Thurso East Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.61° N 3.50° W

Thurso East Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 11 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso East sea temperature is
13.5°C
0.8° 

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 12 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, WNW swell with 5,113 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s 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 (Sep 12) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 14s. 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) 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 1.0m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sat 12th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 14s
Best Surf 4AM (Sat 12th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 1AM (Fri 18th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Hey, Rusty here. So we’ve got a long 16-day outlook for Thurso East, and it’s a real tale of two forecasts – a lot of waiting with a couple of big, clean windows for the brave.

The first chance to even think about it is on Sunday, September 13th in the afternoon. You’ll see a clean 6ft swell with a light offshore breeze, but the energy is only moderate (875). It’s a marginal call, but at least there’s no choppy wind.

The big talk of the town is Thursday, September 24th. This is the one to circle on your calendar. We’re looking at a massive 21ft west swell with a very long period of 13 seconds. The combined energy is enormous (12368), but the warning is clear – this is predicted to be too big for the break. Only experts need apply. The light cross-offshore wind will have it looking glassy, but it’s a beast. The morning of that day is also interesting, with a 3ft swell but a whopping 17-second period, giving you super clean, long-period groundswell that Thurso East can really handle.

Before that, it’s a rough ride. From Monday 16th through the next weekend, expect a lot of strong onshore winds and messy surf, with swell heights jumping from 5ft to over 13ft. Not worth the effort for most. The most consistent period in the second week is actually poor quality. For example, Friday 19th has 13ft on offer, but with a moderate cross-shore and cross-chop, it’s blown out.

Towards the end, Thursday 25th morning gives you a 10ft WNW groundswell with light offshore winds – a good, cleaner option for the experienced. But then Friday 26th shows a 7ft swell with a strong offshore breeze that’ll be tough to paddle into.

Crowds at Thurso East can show up sometimes, especially on a clean day, but when the swell gets that big, the lineup thins out. Water temp is around 56°F, which is pretty standard for this time of year.

So, keep your powder dry, get ready for that 24th, and don’t waste your energy on the wind-blown days.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sat morning, light winds from the NW by Sun afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the NW by Tue night).

Fri
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
3
1
0
1
0
2
3
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
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
W
8
2
W
10
2.5
WNW
13
3.5
WNW
13
2.5
WNW
12
2
WNW
11
1.8
WNW
10
1.3
WNW
10
1
NNW
12
1.5
W
9
1.1
W
10
2.3
W
7
1.1
W
10
2
WNW
10
1.8
W
11
1.6
W
10
2
W
9
3.5
W
10
4
W
11
4
WNW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
393
851
2377
3700
1747
938
689
313
313
351
242
495
233
747
723
504
685
2317
4447
5113
Wind (km/h)
30
W
15
S
30
SW
40
WNW
15
W
20
W
10
NW
15
SSE
20
S
10
SW
5
SSE
20
W
25
W
30
WNW
25
WNW
20
WSW
30
S
30
WSW
30
WSW
25
W
Wind State
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
High Tide
9:38PM5.31m
10:12AM5.01m
10:14PM5.32m
10:45AM4.94m
10:49PM5.21m
11:16AM4.81m
11:23PM5.00m
11:47AM4.64m
11:58PM4.71m
12:19PM4.44m
00:35AM4.38m
12:56PM4.22m
1:21AM4.04m
Low Tide
3:55AM0.82m
4:05PM1.28m
4:31AM0.90m
4:40PM1.32m
5:06AM1.09m
5:15PM1.44m
5:39AM1.36m
5:50PM1.64m
6:12AM1.69m
6:27PM1.89m
6:47AM2.04m
7:09PM2.16m
clear
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:37
6:39
6:41
6:43
6:46
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:46
7:44
7:40
7:37
7:35
7:31
7:29
 mm
4
2
4
6
1
2
2
4
6
Temp °C
15
13
15
13
12
13
13
14
16
18
15
14
14
12
11
12
11
12
12
12
Feels °C
9
9
9
5
8
9
11
10
14
17
16
10
9
6
6
7
5
5
5
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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