
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso East surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, W swell with 4,419 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s. 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 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso East over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, checking in with a look at what we’ve got coming up at Thurso East over the next couple of weeks.
Truth be told, it’s a tough start. For a spot that’s as exposed as this, we’re looking at a lot of strong, messy wind early on. The first few days are a write-off. We’ve got Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th with solid swell, but the wind is fresh and cross, making a mess of things. The energy is there – moderate to strong readings of 470 and 2980 – but it’s lumpy and choppy. Not what you want.
Sunday the 13th shows a bit of a change. The morning is still a bit bumpy with a gentle cross-onshore, but by the afternoon, the wind swings around to a light offshore from the NNW. That’s a game changer. We’re looking at a 5ft swell out of the WNW at a 10-second period. It’s not huge, but it’ll be clean. The combined energy is moderate at 827. This is a window to watch.
Then Monday the 14th, things drop off in size but the wind is good. A clean, cross-offshore breeze and a 3ft swell from the NNW, with a classic 12-second period. It’s small and clean. The energy is weak at 414, but for a quiet session on a longboard, it could be your only chance for a groomed wave this week. The water temp is about average for the time of year.
Now, let’s talk about the standouts. We’ve got a couple of big pulses coming, but the wind is a problem until we get to the 24th. On Thursday the 24th of September, the stars align. The morning shows an 12ft swell from the NNW with a 9-second period – that’s powerful, but the wind is light and cross-offshore. The combined energy is strong at 3500. This is expert territory at 12ft, but with that clean wind and the point break handling it, this is the best on offer. It’s a standout for the experienced crew.
Before that, on the 20th, there’s a massive 18ft swell from the WNW with a 14-second period. The energy is extreme at 13080. The morning has a clean cross-offshore wind, but that size is only for the very best. It’s a serious, heavy day. The afternoon is a no-go with storm-force winds. So, the 20th morning is a promise for experts only, but the 24th is the real call for those who can handle it.
There are long gaps with nothing to recommend. After the 15th, the week is a mix of onshore winds and blown-out conditions until the 20th, and then again a lull until the 24th. It’s a picky period.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat morning, calm by Sun afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Wed afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, strong winds from the NNW by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 7 | WNW 8 | W 10 | W 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 | W 9 | W 9 | W 13 | W 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
469 | 497 | 882 | 2972 | 3333 | 1619 | 823 | 530 | 387 | 308 | 246 | 311 | 229 | 296 | 192 | 224 | 387 | 375 | 775 | 4419 | 3513 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 9:38AM5.00m | 9:38PM5.31m | 10:12AM5.01m | 10:14PM5.32m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:29PM1.34m | 3:55AM0.82m | 4:05PM1.28m | 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 | ||||||||
6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | |
— | 7:46 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 6 | 11 | 5 | 12 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | W 10 | W 10 | N 9 | SE 7 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NNW 12 | W 9 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | NNW 7 | W 9 | N 9 | W 13 | W 13 |
2 | 165 | 882 | 6 | 7 | 1619 | 823 | 530 | 282 | 308 | 215 | 311 | 229 | 296 | 192 | 224 | 114 | 375 | 73 | 4419 | 3513 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | SE 7 | WNW 14 | SE 6 | N 9 | — | NNW 14 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | WNW 9 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | N 11 | N 10 | SE 6 | N 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | — | N 8 | N 8 |
1 | 2 | 371 | 58 | 2 | — | 110 | 297 | 387 | 106 | 246 | 161 | 112 | 73 | 2 | 14 | 7 | 132 | — | 34 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | — | — | SE 6 | — | — | — | SE 5 | — | SE 6 | SE 6 | — | S 6 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | — | — | — |
— | 2 | 8 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 6 | — | 5 | 5 | — | 1 | 7 | 24 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | WNW 8 | SSW 3 | W 13 | WNW 12 | — | — | — | SE 3 | S 3 | WSW 4 | S 3 | WNW 4 | — | NW 5 | NNW 6 | W 11 | SSW 3 | W 9 | WNW 13 | — |
469 | 497 | 2 | 2972 | 3333 | — | — | — | 2 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 20 | — | 91 | 87 | 387 | 4 | 775 | 3042 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 580 | 25 | 1 | 423 | 390 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 8 | 141 | 522 | 522 | 522 | 1 | 2 | 349 | 2 |
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.










