Thurso East Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.61° N 3.50° W

Thurso East Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 22 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso East sea temperature is
13.7°C
0.4° 

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 22 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s period, WNW swell with 1,024 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s 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 (Aug 23) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. 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 2.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sun 23rd Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 24th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 7AM (Mon 24th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, folks. Rusty here, with a look at the next couple of weeks for Thurso East. It's a slow burn, but there's a serious pulse of energy coming down the line that's got me buzzing. Let's get into it.

The first few days are a total flop, I'm afraid. Saturday the 22nd through Sunday the 23rd are a complete mess with onshore and cross-onshore winds, and the swell is tiny and weak. You'd be better off cleaning the wax off your board. There's a real gap in quality surf here until we get some proper conditions.

Then Monday the 24th, things start to look interesting. The wind swings offshore, light and clean from the SE. The swell lifts to 7ft at 11 seconds from the WNW, with a combined energy of 973 (moderate-to-strong). It's not the biggest, but it's clean and has shape. This is a proper window of surf. The water temp is 57°F, which is about average for the time of year.

Now, the real standout. Look at Thursday the 4th of September. This is the one. The forecast is showing a solid 12ft swell from the west, with a period of 12 seconds – that's a proper groundswell. The combined energy hits 3043 (strong). The wind is light offshore from the SE, which will keep the face of these waves clean for as long as it holds. This is expert territory, over 8ft, so only the keenest and most experienced should be looking at it. The wave quality is set to be excellent for those who can handle it. Friday the 5th of September is still good, with an 8ft swell and offshore winds, but the wind is a bit stronger, making it a little more challenging.

The rest of the second week is a bit of a mixed bag. There's a lot of swell, like the 10ft on the 31st of August, but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, so it's going to be chopped up. The 3rd of September has a massive 10ft swell, but it's cross-onshore, making it a marginal call. The Monday the 4th and Tuesday the 5th of September are the only days that are truly clean and on the money.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a bit of a washout until Monday the 24th. The absolute best window for experienced surfers is the 4th of September, with the 5th being a solid backup. Keep an eye on the forecast, because it's a long way out, but this one has the potential to be a classic.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
3
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
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)
0.8
N
9
0.6
N
8
0.4
N
8
0.8
WNW
7
1
WNW
8
1.4
WNW
11
2
WNW
11
1.8
WNW
11
1.4
W
10
1.2
W
11
0.9
W
10
0.6
W
8
0.5
W
8
0.5
W
8
0.4
WNW
8
0.6
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.4
WNW
8
0.4
WNW
8
0.3
WNW
8
1.6
NNW
5
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
97
50
20
57
123
452
973
763
400
323
156
50
34
32
19
71
61
24
21
11
135
Wind (km/h)
20
NW
30
WNW
20
W
20
W
10
NW
5
SSE
15
SE
15
SE
20
SE
30
SE
25
ESE
20
ESE
25
ESE
25
SE
15
ESE
25
E
25
SE
20
SE
5
ENE
15
NW
25
NNW
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
on
cross-on
High Tide
5:18PM3.86m
6:14AM3.76m
6:34PM4.01m
7:22AM3.94m
7:29PM4.24m
8:08AM4.17m
8:10PM4.48m
8:43AM4.38m
8:45PM4.70m
9:14AM4.57m
9:16PM4.89m
9:44AM4.72m
9:46PM5.03m
Low Tide
11:03AM2.65m
00:01AM2.49m
12:23PM2.55m
1:05AM2.25m
1:18PM2.35m
1:49AM1.97m
1:59PM2.11m
2:26AM1.71m
2:35PM1.88m
2:59AM1.48m
3:08PM1.68m
3:31AM1.30m
3:40PM1.52m
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:48
5:50
5:52
5:54
5:56
5:58
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:43
8:39
8:37
8:35
8:31
8:29
8:27
 mm
1
3
2
14
Temp °C
14
15
14
14
15
13
17
18
15
15
14
14
16
16
14
14
15
14
15
14
14
Feels °C
9
11
10
11
13
13
14
14
11
10
9
10
12
12
12
10
12
10
15
12
10
  • 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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