
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso East surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, W swell with 1,702 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Thurso East this week:
The surf forecast for Thurso East over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso East in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso East over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Thurso East. It’s a bleak start, I’ll tell you that. The first five days? Forget it. Poor surf, cross-shore wind, chop. Not a wave worth paddling for.
The real standout is Monday morning the 10th of August. Thurso East is a classic point break, and that morning it’s got a 5ft swell from the NNW, with a 10-second period. That’s a proper groundswell. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the south, so it’s going to be glassy clean. The combined swell energy is 630 (moderate), and the water temp is 56°, which is about average for this time of year. That’s the session to circle—clean, lined-up waves. Crowds are possible here sometimes, so be ready.
The other decent option is Saturday the 15th of August. A 7ft swell from the west, but it’s got a short 7-second period, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and less organised. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the east, so the face will be clean. The combined energy is 440 (moderate). This one’s for experienced surfers only—7ft is too big for beginners, and the short period means it’ll be a bit fat and dumpy. But if you want a bigger wave in clean conditions, it’s an option.
After that, you’ve got a tiny window on Tuesday the 11th of August with a 3ft wave from the NNW, offshore wind. Surfable, but nothing special.
The long-range stuff around the 16th and 17th is small and inconsistent. Not much to get excited about.
So, the best bet is Monday the 10th for clean, solid groundswell on the point. Saturday the 15th if you want something bigger and can handle the short period. Otherwise, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Wed night, light winds from the W by Thu afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sat night, calm by Mon night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | NNW 6 | N 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
262 | 470 | 151 | 48 | 22 | 44 | 476 | 586 | 575 | 635 | 823 | 1418 | 830 | 326 | 502 | 283 | 207 | 109 | 84 | 63 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | off | off | off |
High Tide | 1:55AM4.48m | 2:44PM4.17m | 3:01AM4.28m | 3:55PM4.11m | 4:23AM4.15m | 5:15PM4.16m | 5:55AM4.19m | 6:32PM4.36m | 7:16AM4.39m | 7:36PM4.63m | 8:20AM4.63m | 8:30PM4.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:47PM2.10m | 8:27AM1.89m | 8:50PM2.27m | 9:36AM2.09m | 10:15PM2.33m | 11:01AM2.17m | 11:47PM2.18m | 12:22PM2.08m | 1:01AM1.85m | 1:26PM1.88m | 1:59AM1.47m | 2:19PM1.67m | 2:49AM1.13m | |||||||
— | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | |
— | 9:27 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:12 | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 10 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | W 11 | W 10 | N 6 | W 5 | W 6 | N 7 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | WNW 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 |
7 | 9 | 8 | 48 | 22 | 44 | 1 | 586 | 575 | 635 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 326 | 502 | 283 | 207 | 109 | 84 | 63 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | ESE 6 | E 6 | W 10 | N 6 | WNW 9 | N 10 | N 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | SE 6 | — | NW 12 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 |
2 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 12 | 29 | 2 | 2 | 20 | 31 | 8 | 1 | — | 202 | 86 | 46 | 18 | 9 | 8 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 11 | E 6 | NE 8 | W 10 | N 7 | — | N 11 | SE 5 | NNW 10 | — | — | — | N 9 | NW 9 | — | — | W 10 | — | W 9 |
— | 2 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | 9 | — | — | — | 79 | 39 | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 7 | NNW 6 | WNW 5 | SSW 2 | SSW 3 | W 8 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | — | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | — | NNE 3 | NNW 9 | — | — | SE 2 | SE 4 |
262 | 470 | 151 | 27 | 1 | 4 | 476 | 10 | 13 | — | 823 | 1418 | 830 | — | 3 | 88 | — | — | 1 | 9 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 180 | 596 | 255 | 72 | 1 | 1 | 314 | 1 | 414 | 423 | 423 | 2 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Thurso East Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Thurso East provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Thurso East can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Thurso East 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 East) 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 East 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 East, 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 and Kirkwall, 52 km (32 miles) away.











