Thurso Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.60° N 3.52° W

Thurso Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 13 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso Beach sea temperature is
12.9° C
0.4° 

Thurso Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Thurso Beach surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 7s period, W swell with 623 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. 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 2.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Tue 14th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 9s
Best Surf 7AM (Tue 14th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 12s
Most Powerful10PM (Mon 20th Jul)8ft (2.4m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let me break down the surf outlook for the next couple of weeks at Thurso Beach.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the next week or so is looking pretty average for a paddle. The swell is just too small and the wind, well, it's mostly cross or cross-on, which is not what you want on a beach break. The water's sitting at 55°, which is just about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real chance we see comes on Tuesday the 14th for the morning session. There's a bit of a lift with a 2ft swell from the west, and the period stretches out to 12 seconds, which is a nice long groundswell. That longer period gives the waves more shape and energy, but on a beach break like this, it can make things a bit straight. The combined energy is moderate (210), and with a gentle ESE breeze, conditions will be clean. It's surfable, but nothing to write home about.

The energy picks up through the 20th and 21st, with swell heights hitting 5ft to 8ft. The combined energy gets strong, hitting 348 and then 977 on the 21st. But the wind is howling from the west at 25 mph, creating a messy cross-chop. For a beach break, that's a recipe for blown-out, lumpy waves. Honestly, this setup looks more like a day for the kite surfers than a clean paddle.

The standout window, and I mean the one to really watch, is on the morning of Wednesday the 22nd. The swell is still a solid 7ft from the WNW, with a combined energy of 605 (moderate to strong). The key difference is the wind swings to a light WSW at 9 mph, coming cross-offshore. That will clean the face up nicely. However, this size is pushing into expert-only territory, so if you're not confident in overhead surf, sit this one out. The period is a moderate 9 seconds, so it won't be as clean and lined up as a longer period swell, but the wind will make it rideable.

After that, the swell drops back down. The 25th has a glimmer of hope with a 4ft west swell and glassy conditions on Saturday morning, but the energy is weak (197) and the period is short (8 seconds), so you'll be hunting for a small, clean wave.

For the last week of the month, the swell stays small, mostly under 3ft, and the wind is a mixed bag of offshore and cross-off. The energy is weak, under 200. The 27th and 28th have clean offshore winds from the SSE, but the waves are just too small to get excited about.

So, to sum it up: the best of the bunch is Wednesday morning the 22nd for the experienced crew, with a sizeable swell and improving wind. For everyone else, keep an eye on the small windows of glassy conditions, like the 25th morning, for a sneaky, small-wave session. The rest of the time, it's a waiting game.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the WNW by Fri night).

Mon
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
WNW
8
0.6
WNW
9
0.6
W
12
1
W
11
0.8
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.5
W
9
0.4
WNW
9
0.4
W
9
0.4
WNW
8
0.7
WNW
12
0.8
WNW
10
0.9
WNW
10
0.9
WNW
9
1
WNW
8
0.9
WNW
7
0.8
WNW
7
0.4
WNW
7
1.1
WNW
5
1.2
WNW
6
1.6
W
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
34
62
106
242
127
64
40
26
27
24
145
136
129
121
136
96
59
17
66
104
243
Wind (km/h)
20
ESE
10
SE
15
ESE
20
ESE
15
SSE
15
SE
20
SE
10
SSE
5
NW
5
NE
10
NW
20
NW
25
NW
25
WNW
30
NW
20
NW
10
W
20
W
30
W
15
WSW
35
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
High Tide
8:36PM4.92m
9:14AM4.82m
9:27PM5.10m
10:07AM4.91m
10:14PM5.21m
10:57AM4.92m
10:59PM5.25m
11:45AM4.85m
11:44PM5.19m
12:31PM4.70m
00:29AM5.05m
1:16PM4.50m
1:14AM4.84m
Low Tide
2:58AM1.22m
3:16PM1.44m
3:47AM0.99m
4:03PM1.40m
4:34AM0.87m
4:47PM1.44m
5:20AM0.88m
5:31PM1.54m
6:05AM1.00m
6:14PM1.70m
6:51AM1.22m
6:58PM1.91m
7:38AM1.51m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:26
4:28
4:30
4:31
4:33
4:35
4:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:12
10:10
10:08
10:07
10:06
10:05
10:02
10:00
 mm
1
1
Temp °C
14
12
17
17
16
20
20
19
20
19
15
13
13
13
12
12
12
16
15
15
14
Feels °C
10
9
14
14
13
16
17
16
19
18
14
9
8
8
7
8
10
11
10
12
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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