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 down the Pentland Firth, this flat rock shelf transforms into mechanical walls and barrels that rival anything in Europe.
Today's Conditions
Location & Conditions
Tide Times
Strike Score Breakdown
Location & Conditions
Spot Details
Swell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (325°)
- Direction range
- 300° - 360°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 4.5m
- Ideal size
- 3.7m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Offshore range
- 135° - 225°
- Best window
- both
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
10°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
5/10
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
Thurso Reef
Thurso Bay reef - A-frame alternative - Less intense than East
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