Surf Forecasts:
Thurso East surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, WNW swell with 829 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Thurso East this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso East in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso East over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break down what’s coming. Thurso East is the spot, and for the first week and a half, it’s a rough go. We’re looking at poor surf conditions straight through to the 27th of July. There’s swell, but the wind is a mess—onshore, cross-onshore, and fresh breezes chopping up the waves. The combined swell energy is moderate, like 143 to 194 in that first stretch, but it’s not clean. Water temp is about 55°, which is normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The one to really get excited about is the afternoon of Tuesday the 28th of July. The wind swings light offshore from the southeast at just 6 mph, and the swell is a clean 4 ft from the WNW with a 10-second period. That’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy is moderate at 370, and the conditions are clean. That’s the best window in the whole 16 days. It’s a point break, so that longer period will work well. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, so expect a few others, but it’s worth it.
The morning of the 29th is a letdown with light rain and cross-onshore wind, but the afternoon goes glassy. The swell drops to 3 ft from the west with a 9-second period, combined energy at 112. Surfable, but nothing special. After that, it’s back to poor conditions. So, for the full 16 days, the 28th afternoon is the only real call.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the NW by Fri night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the W by Tue night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 10 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 32 | 214 | 125 | 108 | 84 | 140 | 84 | 79 | 59 | 66 | 49 | 123 | 86 | 73 | 125 | 166 | 383 | 403 | 210 | 117 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:59PM5.25m | 11:45AM4.85m | 11:44PM5.19m | 12:31PM4.70m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:47PM1.44m | 5:20AM0.88m | 5:31PM1.54m | 6:05AM1.00m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 4:31 | — | — | 4:33 | — | — | 4:35 | — | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — |
 | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:06 | — | — | 10:05 | — | — | 10:02 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:59 | — | — | 9:57 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 15 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NE 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | N 6 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 10 | N 8 | N 8 | WNW 9 | N 7 | N 6 |
| kJ | 24 | 214 | 125 | 108 | 84 | 2 | 84 | 79 | 16 | 27 | 43 | 123 | 86 | 68 | 47 | 11 | 1 | 28 | 44 | 19 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 13 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | N 6 | W 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | N 8 | — | — | — | W 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | 32 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 17 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 59 | 51 | 73 | 21 | — | — | — | 40 | 24 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 6 | — | N 7 | W 14 | W 9 | W 9 | N 6 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 6 | NW 8 | N 5 | N 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | — | — | — | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 10 | 14 | 65 | 140 | 16 | 15 | 59 | 66 | 49 | — | — | — | 125 | 166 | 383 | 403 | 210 | 117 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 74 | 95 | 2464 | 72 | 95 | 74 | 2 | 72 | 24 | 160 | 72 | 72 | 306 | 359 | 170 | 314 | 458 | 192 | 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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