Thurso East Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.61° N 3.50° W

Thurso East Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 30 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso East sea temperature is
13.9°C
0.9° 

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 30 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, W swell with 2,787 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s 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 01) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m 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 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 7AM. 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Tue 1st Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 6s
Best Surf10AM (Wed 2nd Sep)5ft (1.6m) 9s
Most Powerful 7AM (Fri 4th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here with your 16-day look at the Thurso-East scene. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag, so let’s break it down.

The first few days are a write-off, I’m not even gonna sugarcoat it. From Sunday the 30th right through to Tuesday the 3rd of September, the surf is poor—small, weak, or just plain messy. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no dramas there.

Now, Wednesday morning the 2nd of September is where things start to get interesting. We’ve got a clean 5ft swell rolling in from the NNW, with a period of 9 seconds and moderate wave energy (486). The wind is a light ENE, cross-off, and it’s glassy. This is a solid window for the experienced crew. The swell direction is a perfect match for what Thurso East likes, and the consistency is fair. Be aware that crowds can show up here sometimes, but on a Wednesday morning you might get lucky. The afternoon sees a 5ft swell from the north, with a 10-second period and a fresh offshore SE wind at 19 mph, keeping it clean. Wave energy is still solid (448). This is a quality day, but it's short period, so don't expect the world.

Thursday the 3rd is a bit of a letdown. The swell bumps up to 7ft to 8ft from the W and WNW, but the wind is a fresh cross-shore, making it lumpy. The period is short (7 seconds) in the morning, improving to 11 seconds in the afternoon, but that cross-chop is a killer. It’s a no-go for me.

Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are blown out. We’re looking at 10ft and 7ft swells from the WNW, but strong cross-onshore winds make it messy. The wave energy is massive (2512 and 1435), but this is kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing. The waves are too big and too wind-affected for a clean session.

The following week, from Sunday the 6th to Wednesday the 11th, is pretty quiet. The surf is small, inconsistent, and mostly onshore. A few days have a glimmer, like Monday the 7th with a 4ft swell, but it’s onshore. Not worth the paddle.

Now, here’s a standout to watch: Saturday the 12th of September. The morning brings a solid 12ft swell from the WNW, with a 9-second period and a moderate cross-off wind from the SSW at 12 mph. Wave energy is huge (1872). This is a big, powerful swell, only for the experts—it’s too big for beginners. The afternoon is similar, but the wind shifts cross-shore, making it lumpy. Still, the morning session is the one to circle on your calendar. This is a long-range call, so it’s promising but not locked in.

Finally, Monday the 14th of September. This one is a real treat. The morning has a 7ft swell from the NNW, 8-second period, and a light cross-off wind from the SSW at 6 mph. Wave energy is moderate (479) and the conditions are clean. The afternoon sees a 4ft swell from the north, with a light offshore SSE wind at 6 mph, and a clean, glassy surface. Wave energy is 272. This is a solid, consistent session for the experienced, with the offshore wind making it buttery. Crowds are possible, but the quality is worth it.

The best on offer? Wednesday morning the 2nd of September for the clean, consistent conditions, and Monday the 14th of September for the offshore wind and solid swell. Saturday the 12th is the big-wave standout for experts, but keep an eye on the forecast.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Mon morning, strong winds from the W by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Wed morning, strong winds from the W by Fri afternoon).

Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
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
1
0
0
0
2
1
1
0
1
3
0
0
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)
0.9
N
7
0.7
N
7
0.5
N
7
0.3
W
9
0.6
W
9
1.3
W
6
1.1
SW
4
2.1
WNW
8
1.5
NNW
7
1.6
NNW
9
1.5
N
10
1.2
N
10
2
W
7
2.3
W
11
2.5
W
13
3
WNW
12
2.2
WNW
12
1.5
W
12
1.6
W
11
1.7
W
10
1.2
W
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
72
43
21
15
55
135
35
481
215
413
414
279
419
1278
2168
2512
1430
617
577
539
172
Wind (km/h)
15
ESE
20
ESE
20
ESE
5
SW
35
WNW
15
SSW
35
SSW
40
WNW
25
NW
10
ENE
30
SE
20
S
35
WSW
30
WSW
20
SSW
40
WSW
45
W
35
W
40
WNW
45
WNW
25
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
10:42AM4.84m
10:47PM5.13m
11:13AM4.82m
11:19PM5.06m
11:47AM4.72m
11:55PM4.92m
12:25PM4.57m
00:38AM4.69m
1:11PM4.38m
1:32AM4.40m
2:10PM4.17m
2:47AM4.12m
3:31PM4.04m
Low Tide
4:44PM1.40m
5:08AM1.12m
5:17PM1.45m
5:43AM1.23m
5:54PM1.57m
6:21AM1.42m
6:34PM1.76m
7:04AM1.70m
7:23PM1.99m
7:57AM2.02m
8:29PM2.21m
9:12AM2.31m
10:04PM2.29m
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:05
6:07
6:11
6:13
6:15
6:16
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:21
8:17
8:15
8:12
8:09
8:07
8:04
 mm
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
3
1
Temp °C
13
14
14
16
12
13
14
13
11
11
11
14
15
15
12
13
13
12
12
12
12
Feels °C
10
11
13
15
5
8
7
5
5
6
5
10
7
9
8
5
4
5
4
3
7
  • 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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