
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso East surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, WNW swell with 1,043 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Thurso East this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso East in the next 16 days are 2.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso East over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a hard look at what’s on offer for Thurso East over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, I gotta be straight with you – the first ten days are a write-off. We’re looking at a long stretch of onshore and cross-onshore winds, lumpy, messy conditions, and while the swell is there, the quality is just not there. It’s a real shame because the water temp is about 56°F which is pretty normal for the time of year, nothing unusual there. The combined energy of all swells directed here starts weak at 116 and builds into a solid moderate range, but it’s all blown out. For a point break like this, we need that clean, offshore wind to make it work, and we’re not getting it.
The first hint of a change doesn’t come until Monday the 27th. That’s a full 10-day gap of nothing worth paddling out for. On the 27th, early morning, we finally get a light offshore breeze from the S at 6 mph, with a 4ft swell from the W, period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is 370, a solid moderate wave energy. The file calls it clean, and I’m calling it our one true standout. The break is a world-class point, so that longer period will wrap in nicely. It’s a busy spot often, so expect company.
That afternoon, the wind swings to a light cross from the NE at only 3 mph, swell bumps up to 5ft from the W, period 10 seconds, and energy climbs to 512. It’s questionable with the tide, but if you get the timing right, it’s the best of a bad bunch.
After that, it’s back to the same old story – onshore winds and poor conditions through the end of July and into the start of August. The 31st of July and 1st of August see some 7ft to 8ft swells, but with strong cross-onshore winds, that’s expert territory and messy. The 1st of August has combined energy hitting 1030, which is very strong, but with that wind, it’s more of a windsurfing or kiting show than a clean surf session.
So, to sum it up: the first week and a half is a bust. The only real window is the morning of Monday the 27th of July. Get on it if you can, because that’s as good as it gets.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Tue afternoon, light winds from the NW by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
108 | 106 | 140 | 137 | 101 | 84 | 102 | 68 | 142 | 120 | 127 | 288 | 378 | 520 | 393 | 324 | 138 | 102 | 44 | 149 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 11:44PM5.19m | 12:31PM4.70m | 00:29AM5.05m | 1:16PM4.50m | 1:14AM4.84m | 2:04PM4.29m | 2:03AM4.58m | 2:54PM4.11m | 2:57AM4.31m | 3:51PM3.98m | 4:00AM4.08m | 4:54PM3.95m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:31PM1.54m | 6:05AM1.00m | 6:14PM1.70m | 6:51AM1.22m | 6:58PM1.91m | 7:38AM1.51m | 7:46PM2.13m | 8:29AM1.81m | 8:40PM2.34m | 9:27AM2.09m | 9:49PM2.49m | 10:35AM2.28m | 11:12PM2.51m | |||||||
— | — | 4:33 | — | — | 4:35 | — | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | |
— | 10:06 | — | — | 10:05 | — | — | 10:02 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:59 | — | — | 9:57 | — | — | 9:54 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | ENE 9 | WNW 7 | N 6 | N 6 | WNW 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | WNW 8 | N 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 |
108 | 106 | 140 | 15 | 101 | 16 | 10 | 43 | 59 | 51 | 75 | 5 | 12 | — | — | — | 138 | 22 | 44 | 149 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | NE 7 | — | ENE 9 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | W 8 | N 6 | N 5 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | NE 9 | N 6 | N 6 |
1 | 1 | 2 | — | 8 | 16 | 46 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | 58 | 3 | 12 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 6 | N 7 | — | W 14 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | N 6 | NE 8 | N 8 | E 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 9 | W 13 |
— | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | NW 5 | — | NW 7 | N 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 5 | — |
7 | 43 | — | 137 | 32 | 84 | 102 | 68 | 142 | 120 | 127 | 288 | 378 | 520 | 393 | 324 | — | 102 | 27 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 95 | 72 | 95 | 192 | 26 | 72 | 180 | 72 | 72 | 419 | 180 | 349 | 1114 | 72 | 95 | 95 | 72 | 72 | 100 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










