
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso East surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NW swell with 1,297 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period with NNW 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 (Aug 11) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. 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 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso East over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Thurso East.
First thing to say – this is a wild stretch. The first week is a write-off, and we’ve got a long, frustrating gap before anything worth paddling out for shows up. We’re looking at basically a full week of onshore wind and raw, messy conditions. The water temps are sitting about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first real glimmer of life comes on Tuesday, 11 August. It’s small – a clean 4ft from the N with a short 8-second period and gentle offshore wind from the SE. The energy is weak (183), but it’s an offshore wind at Thurso East, which is a major positive. The crowd factor is “sometimes”, so you might have a few mates out, but it won’t be a circus. This is the best option on offer in the first week. By Tuesday afternoon, it drops to 3ft, so get on it early.
Wednesday, 12 August, is tiny – 1ft to 2ft – but the wind goes glassy in the afternoon. That’s a treat for the eyes, but you’ll be on a longboard pushing for scraps. The 12-second period on the morning swell (1ft from the W) is a nice groundswell, but there’s just not enough height.
Then things get bleak. From Thursday, 13 August, right through to the end of the second week, the wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, and the swell is either too small, too short period, or both. The energy is low, often under 100. There’s a pulse of swell on Tuesday, 18 August (6ft from the W, 10 seconds, moderate energy of 565), but that cross-on wind from the W just makes it a lumpy, choppy mess. Not worth it.
The standout – and I mean the only real standout in the whole 16 days – is looking at Tuesday, 11 August, morning. That’s your window. 4ft from the N, 8-second period, clean SE offshore wind. It’s not a monster, but it’s the only time the wind plays nice with a rideable swell. For a spot like Thurso East, that’s a gift.
Apart from that, the rest of the period is a bust. The bigger swells in the third week (around 7ft from the WNW on Friday, 21 August) come with cross-on or onshore wind, ruining the shape. The energy is moderate to strong (811 on Friday morning), but the wind direction kills it for a point break like this. At 7ft and over, it’s expert territory anyway, and with onshore wind, it’s just a washing machine.
Bottom line: if you’re itching for a paddle, Tuesday morning, 11 August, is your only real shot. The rest? Save your energy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue night, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | N 9 | W 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
979 | 800 | 671 | 1129 | 845 | 366 | 165 | 80 | 26 | 41 | 75 | 31 | 56 | 82 | 94 | 65 | 27 | 40 | 12 | 51 | 47 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | on | glassy | off | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:32PM4.36m | 7:16AM4.39m | 7:36PM4.63m | 8:20AM4.63m | 8:30PM4.91m | 9:12AM4.84m | 9:16PM5.15m | 9:57AM4.97m | 9:59PM5.31m | 10:39AM4.99m | 10:40PM5.35m | 11:18AM4.92m | 11:19PM5.28m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:22PM2.08m | 1:01AM1.85m | 1:26PM1.88m | 1:59AM1.47m | 2:19PM1.67m | 2:49AM1.13m | 3:05PM1.49m | 3:34AM0.89m | 3:48PM1.37m | 4:17AM0.79m | 4:28PM1.34m | 4:58AM0.82m | 5:07PM1.40m | ||||||||
5:18 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:01 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 16 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NW 12 | SE 6 | SE 6 | NNW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | W 12 | W 10 | W 6 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 7 | W 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 |
26 | 14 | 110 | 1 | 1 | 366 | 165 | 80 | 26 | 41 | 75 | 28 | 56 | 82 | 94 | 65 | 27 | 40 | 12 | 51 | 47 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 8 | — | — | — | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | N 7 | N 7 | W 10 | ESE 6 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 |
6 | 1 | — | — | — | 41 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 8 | 31 | 4 | 18 | 29 | 25 | 24 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 29 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | ESE 5 | ESE 7 | N 9 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | W 9 | SE 6 | W 8 | SE 6 | N 4 |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | — | — | SE 3 | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 5 |
979 | 800 | 671 | 1129 | 845 | — | — | 3 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 170 | 754 | 423 | 215 | 292 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 72 | 72 | 923 | 72 | 72 |
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.











