
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso East surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, W swell with 7,474 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s 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 (Sep 08) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso East in the next 16 days are 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso East over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Thurso East. This is a serious, expert-only point break that needs a specific window to get its act together. The water is sitting at 57°, which is pretty much where you’d expect it to be for this time of year – nothing unusual there.
The first solid call is a bit of a tease. On Sunday the 6th, we’ve got a clean, 3ft W swell with a 9-second period, but the wind is a moderate SE breeze, which is actually offshore here. That’s the sweet spot, but the swell is small and the wave energy is weak (210). It’s a tiny window, and it’s gone by the afternoon. For the next few days, the wind turns ugly – cross-shore and onshore – and the swell gets lumpy and messy. Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th see the swell building to 5ft and 8ft, but it’s all cross-shore chop, so it’s a write-off.
Then things start to get interesting. By Tuesday afternoon on the 8th, the wind swings to a gentle SSE offshore, and we’ve got an 8ft W swell, 11-second period, pushing serious energy (1800). That’s a big, clean wave for experienced surfers only. It’s the first real standout. The next few days are a mixed bag, but the real highlight is shaping up for Saturday the 12th. The morning has an 8ft WNW swell, 13-second period, and a light cross-off breeze. The afternoon cleans up even more, with an 8ft WNW swell and light cross-off wind, delivering massive energy (2449). That’s groundswell, long period, and it’s going to be a proper, powerful wave at the point. It’s for experts only, and it’s the best on offer in the first week.
The wave energy stays high through Sunday the 13th, with a 10ft WNW swell, but the wind gets a bit fresh. The following week is a lottery. The standout of the second week looks like Saturday the 20th. The afternoon brings a 12ft W swell, 12-second period, and a clean cross-off breeze. The energy is enormous (3547). That’s a beast of a wave, and it’s going to be a serious session for anyone who knows what they’re doing. The Monday the 21st looks similar, with another 12ft WNW swell, but it’s less certain this far out. There’s a lot of clean, big swell on the horizon, but it’s a waiting game on the wind.
This is a break that can get crowded, and when it’s on, it’s on. If you’re not an expert, stay well clear when it’s over 8ft. For the rest of us, the 12th and the 20th are the ones to circle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the W by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 10 | W 8 | W 11 | W 14 | W 11 | W 11 | NW 11 | NNW 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 9 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
117 | 50 | 423 | 309 | 1109 | 5172 | 1392 | 1800 | 1009 | 495 | 165 | 86 | 43 | 40 | 246 | 410 | 426 | 341 | 1915 | 2449 | 1905 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | off | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:06PM4.09m | 6:11AM4.14m | 6:28PM4.33m | 7:23AM4.42m | 7:29PM4.65m | 8:16AM4.69m | 8:17PM4.95m | 9:00AM4.89m | 9:00PM5.19m | 9:38AM5.00m | 9:38PM5.31m | 10:12AM5.01m | 10:14PM5.32m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:53AM2.41m | 11:44PM2.10m | 12:19PM2.25m | 00:56AM1.73m | 1:20PM1.99m | 1:50AM1.36m | 2:08PM1.71m | 2:35AM1.05m | 2:50PM1.49m | 3:16AM0.87m | 3:29PM1.34m | 3:55AM0.82m | 4:05PM1.28m | ||||||||
6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:44 | — | |
mm | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 8 | SE 7 | W 11 | W 11 | W 14 | W 11 | W 11 | SE 7 | W 10 | N 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 9 | SE 5 | W 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 |
117 | 50 | 16 | 90 | 1109 | 5172 | 1392 | 1800 | 8 | 190 | 89 | 86 | 43 | 40 | 246 | 1 | 33 | 341 | 1915 | 2449 | 1905 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | WNW 8 | N 8 | ESE 7 | W 14 | — | SE 6 | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 5 | NNE 7 | — | — | WNW 14 | — | — | SE 6 |
78 | 39 | 6 | 5 | 243 | — | 6 | — | — | 154 | 165 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 5 | — | — | 301 | — | — | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NW 7 | W 16 | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | SE 7 | NW 8 | N 6 | NNE 5 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
15 | 14 | 2 | 21 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | SSE 4 | W 10 | W 8 | — | S 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | NW 11 | NNW 8 | — | — | S 2 | — | — | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — |
21 | 11 | 423 | 309 | — | 20 | 37 | 18 | 1009 | 495 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 410 | 426 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 427 | 364 | 920 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 616 | 192 | 30 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 596 | 423 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 |
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.










