Thurso East Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a wild ride, so buckle up.

Right off the bat, don’t bother paddling out just yet. The first couple of days are a write-off. Sunday the 13th is a mess of a day – strong cross-onshore winds and choppy surf in the morning, and while the afternoon goes glassy with a clean 5.6ft swell from the WNW, the overall conditions are just marginal. Monday the 14th is cleaner but tiny, with knee-high 2.9ft swell from the NNW. You’re better off waiting.

The real story kicks off later in the week. Thursday the 18th of September is where things get interesting for the crew who can handle it. We’ve got a proper pulse of groundswell pushing in. Friday morning is the standout, with a solid 11.5ft swell out of the WNW, a long period of 14 seconds, and clean conditions thanks to a cross-offshore SSW breeze. The combined energy is pumping at 5462, which is a lot of power. This is expert territory though – at that size and period, the waves will be heavy and lined up. Thurso East is a point break, so those long-period swells from the optimum NNW direction will wrap in nicely, but you need to know what you’re doing. It’s a fairly consistent spot, but crowds are possible.

The weekend gets rowdy but sloppy. Saturday the 19th sees another 9.8ft to 11.5ft swell, but strong cross-shore winds will chop it up. Not worth it. Sunday the 20th is the next real moment of truth. We’ve got a monster 16.4ft swell in the morning from the WNW with a very long 15-second period – that’s some serious groundswell energy (10555). The wind is cross-shore, making it lumpy, but the afternoon cleans up with a cross-offshore SSE breeze and a still-massive 13.1ft swell (6997). Again, experts only. That kind of size at a point break can create some incredibly long, powerful walls, but you’d better be on your game. It’s a big, dangerous setup.

After that, the swell stays huge but gets blown to bits. Monday the 21st through Wednesday the 23rd sees relentless storm-force winds and 18ft to 23ft waves. The guidance even says it’s predicted to be too big for the break. For the kitesurfers out there, this setup will be far more interesting than trying to paddle into a washing machine.

Things settle down towards the end of the outlook. Thursday the 24th of September brings a cleaner 16.4ft swell from the W with a cross-offshore breeze – that’s another window for the brave. Then the final few days are smaller but mostly blown out or onshore. The very last day, Monday the 28th, shows a 7.5ft swell from the N with light cross-shore winds, which might offer a final, cleaner session for the brave souls willing to battle the crowds.

Best on offer: If you’re an expert, clear your calendar for Friday the 18th. That 11.5ft WNW groundswell with clean offshore wind is the pick of the bunch for quality. For pure size and a bit more raw power, the afternoon of Sunday the 20th is the one to watch, but it’s a beast.

Stay safe out there.

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