Surf Forecasts:
Thurso East surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, WNW swell with 1,080 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 2s is also forecast. 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso East over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a long look at Thurso East, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Let’s get into it.
Thurso East is a world-class point break that fires on a good NW groundswell, but for the first week and a half, the wind is going to be a real problem. The water is sitting at 55°, which is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
Right now, on Monday the 20th, we’ve got a weak 4ft swell from the WNW with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is only 222, so it’s weak. But the wind is onshore and messy, so it’s not worth paddling out. That same pattern holds through the week. The swell builds, but the wind is mainly cross-onshore or onshore, creating lumpy, messy conditions. By Tuesday the 21st, the swell is up to 6ft, then 7ft, but the wind is whipping at 25 mph, making it a total mess. The combined energy climbs to 562, but it’s all for nothing.
This continues right through until the 28th of July. The swell gets hefty, topping out at 8ft on the 28th morning with a combined energy of 1176, but the wind is still hammering it. It’s one of those weeks where the setup is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, because the wind is so strong and cross-onshore.
Now, the light at the end of the tunnel. Friday the 31st of July is the first real chance of a wave. The wind finally swings offshore from the ESE, clean. The swell drops to 3ft from the NNW, period 7 seconds. The combined energy is only 170, so it’s small and weak, but it’s clean. The morning sees moderate offshore breeze, and the afternoon is similar. It’s a marginal day, but it’s the first surfable day we’ve seen.
Saturday the 1st of August is the standout. The wind is light, cross-off, from the SSE in the morning, and the swell is 3ft from the NNW. The combined energy is low at 121, but the conditions are clean. The afternoon sees a light breeze from the east, with the swell up to 4ft. It’s not big, but it’s the best on offer. The conditions are clean and the break is a point, so it will handle the small swell well. Expect crowds, as it’s a popular spot when it’s clean.
After that, it drops off again. Sunday the 2nd of August has a tiny 2ft swell from the W, period 9 seconds, with offshore wind, but it’s just too small. Into Monday the 3rd, it’s flat.
So, the best bet is Saturday the 1st of August. It’s not going to be a classic, but it’s the only window where the wind and swell align for a clean, small session at Thurso East. The long-range forecast suggests a bit more energy on the 4th, but the wind is iffy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Fri afternoon, light winds from the W by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 183 | 188 | 178 | 233 | 557 | 589 | 330 | 287 | 215 | 222 | 352 | 509 | 826 | 940 | 980 | 1080 | 822 | 482 | 342 | 245 | 207 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 6:29AM3.92m | 7:01PM4.14m | 7:34AM4.01m | 7:51PM4.32m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:46PM2.31m | 1:24AM2.19m | 1:36PM2.21m | 2:10AM1.96m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 4:37 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | 4:45 | — | — | 4:47 | — | — | 4:48 | — | — |
 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:59 | — | — | 9:57 | — | — | 9:54 | — | — | 9:53 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:49 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | WNW 8 | W 10 | N 8 | N 8 | — | W 9 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | — | N 7 | — | — | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 |
| kJ | 37 | 188 | 71 | 12 | 5 | — | 7 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | 1080 | 822 | 482 | 342 | 235 | 207 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | W 10 | N 9 | — | — | — | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 7 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 |
| kJ | 2 | 33 | 6 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 72 | 300 | 245 | 138 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | N 6 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 |
| kJ | 183 | — | 178 | 233 | 557 | 589 | 330 | 287 | 215 | 222 | 352 | 509 | 826 | 940 | 980 | — | — | — | — | — | 25 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 262 | 592 | 359 | 833 | 954 | 413 | 328 | 450 | 44 | 418 | 754 | 414 | 754 | 673 | 25 | 20 | 192 | 95 | 26 | 72 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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