Thurso East Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.61° N 3.50° W

Thurso East Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso East sea temperature is
13.1° 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 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with 3,063 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 11s period. 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sat 25th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 11s
Best Surf 7PM (Sat 25th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 11s
Most Powerful 1AM (Sat 25th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Thurso East.

We’re looking at a pretty frustrating stretch of weather and surf for the next week or so. The main issue is that the wind is just relentless, blowing onshore or cross-onshore and ruining what would otherwise be some decent-sized swell. The water temp is sitting at 56°, which is about average for the time of year, so no nasty surprises there.

The first real chance of anything worthwhile doesn’t come until late in the forecast. The whole period from now through the end of July is plagued by poor conditions. Wind is consistently from the WNW or NW, blowing right onto the point, making for lumpy, chopped-out, and generally unsurfable waves. There’s a pulse of energy on the 24th of July where the swell jumps to 12 ft, but with a near gale cross-onshore wind, that’s a total mess – only for the truly hardcore or the kitesurfers.

The real standout, the one to keep an eye on, is the morning of the 29th of July. We get a clean, cross-offshore wind from the SSW, which is exactly what this place needs. The swell is a solid 5 ft from the WNW, with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate (384). It’s not the biggest, but the wind is right, and the waves will be clean. That’s your window. The afternoon keeps the same size but the wind picks up, so hit it early.

Then, right at the very end of the run, we’ve got another interesting one. On the 1st of August, Saturday afternoon, the wind goes glassy. The swell is 5 ft from the WNW, period 10 seconds, and the energy is moderate (356). That’s a rare moment of pure, clean conditions. It’s surfable, but you’ll want to be on it, because it doesn’t last.

So, the pick of the bunch is the 29th of July morning for the cleanest conditions, and the 1st of August afternoon for a chance at glassy, rideable waves. Everything else in between is a write-off with the wind.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sat night, strong winds from the WNW by Tue morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Wed night, near gales from the WSW by Thu night).

Sat
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
1.3
NW
7
1
WNW
7
0.9
WNW
7
0.4
WNW
12
1
WNW
5
1.3
WNW
8
1.3
WNW
8
1.3
WNW
8
1.7
WNW
6
2
WNW
7
2.1
WNW
7
1.7
NW
8
1.4
NW
8
1.1
WNW
8
1.4
WNW
8
1.9
W
6
2.5
WNW
7
3.5
WNW
9
3.5
WNW
10
4
WNW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
189
101
84
49
44
202
197
178
204
342
431
364
261
138
232
307
657
1704
2124
3063
Wind (km/h)
30
NNW
20
NW
20
WNW
30
WNW
20
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
35
WNW
40
WNW
40
WNW
25
NW
20
NW
20
WNW
20
WSW
35
W
35
WSW
50
WSW
40
W
40
W
Wind State
on
on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
00:29AM5.05m
1:16PM4.50m
1:14AM4.84m
2:04PM4.29m
2:03AM4.58m
2:54PM4.11m
2:57AM4.31m
3:51PM3.98m
4:00AM4.08m
4:54PM3.95m
5:13AM3.94m
6:01PM4.00m
Low Tide
6:14PM1.70m
6:51AM1.22m
6:58PM1.91m
7:38AM1.51m
7:46PM2.13m
8:29AM1.81m
8:40PM2.34m
9:27AM2.09m
9:49PM2.49m
10:35AM2.28m
11:12PM2.51m
11:45AM2.35m
00:26AM2.39m
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:35
4:37
4:39
4:41
4:43
4:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:05
10:02
10:00
9:59
9:57
9:54
9:53
 mm
1
Temp °C
12
11
13
14
12
12
13
12
12
13
13
13
13
12
18
16
15
15
15
13
Feels °C
6
7
8
9
8
8
9
7
5
5
6
10
10
8
13
10
6
6
8
5
  • 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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