Thurso East Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.61° N 3.50° W

Thurso East Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 30 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso East sea temperature is
13.1° C
0.1° 

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 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 3 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, N swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, NNW swell with 784 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period with N 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Thurso East in the next 16 days are 1.9m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Mon 3rd Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 3rd Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s
Most Powerful 1AM (Mon 3rd Aug)6ft (1.9m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Right then, let’s have a look what’s shaping up for Thurso East. I’ve got to be straight with you – this isn’t one of those weeks where you’re checking the cams every five minutes. The next few days are a write-off. We’re looking at a run of poor conditions, with messy winds and tiny, weak energy. Thursday the 30th kicks off with a cross-shore breeze and a puny 3ft swell from the NNW, but it’s just not happening. That carries on right through the weekend and into the start of next week. There’s a solid gap of nothing worth paddling out for.

Come Monday the 3rd of August, things finally start to flicker. We get a pulse of 5ft from the north with a bit more push – combined energy sitting at 542 (moderate) – but the wind is cross-on, so it’s not clean. Still, it’s the first hint of life. Tuesday the 4th is a bit smaller, dropping to 3ft from the north, but the wind swings to a light cross-off, and the wave comment says clean. It’s only surfable, ordinary stuff, but at least it’s not chopped up.

Now, if you’ve got some patience and a big quiver, the standout window shows up further out. Around Thursday the 13th into Friday the 14th of August, the swell really stacks up. Thursday afternoon sees 8ft from the WNW with a period of 9 seconds and combined energy hitting 828 (strong). Friday morning pushes even bigger – 8ft from the WNW, period 10 seconds, and energy of 1193 (very strong). That’s proper groundswell, and for a point break like Thurso East, that’s the kind of juice that lines up beautifully. But here’s the kicker: the wind is onshore during that whole stretch, so the surface is going to be messy. For most of us, that’s a tough paddle and a bumpy ride. Honestly, for a setup like this with strong wind and a beach-and-reef element, it might be more interesting for the kite crew than paddle surfing.

Still, the water temp is sitting around 56°, which is normal for the time of year – no surprises there. And if you’re an expert and you don’t mind a bit of chop, that solid north-northwest groundswell on the 14th has serious power. It’s just not going to be the clean, glassy session we all dream about.

So, bottom line: the first week is a near-total blank. The second week offers size but with compromised conditions. Keep an eye on the forecast – it can always shift.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Thu afternoon, light winds from the WNW by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
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
NNW
8
0.8
NNW
8
1.4
WNW
5
1.6
WNW
6
1.4
WNW
6
1.4
WNW
6
1.1
WNW
6
1
NNW
8
1
NNW
8
1.1
WNW
8
1.2
NNW
9
1.9
NNW
10
1.6
N
10
1.3
N
9
1.1
N
9
0.9
N
8
0.8
N
8
0.8
N
8
0.6
N
8
0.6
N
7
0.5
N
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
102
75
102
188
139
144
94
144
144
159
222
784
509
293
190
108
86
80
41
40
26
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
30
W
25
WSW
25
WSW
25
WNW
25
WSW
20
WSW
25
WNW
20
W
20
WNW
20
WNW
5
WSW
10
N
15
NE
5
E
15
E
15
E
15
E
15
ESE
20
E
15
ESE
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
on
on
cross
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
10:12AM4.53m
10:14PM4.89m
10:43AM4.59m
10:44PM4.94m
11:14AM4.61m
11:15PM4.95m
11:46AM4.59m
11:48PM4.91m
12:20PM4.52m
00:23AM4.81m
12:59PM4.42m
1:04AM4.67m
1:46PM4.29m
1:55AM4.48m
Low Tide
4:04PM1.69m
4:30AM1.35m
4:37PM1.63m
5:03AM1.31m
5:10PM1.63m
5:36AM1.32m
5:43PM1.68m
6:12AM1.38m
6:19PM1.78m
6:50AM1.50m
6:59PM1.93m
7:34AM1.68m
7:47PM2.10m
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:58
5:00
5:01
5:03
5:05
5:07
5:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:40
9:38
9:36
9:34
9:31
9:29
9:27
 mm
4
1
1
Temp °C
15
13
11
14
14
12
15
13
12
13
13
12
13
13
11
12
12
11
13
13
12
Feels °C
12
8
6
8
9
8
9
8
10
8
8
10
10
10
9
9
9
8
10
9
9
  • 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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