start to the run, but the tide looks tricky for the afternoon. The standout of the whole period is Wednesday the 19th of August morning. That morning session looks like the pick. We’ve got a clean 8ft west swell with a long period of 12 seconds – classic, powerful groundswell. The energy is a proper 1715. That combined with a clean offshore wind means it'll be well-shaped, powerful, and with good gaps between sets. It’s big enough to be for experienced surfers only though, as anything over 8ft gets heavy. For the crew who can handle it, that morning is where it's at.
The water temperature is running about average for this time of year, so a normal 4/3 or steamer season.
Thursday the 20th backs off a little, and by the weekend of the 24th and 25th it’s all gone small again. That one window in the middle of the second week is the only real bet, and it’s a promise at this stage – not a sure thing.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Mon morning, calm by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the WNW by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | N 10 | NW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 8 | N 10 | N 9 | N 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1132 | 784 | 315 | 134 | 60 | 27 | 23 | 77 | 31 | 66 | 79 | 71 | 46 | 26 | 34 | 51 | 29 | 171 | 377 | 246 | 113 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 11:55AM4.77m | 11:57PM5.10m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:37AM0.98m | 5:45PM1.53m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  |  |  | | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:01 | — | 8:59 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 4 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | S 6 | NNW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | W 10 | W 6 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | N 10 | W 9 | W 8 | NNW 8 | N 10 | N 9 | N 8 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 315 | 134 | 60 | 27 | 15 | 77 | 25 | 66 | 79 | 71 | 46 | 26 | 30 | 14 | 22 | 171 | 377 | 246 | 113 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 12 | N 7 | W 10 | W 6 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | SE 6 | E 6 | N 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 41 | 16 | 15 | 8 | 23 | 8 | 31 | 6 | 35 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 101 | 77 | 40 | 33 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | ESE 5 | ESE 7 | N 8 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | — | SE 6 | SE 6 | N 10 | E 5 | W 13 | W 11 |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 56 | 1 | 3 | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 9 | NNW 9 | — | — | SE 3 | SE 4 | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | WNW 2 | W 4 | W 4 | WNW 4 | NW 5 | NNW 5 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1132 | 784 | — | — | 5 | 9 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 12 | 15 | 34 | 51 | 29 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 290 | 165 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 71 | 71 | 758 | 783 | 71 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 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.
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