Thurso East Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.61° N 3.50° W

Thurso East Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso East sea temperature is
13.8° C
0.4° 

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 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, WNW swell with 1,121 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period with WNW 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 24) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s. 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 2.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Mon 24th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 9s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 24th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 11s
Most Powerful10AM (Mon 24th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you—it's a pretty grim start. We're looking at a solid run of poor conditions from now through to Sunday, August 23rd. The wind is a mess, mostly cross-onshore or onshore, and the swell is either coming from the wrong angle or just too short period. It's going to be lumpy, choppy, and just not worth paddling out for. The water temperature is sitting at 57°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Then, things finally start to look up. The standout session of the whole forecast is Monday, August 24th. The morning is the pick of the entire period. We've got a solid 7ft groundswell rolling in from the WNW with a long 11-second period, and the wind is light and offshore from the SSE—clean as a whistle. The combined wave energy is a solid 1121, so there's plenty of power in the water. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, but with that size, it's going to be a bit much for beginners. The afternoon is still very good, with 7ft waves and a gentle offshore breeze, but the morning is the real winner.

Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th see the swell drop off, but we still get some clean, offshore winds. The waves are smaller though, below 4ft, and the energy is a lot weaker. It's marginal, but if you're desperate, you could find a clean little wave.

After that, from Thursday the 27th onward, it's back to mostly poor conditions with small, weak swell and messy winds. There's a blip on Wednesday, September 2nd, with an 8ft swell, but it's a 6-second period and the wind is onshore, making it a total write-off. Then on Friday, September 4th, we get a 10ft WNW swell, but again, it's a short period and the wind is onshore, creating a lumpy, choppy mess. That's one for the experts only, if anyone, but it's not looking good.

So, to wrap it up: this is a long wait for a very short window. The only true standout is Monday morning, August 24th at Thurso East. That's your best bet, no question. Get on it if you can.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Mon morning, fresh winds from the SSE by Tue morning).

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
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
3
4
3
3
1
1
2
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
N
7
1.7
N
7
1.6
N
8
1.5
NNW
6
1.3
NNW
6
1.1
NNW
5
0.6
N
8
0.5
N
8
1.1
WNW
6
1.2
WNW
7
1.4
WNW
8
1.8
WNW
9
2.2
WNW
11
2
WNW
11
1.6
W
10
1.1
W
10
0.9
WNW
9
0.8
NNW
11
0.9
NNW
12
1
NNW
12
0.9
NNW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
226
258
316
160
104
64
49
33
82
136
237
586
1121
850
541
240
138
158
246
288
198
Wind (km/h)
30
N
30
N
25
NNW
25
NW
30
NW
20
WNW
25
WNW
30
W
20
W
20
W
25
W
10
SW
5
SSE
15
ESE
15
ESE
35
SSE
35
SE
20
ESE
30
E
35
ESE
25
ESE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
High Tide
2:44PM3.95m
3:10AM3.88m
3:54PM3.84m
4:38AM3.72m
5:18PM3.86m
6:14AM3.76m
6:34PM4.01m
7:22AM3.94m
7:29PM4.24m
8:08AM4.17m
8:10PM4.48m
8:43AM4.38m
8:45PM4.70m
Low Tide
8:51PM2.49m
9:29AM2.54m
10:25PM2.60m
11:03AM2.65m
00:01AM2.49m
12:23PM2.55m
1:05AM2.25m
1:18PM2.35m
1:49AM1.97m
1:59PM2.11m
2:26AM1.71m
2:35PM1.88m
2:59AM1.48m
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:43
5:46
5:48
5:50
5:52
5:54
5:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:49
8:45
8:43
8:39
8:37
8:35
8:31
 mm
2
2
Temp °C
12
12
11
11
12
13
14
14
14
15
16
14
16
17
14
16
15
13
14
14
14
Feels °C
6
6
5
5
6
9
9
9
11
12
11
11
14
14
11
10
9
9
9
9
10
  • 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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