Reef right · Scotland · Advanced → Charger
Forecast for Tuesday 1 September
Advanced : Nothing to surf today. Rest those arms.
Today's score by level (at the day's best, out of 100)
The legendary reef break on Scotland's north coast, in Thurso harbour. An ultra-regular right peeling over a rocky bottom, with hollow, fast and sometimes tubular sections. WSL stop in the 2010s. Water temperature is Arctic.
Autumn and winter give the best swells but water is cold. Summer = smaller waves, max crowd.
For experts only. Powerful waves, strong currents or technical bottom. Ask locally first.
Direct access from the beach, but mind the rocky bottom. Wetsuit + booties recommended, do not surf at low tide.
Wear an appropriate wetsuit. Scout the currents before you paddle out. Respect the locals and right-of-way. Check weather and tides.
Thurso East usually works best around mid-tide. The tide shapes the sandbanks and the depth over the reef, so check the day's tide times before your session.
Thurso East is rather recommended for advanced surfers. If you're a beginner, prefer a surf school, a small swell and a suitable tide, or look for a more sheltered nearby spot.
The ideal wind at Thurso East comes broadly from South: it's offshore, which helps shape and hold the waves. A strong onshore wind generally degrades conditions.
Around Thurso East, you can also check conditions at Pease Bay, Bundoran, Mullaghmore. Compare the scores, wind and swell direction before choosing where to surf.