Surf Forecasts:
Thurso East surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with 1,501 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 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso East over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Thurso East.
To be straight with you, the first week is a write-off. We’ve got a solid run of poor surf conditions from now through to Thursday, 24 July. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, blowing from the NW and WNW, and the swell is messy and short-period. The wave energy is moderate at best, hitting 245 on Monday afternoon, but it’s just not clean. The swell is too weak and the wind is wrecking it. For a spot that needs that perfect NW groundswell with offshore wind, this is a no-go. You’d be better off with a kiteboard if you’re desperate, but for a paddle surfer, forget it.
The tide turns on Friday, 25 July. We get a light cross-offshore wind from the S, and the swell drops to 7 ft from the WNW with a 10-second period. The combined energy is still beefy (874), but the conditions are only marginal. The good news is it’s clean. That’s the first real glimmer of hope.
Then we hit the sweet spot. The standout is Monday, 28 July, afternoon. The wind swings to a moderate SE offshore breeze, and we get a solid 7 ft WNW groundswell with a long 12-second period. The combined energy is a massive 1525, which is strong. This is the best of the whole forecast. The longer period means the waves will have proper shape and power, and with offshore wind, it’ll be glassy. It’s an expert-only affair at this size, but for those in the know, it’s going to be firing. The water temp is about 56°, which is normal for the time of year.
The rest of the second week is a bit of a mixed bag. Tuesday, 29 July, morning has light cross-shore wind and a 6 ft swell (11-second period), which is marginal but clean-ish. The afternoon of that day is a better bet with a light cross-offshore and 5 ft swell. After that, the swell fades fast, and by the end of the month, we’re back to poor conditions with onshore winds.
So, if you’re an expert, pencil in that Monday afternoon session. It’s the one true standout. The rest of the run is mostly waiting for the wind to play nice.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Fri morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Mon morning). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 125 | 108 | 106 | 173 | 122 | 84 | 74 | 82 | 45 | 117 | 237 | 352 | 297 | 356 | 452 | 371 | 343 | 202 | 232 | 420 | 824 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:45AM4.85m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 4:31 | — | — | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NE 6 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | N 6 | N 5 | WNW 11 | W 11 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NW 8 | — | N 7 | N 6 | W 15 | — |
| kJ | 125 | 108 | 106 | 2 | 122 | 84 | 24 | 9 | 43 | 114 | 5 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 371 | — | 1 | 3 | 4 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | WNW 12 | W 8 | N 6 | N 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 6 | 18 | 9 | 27 | 12 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 6 | — | — | W 14 | WNW 13 | W 9 | N 6 | NE 7 | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | 16 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 8 | N 5 | NNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 9 | 9 | 47 | 173 | 18 | 48 | 74 | 82 | 45 | 117 | 237 | 352 | 297 | 356 | 452 | 242 | 343 | 202 | 232 | 420 | 824 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 95 | 1114 | 72 | 419 | 215 | 26 | 26 | 255 | 117 | 286 | 729 | 72 | 315 | 450 | 450 | 487 | 419 | 44 | 180 | 476 | 29 |
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.
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