Thurso tides today
- Tide now 3.3 ft ↓ falling · low 4:05 am (-6.0 ft)
- Best time tomorrow 3:30–4:10 pm good day · 8/10
- Beach day Not today Not a beach day · 0/10
- Waves · water 10 ft · 54 °F rough · 10.0 s from the west-northwest
- Wind · air 5 mph · 47 °F from the S, gusts 9 · overcast
- Surf tomorrow 5.1–7.9 ft Good day · 6/10 · 7:00–11:00 am
- Sun 7:21 am–4:34 pm 9 h 13 min of daylight
- Moon 92% · 4:34 pm waning gibbous · rises at 4:34 pm
Today in Thurso there are high tides at 9:30 am (5.8 ft) and 9:53 pm (5.8 ft) and low tides at 3:22 am and 3:42 pm. Tide coefficient 101. Right now the tide is falling toward the low tide at 4:05 am. The sun rises at 7:21 am and sets at 4:34 pm: 9 h 13 min of daylight. The moon is 92% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 4:34 pm. Major solunar periods run from 12:37 am to 2:37 am and from 1:08 pm to 3:08 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is rough, with 10 ft waves. There's a light breeze from the south (5 mph). Overcast, 47 °F.
Fishing in Thurso today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: high- Low tide at 3:42 pm
- Minor period 4:04–5:04 pm (moonrise)
- Sunset at 4:34 pm, golden hour from 3:33 pm
- Rising pressure (+0.69 inHg in 24 h), light cross-shore wind (10 mph) and very rough sea: 12 ft waves
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 101 (big spring tides)
- A minor period lines up with sunset
Bad weather during the best window: strong wind or big waves. If you go out, be very careful and stay off rocks and jetties.
Your day at a glance
The best window, 4:00 pm to 4:40 pm, combines the 3:42 pm low tide, moonrise and sunset, though with rising pressure and very rough seas.
Species with the most records nearby: haddock, European plaice, small-spotted catshark and whiting. October is one of the months when these are seen most: Atlantic cod. What you can catch
Beach day in Thurso
Is it a beach day?
- Sun and clouds
- Low tide at 3:42 pm: more sand
- Feels like 46 °F: chilly for the beach
- Rain (0.02 in)
- Moderate cross-shore wind (15 mph)
- Dangerous for swimming: 13 ft waves every 10 s; high rip current risk
Dangerous surf during beach hours. Stay out if the red flag is up, and never swim where there is no lifeguard.
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Dangerous · 13 ft
13 ft waves every 10 s: dangerous for swimming. Stay out if the red flag is up. High rip current risk. If you're caught in a rip current, don't swim against it: swim parallel to shore and wave for help. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 54 °F
Very cold: ease in and keep swims short.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 1 · SPF 15
Max UV 1 (low): SPF 15 sunscreen.
- Wind 15 mph
Moderate cross-shore wind (15 mph).
- Tide & sand 3:22 am
Low tide at 3:22 am and 3:42 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 9:30 am and 9:53 pm. Coefficient 101 (spring tides): little sand left at high tide.
We don't have data on jellyfish, sargassum or beach closures: ask the lifeguard or check with the local beach authority. How it works · The next 7 days
Beaches near Thurso
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Thurso Beach 0.4 mi · NE
- Parking
Good water quality 2025 season, SEPA
- Murkle Bay 3.4 mi · E
- Dunnet Beach 6.0 mi · E
- Restrooms
- Parking
Excellent water quality 2025 season, SEPA
Named beaches within 6.2 mi, nearest first. Amenities from OpenStreetMap: some may be missing or out of date. View on OpenStreetMap · Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
UK bathing water quality: SEPA. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Full attribution.
Webcams near Thurso
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Thurso
Today's high and low tides
- ▼ Low tide 3:22 am -6.6 ft
- ▲ High tide 9:30 am 5.8 ft · coef. 101
- ▼ Low tide 3:42 pm -6.4 ft
- ▲ High tide 9:53 pm 5.8 ft · coef. 98
↓ Falling The tide is falling. 4 h 15 min to low tide at 4:05 am.
Tide coefficient 101 for the 9:30 am high tide and 98 for the 9:53 pm high tide. Big spring tides. The water rises and falls 12.4 ft between the highest high and the lowest low: a large range for this place. 70 is an average tide here; 90 and above means spring tides; below 45, neap tides. What is the tide coefficient?
2026 extremes: the highest tide of the year is on August 14 (6.9 ft) and the lowest, on August 14 (-7.7 ft).
Semidiurnal: two high and two low tides a day, of similar height.
Heights above mean sea level. Astronomical prediction: wind and air pressure can raise or lower the water by a few inches, and more in a storm. Not for navigation. mean sea level
Tide coefficient and range in October
The biggest tides of the month came from October 26 to 28 (coefficient 102, 12.9 ft range). The smallest, on October 19 (coefficient 26, 4.2 ft).
Tide and solunar table · this week
| Day | Sun | Tide 1 | Tide 2 | Tide 3 | Tide 4 | Coef. | Moon | Major periods | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today, Wed 28 | 7:21 am · 4:34 pm | Low tide 3:22 am · -6.6 ft | High tide 9:30 am · 5.8 ft | Low tide 3:42 pm · -6.4 ft | High tide 9:53 pm · 5.8 ft | Coef. 101 | 92% | Major periods 12:37 am · 1:08 pm | High |
| Thu 29 | 7:23 am · 4:31 pm | Low tide 4:05 am · -6.0 ft | High tide 10:13 am · 5.4 ft | Low tide 4:28 pm · -6.0 ft | High tide 10:43 pm · 5.1 ft | Coef. 93 | 85% | Major periods 1:40 am · 2:12 pm | High |
| Fri 30 | 7:26 am · 4:29 pm | Low tide 4:50 am · -5.0 ft | High tide 11:02 am · 4.9 ft | Low tide 5:19 pm · -5.4 ft | High tide 11:42 pm · 4.2 ft | Coef. 81 | 76% | Major periods 2:45 am · 3:17 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:28 am · 4:27 pm | Low tide 5:42 am · -4.0 ft | High tide 11:59 am · 4.2 ft | Low tide 6:20 pm · -4.6 ft | — | Coef. 67 | 65% | Major periods 3:48 am · 4:18 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 7:30 am · 4:24 pm | High tide 12:51 am · 3.2 ft | Low tide 6:44 am · -3.0 ft | High tide 1:08 pm · 3.7 ft | Low tide 7:37 pm · -3.9 ft | Coef. 59 | Last quarter | Major periods 4:46 am · 5:14 pm | Low |
| Mon 2 | 7:33 am · 4:22 pm | High tide 2:10 am · 2.6 ft | Low tide 8:04 am · -2.3 ft | High tide 2:24 pm · 3.4 ft | Low tide 9:04 pm · -3.9 ft | Coef. 49 | 43% | Major periods 5:40 am · 6:05 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 7:35 am · 4:19 pm | High tide 3:35 am · 2.4 ft | Low tide 9:30 am · -2.3 ft | High tide 3:41 pm · 3.5 ft | Low tide 10:23 pm · -4.3 ft | Coef. 50 | 32% | Major periods 6:30 am · 6:53 pm | Medium |
▲ high tide · ▼ low tide · heights above mean sea level. Major periods: start time; they last 2 hours. Activity: based on the moon phase and the solunar periods.
Where this tide comes from
Thurso has no tide station nearby: its tide is calculated with the global FES2022 model, from the nearest model cells offshore (the first one 2.8 mi away). It may differ from the real tide by a few minutes and inches, and more with wind or storms. Heights are above mean sea level, not chart datum, so low tides are negative. Not for navigation.
Model attribution: FES2022 Tide was produced by LEGOS, NOVELTIS and CLS, funded by CNES, and distributed by AVISO (https://doi.org/10.24400/527896/a01-2024.004), AVISO licence (https://www.aviso.altimetry.fr/fileadmin/documents/data/License_Aviso.pdf). Modified by TidePlanet: constants interpolated from the nearest model cells offshore; heights above mean sea level.
The sea at Thurso
Sea stateSea state: rough
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common5.1 ft
- Significant10 ft
- Highest expectedHighest20 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 20 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 20 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Cross-offshore wind. The coast faces northwest and the wind comes off the land at an angle: calmer water near the shore, and bait and boats drift out to sea.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves ease over the next few days. The biggest waves arrive on Wednesday 28: 13 ft with a period of 11 s, from the west (very rough).
Water temperature
Water temperature →Water temperature changes how fish behave: in very cold or very warm water they feed less. The water is steady these days, with no sudden changes.
Water about normal for late October.
Satellite: NASA MUR (JPL MUR MEaSUREs, PO.DAAC), doi:10.5067/GHGMR-4FJ04. Sources and licenses
Water temperature →Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 11:50 pm (local time).
Surf in Thurso today
Surf today
Fair- 7.3–11 ft surf at the shore, big
- Big surf (11 ft): for experienced surfers
- 12 ft swell at 9 s from the west-northwest, a bit short
- Light offshore wind (8 mph): it holds up and grooms the waves
- Rising tide (high tide at 9:30 am)
Big surf: for experienced surfers only. If in doubt, stay on the beach.
- Light: First light 6:39 am · sunrise 7:21 am · sunset 4:34 pm · last light 5:16 pm
- Tide: low 3:22 am (-6.6 ft), high 9:30 am (5.8 ft), low 3:42 pm (-6.4 ft) and high 9:53 pm (5.8 ft). Every break has its own tide: some work at low tide and others at high tide. The tide doesn’t change the score here.
- Water at 53.8 °F: a 5/4 fullsuit with booties (and a hood if it’s windy).
- Energy: 2,148 kJ · Very high power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 7:00 am to 10:00 am, has a good size and light offshore wind, though with big surf. 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm can also work, with a good size, though with big surf.
An estimate for this stretch of coast, not for a specific break: every beach or reef works its own way (its tide, bottom and angle). Check it when you get there.
Follow the flags and the lifeguards, and don’t paddle out if the surf is above your level: this score is a guide, not a substitute for what you see when you get there.
Diving in Thurso today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: poor- Slack water around high tide (9:30 am): little current from 9:00 am to 9:50 am
- 11 ft swell at 9 s from the west-northwest: heavy surge on the bottom
- Light offshore wind (11 mph)
- 1.7 mph current toward the east, strong (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
Not a day for shore diving: swell, wind, current or storms during the best window. If you go, go with a dive shop and only if they give the OK.
- Slack water today: low tide 3:22 am (3:07–3:40 am), high tide 9:30 am (9:00–9:50 am), low tide 3:42 pm (3:27–4:00 pm) and high tide 9:53 pm (9:30–10:20 pm)
- Likely visibility: poor. Swell (up to 13 ft at 10 s) over the last few days has stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 53.8 °F: a 7 mm semi-dry suit, with hood, gloves and booties.
- Snorkeling: better not, with these waves, wind or current.
- Night dive: dark from 5:16 pm. Waning gibbous (92%), rising at 4:34 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 7:40 am to 10:40 am, combines slack water at high tide, light wind and the sun high, though with a big swell and current.
Slack water comes from the tide: in inlets, channels and between islands the water can keep running for an hour or two after. Ask the local dive shop.
Never dive alone and check with the local dive shop: this rating is a guide, not a substitute for a professional.
Dive sites, wrecks and dive shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- De Haai 1.2 mi
- Hmt Beech 1.3 mi
- Solan 3.5 mi
- Sunlight 3.8 mi
- Kasparoff 4.4 mi
- Dalewood 5.6 mi
- Arnisdale 8.2 mi
- Caithness Diving Club 0.7 mi
Within 12 mi. Some may be missing or closed; marine reserves usually need a permit. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Wreck and reef positions are approximate and not for navigation; a wreck’s depth runs from the top of the hull to the seabed.
Sites: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Wrecks: EMODnet Human Activities (AND-International), from UK Hydrographic Office data, CC BY 4.0. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Weather in Thurso
Now in Thurso
- Low / high
- 45 / 53 °F
- Rain
- 0.04 in · 39%
- Clouds
- 85%
- Humidity
- 93%
- Dew pointDew point
- 46 °F
- Visibility
- 12 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Fair · 26
- Saharan dust
- No
- Pollen
- None
Pressure and fishing
- ↗ RisingRising · now Anglers say fish bite less for a while
- → SteadySteady Anglers expect normal activity
- ↘ FallingFalling Anglers say fish feed more before the change
Rising now (+0.05 inHg in 3 hours). Over the next 48 hours: +0.30 inHg. Rising pressure: anglers say fish bite less for a while. Fast changes, either way, tend to affect fishing.
Today, hour by hourHour by hour
Bars: mean wind. Dashed line: gusts. Arrows point where the wind blows to.
| Time | 12:00 am | 3:00 am | 6:00 am | 9:00 am | 12:00 pm | 3:00 pm | 6:00 pm | 9:00 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky | Partly cloudy | Overcast | Overcast | Light rain | Mainly clear | Partly cloudy | Overcast | Mainly clear |
| Temperature | 46° | 45° | 47° | 48° | 52° | 53° | 51° | 50° |
| Wind (mph) | 14 SSW | 9 S | 8 SSW | 11 SW | 14 WSW | 12 WSW | 10 SW | 8 SW |
| Gusts | 25 | 21 | 14 | 17 | 26 | 23 | 16 | 14 |
| Waves | 13 ft | 13 ft | 12 ft | 12 ft | 13 ft | 12 ft | 12 ft | 11 ft |
| Rain | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.02 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
- 12:00 am 47° 5 S 10 ft
- 3:00 am 46° 5 S 9.2 ft
- 6:00 am 47° 5 S 8.2 ft
- 9:00 am 50° 6 S 7.2 ft
- 12:00 pm 56° 7 S 6.4 ft
- 3:00 pm 55° 9 SSE 5.6 ft
- 6:00 pm 51° 6 SSE 5.0 ft
- 9:00 pm 49° 6 SSE 4.5 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 45 / 53 °F | 15 mph SW | 13 ft | 9:30 am · 9:53 pm | |
| Thu 29 | 46 / 57 °F | 10 mph S | 10 ft | 10:13 am · 10:43 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 51 / 54 °F | 13 mph SSE | 4.7 ft | 11:02 am · 11:42 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 51 / 53 °F | 14 mph WNW | 5.5 ft | 11:59 am | |
| Sun 1 | 45 / 50 °F | 13 mph WNW | 5.9 ft | 12:51 am · 1:08 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 44 / 53 °F | 7 mph W | 6.0 ft | 2:10 am · 2:24 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 37 / 51 °F | 6 mph SW | 4.5 ft | 3:35 am · 3:41 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 37 / 50 °F | 7 mph SW | 6.0 ft | 4:52 am · 4:48 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 38 / 49 °F | 6 mph S | 5.2 ft | 5:49 am · 5:44 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 31 / 44 °F | 6 mph S | 3.5 ft | 6:31 am · 6:30 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 26 / 42 °F | 4 mph SSW | 2.8 ft | 7:07 am · 7:11 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 31 / 43 °F | 6 mph S | 3.4 ft | 7:41 am · 7:50 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 39 / 47 °F | 8 mph SSE | 3.5 ft | 8:14 am · 8:28 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 44 / 51 °F | 4 mph NNE | 4.1 ft | 8:47 am · 9:05 pm |
- Thu 29 Overcast 46° / 57° 10 ft
- Fri 30 Light rain 51° / 54° 4.7 ft
- Sat 31 Light rain 51° / 53° 5.5 ft
- Sun 1 Light rain 45° / 50° 5.9 ft
- Mon 2 Light drizzle 44° / 53° 6.0 ft
- Tue 3 Light drizzle 37° / 51° 4.5 ft
- Wed 4 Overcast 37° / 50° 6.0 ft
Each day comes from the best model covering this spot: regional ones first (HRRR and NBM in the U.S., AROME, ICON-EU), then ECMWF; day 16, NOAA GFS. Waves: Météo-France up to day 10, then ECMWF WAM, coarser and further offshore. High tides: our own tide calculation.
- The models Partly agree · medium confidence: unsure about rain today. See the models →
- Outlook Next few weeks, compared with normal: normal temperatures, normal rain and a slightly warmer sea. See the outlook →
- Normal Today, normal highs for late October (51 °F). Climate by month →
Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 11:50 pm (local time).
The sun in Thurso
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 5:52 am
- Full dark 6:03 pm
- Civil dawn 6:39 am
- Civil dusk 5:16 pm
- Solar noon 11:58 am (18° high)
- Daylight 9 h 13 min (−5 min)
- Evening golden hour 3:33 pm
- Full dark 6:03 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,359,622 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Thurso
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,451 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: high- 12:37–2:37 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 1:08–3:08 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 11:05 am–12:05 pm Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 4:04–5:04 pm Minor · moonrise · medium activity
According to solunar theory, fish feed more when the moon passes overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 h) and when it rises or sets (minor periods, 1 h). It works best around new and full moon.
Upcoming moon phases
2026 moon calendar →- Last quarter Sun, Nov 1 · 8:29 pmNov 1 in 4 days
- New moon Mon, Nov 9 · 7:03 amNov 9 in 12 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 11:48 amNov 17 in 20 days
- Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 2:54 pmNov 24 in 27 days
Perigee on October 28, 226,426 mi away, coinciding with the spring tides from October 26 to 28: they will be stronger than usual.
Where to fish in Thurso
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Dwarwick Pier 6.1 mi
- Harpsdale Fishery Park 7.3 mi
- Boat ramp 6.1 mi
- Boat ramp 7.5 mi
- Jubilee Quay 1.5 mi
- Harper's Fishing and Field Sports 0.4 mi
Within 9.3 mi. A spot may be missing or closed. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Spots: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps.
Water depth
Gentle slopeThe bottom slopes gently: 16 ft deep 0.3 mi from shore and 33 ft at 0.4 mi. It reaches 164 ft at 2 mi.
From the shoreline (0.6 mi from Thurso) out to sea, heading north.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep0.3 mi
- 33 ft deep0.4 mi
- 66 ft deep1.7 mi
- 164 ft deep2 mi
For fishing, swimming and diving
- Shore fishing. Shallow, gradual bottom (16 ft at 0.3 mi): cast far from the beach and fish the high tide, when there is more water close in.
- Swimming. A very gentle way in with plenty of shallow water, good for kids. At low tide the water can be far out.
- Diving. 33 ft deep 0.4 mi from shore; 66 ft is far out (1.7 mi): for deeper dives, go by boat.
Rough estimate: here the data comes in cells of about 0.3 mi and misses details near shore (rocks, sandbars, small coves). The profile is turned slightly from the coast so it does not run into an island or a headland.
Source: EMODnet Bathymetry DTM 2024, here using the GEBCO grid (CC BY 4.0), cells of about 0.3 mi; depth at the lowest astronomical tide. For reference only: not for navigation or anchoring.
Nearest lighthouse
Holburn Head Lighthouse 1.6 mi north
- Light
- A flash every 10 s; white or red depending on where you see it from · Fl WR 10s
- Range
- 15 nautical miles (17 mi)
- Light height
- 75 ft above sea level
- Tower height
- 56 ft
- Built
- 1862
Data from Wikidata. For reference only: not for navigation. Wikipedia · Wikidata · Sources and licenses
Tides near ThursoTides nearby
- Castletown5.0 mi
- Ackergill17 mi
- Wick19 mi
- Staxigoe19 mi
- Rackwick20 mi
- Burwick22 mi
- Dunbeath24 mi
- Saint Margaret's Hope26 mi
- Stromness27 mi
- Helmsdale33 mi
Thurso at a glance
- Town or city of about 7,390 people. Coordinates: 58.593° N, 3.526° W.
- It is 81 mi north of Inverness, the main place in Highland. The sun rises 1 min later and sets 7 min earlier than in Inverness.
- Its coast faces northwest.
Questions about ThursoQuestions
What time is high tide today in Thurso?
Today in Thurso there are high tides at 9:30 am (5.8 ft) and 9:53 pm (5.8 ft) and low tides at 3:22 am and 3:42 pm. Tide coefficient 101.
What time is sunset today in Thurso?
At 4:34 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 5:16 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Thurso?
At 7:23 am. First light comes at 5:54 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 92% illuminated. New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 7:03 am.
When are the next spring tides?
From October 26 to 28, together with the lunar perigee: they will be stronger than usual.
What are today's solunar periods?
Major 12:37–2:37 am, Minor 11:05 am–12:05 pm, Major 1:08–3:08 pm, Minor 4:04–5:04 pm. Today's activity is high.
What's the weather like today in Thurso?
Light showers, from 45 °F to 53 °F, with a light breeze from the south (5 mph) and a 39% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Thurso?
Rough (Douglas 5): 10 ft waves with a period of 10.0 s from the west-northwest. The water is 53.8 °F.
When is the best time to visit Thurso?
The best time to visit Thurso is from June to August: highs of 57 °F to 61 °F, about 13 rainy days a month and 5 hours of sunshine a day.
Can I use this data for navigation?
No. These are predictions for fishing and leisure; for navigation, use the official publications.
Where this data comes from
Tide: global FES2022 model (AVISO/CNES), licensed AVISO; constants for this place computed by TidePlanet from the nearest model cells offshore. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).