Thurso East Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s break down what’s on the cards for Thurso East over the next sixteen days. The first ten days or so are pretty quiet and rough, with a long stretch of nothing much to get excited about. The water temp is sitting at 55°F, which is about normal for this time of year.

From Wednesday the 15th through to around Tuesday the 22nd, it’s mostly a battle. On Wednesday morning the 15th, there’s a tiny 2ft swell from the west with a 9-second period, and a light offshore wind from the southeast at 9 mph, keeping it clean. But the energy is only 71 (weak) – small and weak. After that, it’s a solid run of onshore winds and small surf. Saturday the 18th gets 4ft from the northwest with an 8-second period, but onshore winds at 12 mph make it choppy. The energy hits 172 (moderate), but the quality is poor. Monday the 20th sees 5ft from the northwest with a 7-second period, hammered by 19 mph onshore winds – that’s more for kite-surfing than a clean paddle.

From Wednesday the 22nd to Friday the 24th, the swell stays under 3ft, with onshore winds. Saturday the 25th afternoon goes glassy with 2ft from the west at 10 seconds, energy 92 (weak) – clean but tiny. Sunday the 26th morning is dead calm with 3ft from the west at 10 seconds, energy 146 (moderate) – another rare clean moment, but still small.

The best window is the final few days. Monday the 27th of July morning has 5ft from the west-northwest with an 11-second period, but light cross-onshore winds. Energy is 476 (strong). Tuesday the 28th morning is glassy with 5ft from the west-northwest at 10 seconds, energy 433 (strong) – clean and punchy, but getting sizeable. The real standout is Wednesday the 29th of July. The morning sees 6ft from the west with an 11-second period, and a gentle offshore wind from the southeast at 9 mph. Combined energy is 661 (strong to very strong). That’s a proper groundswell with long period and offshore wind – the best day of the forecast. The afternoon holds similar quality with 5ft from the west at 10 seconds and offshore winds from the south-southeast. Thurso East is a point break, so that long-period swell will peel nicely, and it’s an expert wave. It’s fairly consistent, and crowds can be around sometimes, so expect a few others out.

After that, Thursday the 30th drops back to 3ft with cross-offshore wind, but it’s ordinary.

So, the first week and a half is mostly a write-off, but the 28th and especially the 29th of July are your best bets. That Wednesday is looking real good.

Rusty

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