Thurso East Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s brewing for Thurso East. It’s a bit of a stop-start outlook this one, with plenty of flat and messy spells to wade through. The water temp here is sitting at 54°F which is pretty much average for this time of year, so nothing strange there.

The first real window of opportunity doesn't kick off until Saturday afternoon, the 11th of July. We’ve got a 4ft swell from the west with a 9-second period and the wind is coming out of the ENE as a crisp cross-offshore. That’ll keep things clean. The combined energy is moderate (204) – not a monster, but enough for a solid session. It’s a point break that’s exposed to the west, and the optimum swell direction is from the NNW, so this west swell isn’t perfect, but the clean conditions on a fairly consistent wave like Thurso East make it worth the paddle. Crowds can be around sometimes, but with the size, it won’t be a zoo.

Sunday morning the 12th is smaller at 2ft and cross-off again, with the east wind keeping it tidy. The wave energy is pretty weak (66) though, so it’s more of a longboard or funboard sesh.

Then we hit a lull. From Sunday afternoon right through to Monday the 13th and into the middle of the week, it’s all small, week-kneed swells or onshore junk. Not worth paddling out for.

A glimmer pops up on Tuesday morning the 14th – a clean 4ft swell from the WNW with an 11-second period, giving it a bit of groundswell punch (328 energy). The east cross-off wind keeps it tidy. It’s a promising morning, but early.

Things go quiet again until Sunday the 19th, but that comes with a 5ft swell and a howling NW onshore (12 mph). Poor conditions. The following days see the swell building but the wind is a mess – you’re looking at cross-on and onshore winds all the way through to Wednesday the 23rd.

The one that could be special – if the forecast holds – is Thursday the 23rd afternoon. That’s over a week away. We’ve got a chunky 8ft swell from the WNW with a very long 13-second period. The combined wave energy is through the roof (1860). But – and it’s a big but – the wind is a strong cross-onshore from the west at 25 mph, making it look lumpy and messy. That size and period on a point break like Thurso East would be incredible if it cleaned up, but with that wind, it’s a kite-surfing show, not a paddle-surfing one. Expert-only territory if you even try.

The real standout of the outlook comes on Friday the 24th afternoon. The swell drops to a still substantial 6ft from the WNW with an 11-second period (736 energy), the wind swings east at 9 mph and goes cross-offshore. That is clean, powerful, and has shape. This is the one to pin your hopes on. Expect very good surf conditions. It’s still a fair way out, so treat it as promising but not locked in.

So, if you're a local, mark your calendar for the afternoon of the 24th. Before that, Saturday afternoon the 11th and Tuesday morning the 14th are your best bets for clean waves that won't beat you up.

Rusty.

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