Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Beach surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 11s period, WNW swell with 989 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s 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 (Aug 23) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m 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 2.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for Thurso Beach.
Honestly, for the first week or so, it’s a bit of a write-off. We’ve got a solid stretch of poor conditions from now until the end of the month, with the wind and swell just not lining up right. The surf is small, the wind is messy, and it’s just not worth paddling out for. There’s a real gap of about six days where nothing is really on offer.
Now, Monday morning, the 24th of August, is where things get interesting. That’s the standout. The swell jumps up to 7ft from the WNW, with a decent 11-second period, and the wind is a clean offshore from the SE, blowing cross-off. The water’s a touch warmer than average for this time of year, sitting at 57°F, and the combined energy is a solid 973 (moderate to strong). This is the morning to get after it. The tide and conditions look good for a proper session. The afternoon hangs on with 6ft, still clean, but the morning is the call.
After that, the swell drops off quickly, and the winds go back to being unfriendly. Tuesday the 25th has some clean conditions but the swell is tiny, and the rest of the week is just small and poor. We get a bit of a glassy morning on the 29th of August, but it’s only 2ft – surfable but nothing to get excited about.
The second week sees a bit more activity, but it’s not looking great. The 31st of August has some size, with 6ft to 7ft from the NNW, but the wind is onshore and the quality is marginal. That’s a wave for the experienced crew only, and even then, it’s likely to be lumpy. The 5th of September has some clean cross-off wind and 4ft from the west, but the guidance says it’s a marginal one. The 6th of September has a 5ft to 5ft west swell with a long 11-second period, but the wind is a mess, making it a choppy, lumpy affair.
Bottom line: if you’re a beginner, this whole run is a no-go, especially when the swell pushes over 5ft. For the experienced surfer, the only real window to pencil in is Monday morning, the 24th of August. That’s the one. The rest is a waiting game. Forecasts can change, but for now, it’s looking lean.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | N 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 11 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | N 8 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | NW 3 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 35 | 22 | 77 | 113 | 452 | 973 | 778 | 486 | 317 | 137 | 76 | 53 | 34 | 12 | 70 | 60 | 24 | 11 | 4 | 6 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 5:18PM3.86m | 6:14AM3.76m | 6:34PM4.01m | 7:22AM3.94m | 7:29PM4.24m | 8:08AM4.17m | 8:10PM4.48m | 8:43AM4.38m | 8:45PM4.70m | 9:14AM4.57m | 9:16PM4.89m | 9:44AM4.72m | 9:46PM5.03m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:01AM2.49m | 12:23PM2.55m | 1:05AM2.25m | 1:18PM2.35m | 1:49AM1.97m | 1:59PM2.11m | 2:26AM1.71m | 2:35PM1.88m | 2:59AM1.48m | 3:08PM1.68m | 3:31AM1.30m | 3:40PM1.52m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 11 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 10 | E 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 35 | 20 | 26 | 113 | 452 | 973 | 778 | 486 | 317 | 137 | 76 | 53 | 34 | 10 | 70 | 47 | 68 | 88 | 68 | 49 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 8 | W 8 | N 8 | N 8 | W 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 7 |
| kJ | 2 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 12 | 10 | 60 | 24 | 11 | 4 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 6 | N 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | W 8 | ESE 6 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | W 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 11 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 7 | — | — | — | SE 3 | SE 5 | SE 3 | SE 4 | E 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | E 4 | ESE 7 | ESE 3 | — | — | NW 3 |
| kJ | 32 | 22 | 77 | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 104 | 4 | — | — | 6 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 79 | 28 | 71 | 294 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 41 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 178 | 8 | 9 | 1 | 177 | 108 | 184 | 60 |
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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