Thurso

Thurso, Caithness

---

---

Thurso is a truly world-class wave when it’s on form, fast and barrelling.

Thurso East is a famous northwest-facing right reefbreak situated a mile east of the town, opposite the castle. Excellent tubing wave when it’s on — more west in the swell gives barrels, more east walls. Holds waves up to 15 feet. Generally best from low- to mid-tide, but also good towards high tide when it’s big. Fast heavy waves breaking over shallow rocks, for experts only. The brown colour of the water is due to peat particles washed down the river, not pollution. Works best from low to mid-tide. Beautiful Caithness slab reef makes for a perfect sectioning wave.

Lots of kelp in the spring and summer can make for a soft landing if you get nailed, while long dark nights can make it a fickle beast to catch in the winter months. Even up here there can be crowd problems when everyone knows it's going to be amazing, so be respectful.

Don’t forget the multitude of solid beachbreak out west; there are numerous other nooks and crannies to check when the swell gets big. Full winter suit, boots and gloves are necessary with a 4/3 option in the summer (when it’s mostly flat!) If you’re seriously into the idea, a big wave gun may let you catch a few monsters.

---

Local Photo's

These photographs were uploaded by users of the Carve Photo Gallery. If you've got some great surf photo's you'd like to see on The Surf Directory and the Carve website, register to use the Carve Photo Gallery.

To see more photo's from Thurso, visit the Carve Photo Gallery.

---

Surf Information

Break type: Reef
Offshore wind direction: Southerly
Swell direction: Northerly
Wave direction: Lefts and rights
Ability: Advanced
Water quality: Good
Lifeguard service: No
National Trust: No

---

Tips

The rivermouth provides an easy paddle-out.

---

Hazards

• Rocks.
• Cold river water.

---

Facilities

• Pubs.
• Shops along the High Street.

Local surf forcast for Thurso

Webcams viewing Thurso

www.tugmistress.co.uk/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=44

Google map location for Thurso

Facilities at "Beach name", "Town", "County"