Thurso East Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.61° N 3.50° W

Thurso East Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 24 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso East sea temperature is
13.5°C
0.3° 

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 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, W swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, NW swell with 2,784 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Thurso East in the next 16 days are 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Tue 25th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 10s
Best Surf 4AM (Tue 25th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 10s
Most Powerful10PM (Sat 29th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what we’ve got for Thurso East over the next couple of weeks.

Right now, it’s a waiting game. The surf is slow off the mark, but there’s a real gem waiting for us. The first proper session I’d paddle out for kicks off Monday afternoon, the 24th of August. We’ve got a clean, moderate offshore wind out of the SE, grooming a 6ft swell from the WNW. The period’s a solid 11 seconds, pushing moderate wave energy (685) right into this exposed point. Water temp is sitting at 56°, which is bang on average for this time of year—no surprises there, just your standard North Sea chill. This is the standout of the whole run, and it's happening soon.

Tuesday the 25th starts with a fresh offshore wind, but the swell drops off to 4ft and the energy fades. By Tuesday afternoon, it’s small and weak. From Wednesday the 26th right through to Saturday the 29th morning, there’s a poor run of small, weak swell and choppy wind. Nothing to get excited about.

Then Saturday the 29th gets messy. A big onshore wind kicks up from the NW, and while the swell builds to 13ft with strong energy (2188), the wind is straight on it, making it a real mess. Sunday the 30th sees a big drop in size but still heaps of energy in the water—10ft and 1547—though the wind is cross-shore, so it’s lumpy. This might be more of a kite session than a paddle session, to be honest.

Another quiet stretch takes us through the end of August and into the start of September, with only small, clean but marginal waves on offer. Then, look here—Thursday morning, the 3rd of September, brings a real treat. A 5ft groundswell from the N with an 11-second period, clean conditions, and moderate energy (612). That's a solid, workable wave for those who know the lineup.

Friday and Saturday the 4th and 5th are blown out or too big with onshore winds, so we skip them.

Sunday the 6th of September has a 10ft swell from the NNW, but it’s still onshore and messy in the morning. However, Sunday afternoon the wind goes light and variable from the NNE, with a 8ft swell and plenty of energy (1249). It’s cross-shore and a bit wobbly, but if the tide plays ball, there could be sneaky clean sets.

Now, the big one for the crew who can handle it: Monday the 7th of September. A 5ft to 4ft northerly groundswell with an 11-second period, and clean offshores all day from the ESE and SE. Moderate energy (573) and clean lines. That’s another proper session.

But hold on—Tuesday the 8th of September. Holy mackerel. The swell goes nuclear: 25ft from the NW in the morning, with an astronomical energy reading of 16694. The period is 12 seconds, and the wind is cross-onshore from the N. This is a monster. The comment says it might be too big even for this break, and I’d believe it. Only the absolute top-tier experts would even think about it. That afternoon it drops to 16ft, still huge.

So, the best bets: Monday the 24th of August afternoon is the clear winner for manageable, clean, fun waves. Thursday the 3rd of September morning is the long-range stand-out—keep an eye on the forecasts, but it looks beautiful on paper. Everything else is either too small, too messy, or too big for a casual paddle.

Stay safe, and keep your head on a swivel.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Thu afternoon, light winds from the E by Thu night).

Mon
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
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)
1.7
WNW
11
1.5
W
10
1.2
W
10
0.9
W
10
0.6
W
8
0.4
W
8
0.3
WNW
7
0.3
W
11
0.6
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.5
W
8
0.3
W
8
0.3
W
8
0.5
NW
7
2.2
NW
6
4
NW
9
4
NNW
10
3
NNW
9
2.3
NNW
9
1.5
NNW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
685
495
308
149
50
19
11
20
68
57
35
11
10
26
354
2188
2566
1547
851
273
Wind (km/h)
20
SE
20
SE
30
SSE
25
SE
15
SE
25
SE
25
ESE
20
SE
25
ESE
30
SE
15
ESE
10
ENE
20
NNW
30
NW
25
NW
20
NW
15
N
15
NE
20
NE
20
NE
Wind State
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
7:29PM4.24m
8:08AM4.17m
8:10PM4.48m
8:43AM4.38m
8:45PM4.70m
9:14AM4.57m
9:16PM4.89m
9:44AM4.72m
9:46PM5.03m
10:13AM4.81m
10:16PM5.11m
10:42AM4.84m
10:47PM5.13m
Low Tide
1:49AM1.97m
1:59PM2.11m
2:26AM1.71m
2:35PM1.88m
2:59AM1.48m
3:08PM1.68m
3:31AM1.30m
3:40PM1.52m
4:03AM1.17m
4:11PM1.43m
4:35AM1.10m
4:44PM1.40m
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:54
5:56
5:58
6:01
6:03
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:37
8:35
8:31
8:29
8:27
8:23
8:21
 mm
1
1
4
1
Temp °C
17
14
15
14
13
16
16
14
16
16
14
14
13
13
13
13
12
12
12
11
Feels °C
13
10
10
9
10
11
12
11
12
11
11
13
10
8
9
9
9
9
8
7
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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