
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso East surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NW swell with 1,389 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 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 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
| 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, Rusty here again, giving you the same outlook in feet and miles per hour.
So, the first week is a bust. Friday the 7th brings a 7ft west swell, but with a 19 mph crosswind, it’s all messy. Saturday and Sunday are no better – 7ft to 8ft of west swell, but the wind is cross and cross-on, gusting up to 22 mph. The wave energy is moderate to strong, but it’s all lumpy and unrideable. Honestly, for the first few days, this is more of a kite surfing deal than a paddle one.
The first real window comes on Tuesday the 11th, early. A light offshore breeze from the southeast at 9 mph cleans things up. It’s a small 4ft north swell, with a period around 9 seconds and weak energy. The breaks are surfable, but it’s very ordinary – small, clean, but nothing to write home about. That window is gone by Wednesday the 12th, when the swell drops to 1ft, and we’re back to flat, poor conditions.
We then hit a long, dry spell. From the 12th right through to the evening of the 20th, it’s all "poor surf conditions" and scores of 0. There’s a pulse of 5ft west swell on Thursday the 13th, but it’s all cross-on wind and lumpy. Wave energy stays low or moderate, but the quality is never there. It’s a proper blank run.
The standout is the morning of Tuesday the 11th. It’s the only time in the first week with clean, gentle offshore wind. The swell is small, but it’s the cleanest of the pack. For an expert spot like Thurso East, it’s a chance to get a few proper lines, but it’s not a big day. The water temperature is 56°F, which is about average for the time of year.
Looking further ahead, the second week is more of the same. Thursday the 20th afternoon sees a glassy, calm period with 1ft flatness, and Friday the 21st has a touch of clean, surfable 2ft to 2ft north swell, with glassy conditions by the afternoon. It’s tiny, but the wind is finally off, so you might get a few. But honestly, don’t hold your breath.
So, if you’re itching for a paddle, the Tuesday 11th morning is your one shot. After that, keep your eyes on the forecasts – things can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sat night, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 7 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
529 | 612 | 670 | 1085 | 463 | 786 | 1033 | 679 | 963 | 903 | 374 | 181 | 86 | 28 | 17 | 40 | 31 | 78 | 200 | 246 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | on | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:23AM4.15m | 5:15PM4.16m | 5:55AM4.19m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:15PM2.33m | 11:01AM2.17m | 11:47PM2.18m | 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 | ||||||||
— | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | |
— | 9:22 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:07 | |
mm | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 16 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | W 9 | NNW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 10 | S 6 | NNW 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | WSW 11 | W 7 | SE 7 | N 11 | N 10 |
1 | 612 | 20 | 1085 | 463 | 26 | 14 | 24 | 963 | 1 | 374 | 181 | 86 | 28 | 17 | 40 | 21 | 8 | 20 | 31 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | SE 6 | N 8 | N 9 | — | — | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | ESE 5 | N 8 | WSW 10 | N 8 | ESE 7 | SE 6 |
2 | 2 | 2 | 29 | 28 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 40 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 18 | 31 | 6 | 5 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 11 | — | — | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 12 | ESE 5 | N 7 | W 12 | — | — |
— | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 9 | 11 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | SSE 6 | W 9 | SSE 6 | — | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 7 | W 8 | NNW 9 | — | — | SE 3 | SE 4 | S 3 | — | — | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 |
529 | 3 | 670 | 3 | — | 786 | 1033 | 679 | 234 | 903 | — | — | 2 | 16 | 2 | — | — | 78 | 200 | 246 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 349 | 1 | 347 | 2 | 5 | 170 | 170 | 429 | 215 | 192 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 180 | 596 |
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.











