Thurso East
Thurso East is Scotland's crown jewel--a world-class right-hand reef that has hosted international competition and draws dedicated cold-water chargers from across the globe. When North Atlantic storms send clean groundswell to Scotland's north coast, this flat rock shelf transforms into mechanical walls and barrels that rival anything in Europe.
Thurso East surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (325°)
- Direction range
- 300° - 360°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 4.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.7m - 3.7m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Offshore range
- 135° - 225°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
10°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
5/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Thurso East?
Thurso East is a reef break in Caithness, UK, that mostly breaks right. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Thurso East?
The reef is made of Caithness flagstone, the same stone that paves the Strand and much of Paris, and it is overlooked by the remains of Thurso Castle. It hosted the first O'Neill Highland Open in 2006, won by British surfer Russell Winter.
What swell works best at Thurso East?
Thurso East picks up swell from the WNW round to the N, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NW. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 4.5m, with the sweet spot around 2.7 to 3.7m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Thurso East?
A S wind is dead offshore at Thurso East, and anything from the SE round to the SW keeps it clean. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Thurso East?
Thurso East is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Thurso East?
The most reliable run of swell at Thurso East comes Sep to Mar. There's a second window in Apr to May and Aug too. Best Sept-March with large North Atlantic swells.
How cold is the water at Thurso East?
The water at Thurso East averages around 10°C, so you'll want a 5/4mm with boots. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Thurso East good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Heavy reef break. Very cold water (7-12C). Crowds when classic. Booties essential year-round.
How do I get to Thurso East?
The nearest airport on our list is INV, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near Thurso East?
The closest breaks we track are Bagpipes (1.2 km), Murkle (2.8 km) and Brimms Ness Bowl (8.5 km), handy when Thurso East isn't working. We track 8 spots around Caithness in total.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, May, Aug
Best Sept-March with large North Atlantic swells
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Bagpipes
Remote Scottish slab - Almost un-surfed - Maximum consequence
Murkle
Caithness left slab - Backdoor barrels - Expert territory
Brimms Ness Bowl
Heavy Scottish slab - Remote Caithness coast - Freezing barrels
Brimms Ness Point
Caithness left reef - Cliff access - Remote and empty
Dunnet Bay
Caithness' friendly beach - Beginner to intermediate - Near Thurso
Sandside Bay
Quality left by harbour - Nuclear neighbour - Unique risk assessment
Plan a trip around Thurso East
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