Thurso East Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.61° N 3.50° W

Thurso East Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 13 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso East sea temperature is
13.5°C
0.9° 

Thurso East surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Thurso East surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 15s period, WNW swell with 10,606 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s. 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 5.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) 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 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sun 13th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s
Best Surf 4PM (Sun 13th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sun 20th Sep)16ft (5.0m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso East over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

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.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the WNW by Tue morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Tue night, light winds from the SSW by Wed night).

Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
3
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
4
3
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
WNW
11
1.7
WNW
10
1.2
WNW
10
0.9
NNW
12
0.9
NNW
12
1.2
W
10
1
W
11
0.9
W
10
0.9
W
10
1.4
W
12
2
NNW
9
1.2
NNW
9
1.6
W
8
1.6
W
9
4
WNW
15
3.5
WNW
14
3
WNW
13
2.3
WNW
12
3
W
11
3.5
W
11
4.5
W
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
938
607
282
254
228
294
224
156
153
520
603
249
339
386
6461
5453
3503
1461
2216
2702
7865
Wind (km/h)
15
WSW
5
NNW
15
SSE
15
S
15
S
5
WSW
40
WNW
40
WNW
30
NW
30
NW
25
WNW
10
SSE
30
W
30
W
30
WSW
30
SSW
30
SSW
25
SW
40
SW
40
WSW
40
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
High Tide
10:45AM4.94m
10:49PM5.21m
11:16AM4.81m
11:23PM5.00m
11:47AM4.64m
11:58PM4.71m
12:19PM4.44m
00:35AM4.38m
12:56PM4.22m
1:21AM4.04m
1:43PM4.00m
2:27AM3.75m
2:54PM3.82m
Low Tide
4:31AM0.90m
4:40PM1.32m
5:06AM1.09m
5:15PM1.44m
5:39AM1.36m
5:50PM1.64m
6:12AM1.69m
6:27PM1.89m
6:47AM2.04m
7:09PM2.16m
7:27AM2.38m
8:04PM2.43m
8:25AM2.67m
9:34PM2.60m
clear
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:37
6:39
6:41
6:43
6:46
6:48
6:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:40
7:37
7:35
7:31
7:29
7:25
7:22
 mm
4
8
5
3
1
4
1
2
Temp °C
14
14
15
16
15
15
13
12
12
10
11
10
13
13
12
14
15
14
13
13
11
Feels °C
11
13
11
13
13
15
5
5
6
3
5
7
7
7
6
8
10
6
5
5
3
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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