Surf Forecasts:
Thurso East surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, N swell with 263 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s. 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 1.7m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 9s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
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 offer for Thurso East over the next couple of weeks.
Straight up, I’ll be honest with you – this outlook is a tough one. The whole 16-day window is a real battle between trying to find a clean wave and dealing with the wind. For the most part, it’s a waiting game, with very few windows that are genuinely worth getting excited about.
The water temperature at Thurso East is sitting at 57°F, which is pretty much bang on average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
Right, let’s get into it. The first real glimmer of hope comes on Monday, the 31st of August. The morning session sees a small 3ft swell from the north, with a period of 7 seconds, and a light offshore breeze from the southeast. The combined energy is weak (103), so it’s not going to be a world-beater, but it’s rideable and clean. The afternoon, however, is the pick of the whole period. We get a glassy, dead-calm setup with only a 2ft north swell and an 8-second period, but that glassy wind means the surface will be like a mirror. The combined energy is low (68), but for a clean, small-wave session, you could do a lot worse. Keep expectations low on size, but the quality could be there.
After that, it’s back to the grind. A lot of onshore wind and messy conditions dominate the first week of September. There’s a solid pulse of swell on the 4th of September – a 7ft west swell with an 11-second period, and the combined energy is strong (1135). The problem is a moderate cross-onshore wind making it choppy and lumpy. This is expert-only territory in these conditions, and honestly, it looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The following week offers a few more marginal windows. The 5th and 6th of September see some clean conditions with cross-offshore winds, but the swell is middling, around 3ft to 5ft from the west. The combined energy is moderate (342 to 318), and the forecast says "marginal surf." It's worth a look if you're keen, but don't expect a classic.
By the 8th of September, there’s a glimmer with a 5ft swell from the west-northwest, 8-second period, and a clean cross-offshore breeze. The energy is moderate (361), and it could be a fun session if the tide works out.
But overall, the standout moment is that glassy Monday afternoon on the 31st of August. It’s the cleanest we’ll see. Everything else is a mix of onshore wind, lumpy conditions, or marginal swell. Long-range, the 9th of September kicks up a big 8ft swell from the north-northwest, but with a fresh cross-onshore wind, it’s another day for experts only, and the chop will be a factor.
So, keep your eyes peeled for that Monday afternoon glass-off. It’s the best of a tough bunch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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) | W 8 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | N 4 | N 6 | WNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | N 8 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
12 | 22 | 67 | 57 | 35 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 27 | 64 | 85 | 256 | 199 | 138 | 88 | 54 | 41 | 141 | 263 | 143 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | off | glassy | cross-off | on | on | on |
High Tide | 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 | 11:13AM4.82m | 11:19PM5.06m | 11:47AM4.72m | 11:55PM4.92m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:59AM1.48m | 3:08PM1.68m | 3:31AM1.30m | 3:40PM1.52m | 4:03AM1.17m | 4:11PM1.43m | 4:35AM1.10m | 4:44PM1.40m | 5:08AM1.12m | 5:17PM1.45m | 5:43AM1.23m | 5:54PM1.57m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
8:31 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | 3 | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | WNW 6 | E 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | N 8 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 |
11 | 10 | 67 | 57 | 35 | 16 | 86 | 92 | 27 | 16 | 85 | 256 | 199 | 138 | 88 | 54 | 41 | 40 | 23 | 25 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | WNW 11 | N 8 | N 7 | N 6 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | E 7 | N 7 | E 6 | W 9 | W 8 | W 12 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | — | ENE 7 | W 9 |
12 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 28 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 31 | — | 5 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | N 8 | N 6 | N 8 | N 7 | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 11 | W 8 | — | — | SE 6 | W 6 |
1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | — | — | 2 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | SE 3 | SE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 6 | ENE 4 | N 4 | N 6 | N 5 | NNW 7 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 |
9 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 22 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 18 | 64 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 141 | 263 | 143 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 184 | 166 | 0 | 8 | 349 | 160 | 26 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 74 | 74 | 74 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 656 | 215 |
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.











