Thurso East Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.61° N 3.50° W

Thurso East Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 31 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso East sea temperature is
13.9°C
0.9° 

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 31 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, W swell with 5,378 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. 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 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Tue 1st Sep)4ft (1.2m) 6s
Best Surf 4PM (Wed 2nd Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 10s
Most Powerful 7PM (Fri 4th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down Thurso East. This spot is a high-level, expert-only point break that’s fairly consistent, so when the stars align, it’s a proper treat.

Water temp is around 57°, right on the normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

To start, you’re looking at a quiet period. Monday the 31st of August is tiny and glassy, but raining and offering nothing in the way of surf. From there into the start of September, it’s a tough stretch – windy and messy. Tuesday and Wednesday are a write-off. You’ll be waiting.

The first real window opens Wednesday afternoon, the 2nd of September. A 8ft groundswell from the NNW, 10-second period, and it’s glassy with an offshore breeze. Wave energy is strong at 1171. That’s clean, powerful, and for experienced hands only. Not for the beginners – the size is up there.

Next big one lands Saturday the 12th of September. Morning brings a clean 6ft swell from the north, with a long 12-second period and light offshore winds. Wave energy is solid at 916. That’s a beautifully lined-up point break session. Afternoon cleans up even more with a 5ft swell from the NNW, light offshore, and crowds are only "sometimes" – you might see a few others, but it’ll be manageable.

Then, the one to circle on the calendar is Tuesday the 15th of September. We’re looking at a massive 13ft swell from the WNW, 11-second period, offshore breeze, and wave energy hits a whopping 3967. That’s serious, expert-level surf. It’s a long way out, so treat it as a promising possibility, but if it delivers, that’s the best of the whole forecast.

There’s a gap from the 3rd through the 7th where it’s just rough, lumpy, and windblown – a good week to stay home or fix your gear. But when that groundswell arrives mid-month, it’s all systems go.

Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Mon morning, fresh winds from the NW by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WNW on Fri night, light winds from the SSW by Sat night).

Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
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
1
0
0
0
0
4
3
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
3
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)
0.3
W
9
1
W
4
1.2
WNW
6
0.7
W
6
1.9
W
6
1.7
WNW
6
2.5
NNW
10
2.3
NNW
10
1.7
N
10
1.1
N
9
0.9
N
9
1.3
W
7
1.7
W
11
3.5
W
13
4
W
9
3
WNW
11
2.5
WNW
10
1.8
WNW
9
1.3
WNW
8
0.7
NW
8
1.2
W
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
15
30
119
35
291
245
1184
1124
596
207
125
148
673
3612
2413
1847
1245
510
227
69
190
Wind (km/h)
5
SSW
30
WNW
15
SSW
35
S
30
W
30
WNW
25
WNW
5
ENE
20
ESE
25
WSW
20
SW
20
SW
30
SSW
45
WSW
50
WNW
30
WNW
25
W
25
SE
30
SW
25
SW
40
W
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross
cross
cross-on
High Tide
11:13AM4.82m
11:19PM5.06m
11:47AM4.72m
11:55PM4.92m
12:25PM4.57m
00:38AM4.69m
1:11PM4.38m
1:32AM4.40m
2:10PM4.17m
2:47AM4.12m
3:31PM4.04m
4:29AM4.01m
5:06PM4.09m
Low Tide
5:17PM1.45m
5:43AM1.23m
5:54PM1.57m
6:21AM1.42m
6:34PM1.76m
7:04AM1.70m
7:23PM1.99m
7:57AM2.02m
8:29PM2.21m
9:12AM2.31m
10:04PM2.29m
10:53AM2.41m
11:44PM2.10m
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
clear
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
cloud
light rain
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:07
6:11
6:13
6:15
6:16
6:18
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:17
8:15
8:12
8:09
8:07
8:04
8:00
 mm
2
1
1
8
2
1
1
7
1
Temp °C
16
13
13
15
14
11
11
12
14
16
16
13
13
14
12
14
13
14
18
17
15
Feels °C
14
7
9
9
8
3
7
10
11
11
13
9
7
6
1
7
7
8
14
14
8
  • 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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