
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso East surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, NNW swell with 1,163 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period with W 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso East in the next 16 days are 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
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 the bones for Thurso East.
First off, don’t get your hopes up for a solid run of waves straight away. The next few days are a write-off – a real mixed bag of strong onshore winds and messy, chopped-up surf. The water’s sitting at a chilly 56°F and the anomaly is near zero, so it’s about as average as it gets for the time of year, temperature-wise. Nothing to get excited about there.
The first real glimmer of a chance arrives on the morning of Tuesday, 28 July. A light offshore wind from the southeast is finally going to clean things up. You’re looking at a 4ft swell from the NNW, with a moderate 9-second period. The energy is moderate at 419, but it’s the clean conditions that make it a possibility. The break is a point, so that long-ish period from the NNW should wrap in nicely. It’s a small window though; the afternoon is gone with a cross-shore wind.
The next morning, Wednesday, 29 July, is a bit of a tease. The swell has dropped to 3ft from the north, but with a light cross-offshore breeze, the surface should be clean. The energy is weak at 270, so it’s strictly for the log or a fun mid-length. It’s marginal, but it’s the best of a bad stretch.
After that, we’re back into a grim spell. The wind swings onshore again, and the swell goes tiny or disappears altogether. There’s a solid gap from the 30th of July right through the first week of August with nothing worth paddling out for. Just wind and lumpy water.
Now, keep your eyes on Sunday, 2 August. I know it’s a week away, but there’s a pulse of energy coming in. The afternoon shows a 8ft swell from the NNW, with a 10-second period and a massive energy reading of 1239. That’s a strong pulse. The wind is a light cross-onshore from the NNW, which is a bit of a pain, but it’s a light breeze, so the surface shouldn’t be too messy. At 8ft, this is a legit expert-only session at Thurso East. It’s going to be a powerful, heavy wave with big sets. This is the standout of the whole 16-day window. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only real swell of size.
The days following that are a return to mediocrity. A few mornings on the 3rd and 4th of August have clean conditions with a cross-offshore breeze, but the swell is small, around 4ft to 5ft, and the energy is low. It’s a last resort for a tiny wave if you’re desperate.
In short, there’s a whole lot of ugly before the one good session. The standout is absolutely the afternoon of Sunday, 2 August, but only for the brave and experienced. For the rest of the time, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 10 | W 10 | NW 9 | W 10 | W 10 | NNW 9 | WSW 9 | N 9 | N 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | N 8 | WNW 5 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | N 8 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
845 | 530 | 639 | 586 | 326 | 243 | 266 | 198 | 157 | 130 | 100 | 54 | 42 | 133 | 243 | 228 | 131 | 247 | 163 | 280 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:51PM4.32m | 8:24AM4.15m | 8:32PM4.50m | 9:05AM4.29m | 9:09PM4.66m | 9:40AM4.43m | 9:42PM4.80m | 10:12AM4.53m | 10:14PM4.89m | 10:43AM4.59m | 10:44PM4.94m | 11:14AM4.61m | 11:15PM4.95m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:10AM1.96m | 2:18PM2.06m | 2:49AM1.76m | 2:55PM1.92m | 3:24AM1.58m | 3:30PM1.78m | 3:58AM1.44m | 4:04PM1.69m | 4:30AM1.35m | 4:37PM1.63m | 5:03AM1.31m | 5:10PM1.63m | ||||||||
— | — | 4:50 | — | — | 4:52 | — | — | 4:54 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | |
— | 9:49 | — | — | 9:46 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:43 | — | — | 9:40 | — | — | 9:38 | — | — | 9:36 | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 6 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 8 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | N 8 | N 8 | — | NNW 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 |
— | 439 | 639 | 360 | 295 | 243 | 256 | 198 | 157 | 130 | 100 | 54 | 42 | 28 | — | 228 | 111 | 80 | 61 | 48 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 10 | — | W 10 | W 9 | NNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | W 8 | NNW 9 | — | E 7 | SE 6 | W 11 | S 5 | — |
— | — | 408 | — | 326 | 176 | 47 | 101 | 113 | 93 | 63 | 44 | 28 | 8 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | W 5 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 5 | SE 5 | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | W 10 | — | W 10 | — | SE 3 | WSW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 5 | NNW 7 | W 5 | W 5 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 |
845 | 530 | — | 586 | — | 3 | 266 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 133 | 243 | 43 | 131 | 247 | 163 | 280 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1114 | 450 | 25 | 141 | 1 | 0 | 414 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 450 | 282 | 134 | 2 | 54 | 54 | 1 |
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.










