Thurso East Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s run through the same outlook for Thurso East, but in feet and miles per hour, the way some folks like it.

We’ve got only one spot on the map here: Thurso East. It’s a classic point break, rated expert, so you better know what you’re doing. It’s fairly consistent and takes swell from the NNW best. Water temp is 54°F, right about normal for this time of year, nothing to write home about.

The surf window opens up Tuesday morning, 7th July. A west swell around 3ft with a 9-second period and moderate energy (232). The wind is glassy, dead calm, so it’s going to be smooth as glass. Not a big wave, but on a point, that short period will make it a bit quick and walled. Clean though, and that’s a big positive. That afternoon, the swell holds at 3ft from the west, wind turns light offshore from the SE, so the face stays clean.

Wednesday the 8th is a no-go. The morning has a light cross-onshore breeze and only 3ft of west swell, poor quality. The afternoon has 4ft with an offshore wind from the NW, but the comment says poor, so don’t bother.

Thursday the 9th is marginal, not worth suiting up for. Small cross-shore bumps on a 4ft west swell.

Now Friday the 10th has a real highlight. The morning is small at 2ft, but the wind is offshore from the ESE with clean conditions and moderate energy (155). Small but clean on a point can be a lot of fun. The afternoon is a different beast. The swell jumps to 4ft from the WNW with a longer 11-second period and strong energy (406). That’s got some real power, but the wind swings onshore from the NW, so it’s going to be messy. This is one for experts only, and even then, it’ll be a fight.

Saturday the 11th has onshore wind all day, so the 4ft swell is blown out. Sunday the 12th is small and clean in the morning with a light offshore, but only 2ft with weak energy (69). Monday the 13th is even smaller.

Tuesday the 14th is the next real standout. The morning: glassy, a west swell at 4ft with a 10-second period and moderate energy (242). That’s clean, glassy, and fun. The point should be offering up good shape. The afternoon holds 3ft with cross-offshore wind, so still decent, just not as perfect.

After that, we’re looking at a long stretch of weak, small surf, with periods dropping to 7 or 8 seconds and energy mostly below 100. There’s a minor bump on the 21st with 3ft from the NW and moderate energy (135), but the wind is cross-onshore and choppy.

The best bets are Tuesday 7th July morning for that glassy 3ft west swell, and Tuesday 14th July morning for the glassy 4ft west swell. The afternoon of the 10th has the biggest swell at 4ft with long period and strong energy, but the onshore wind ruins it for all but the most experienced.

Crowds can be around Thurso East sometimes, so on those good days, you might see a few others out, but it’s not usually packed solid.

So, if you’re picking a day, go for Tuesday 14th July morning. Tuesday 7th July morning is your next best. After that, it’s a lot of flat and weak conditions until the end of the run.

Rusty.

Read more