Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, WNW swell with 10,509 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period with NNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Thurso Reef this week:
The surf forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Reef in the next 16 days are 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me tell you how it’s shaping up at Thurso Reef.
We’ve got a bit of a rough start, but hold onto your board, because this 16-day window has some serious power heading our way. The first few days are a write-off for quality surfing – messy cross-shore winds and wonky conditions don’t make for a good time. You’ll want to sit tight until Wednesday afternoon on the 16th of September. That’s when the first glimmer of decent surf arrives, with a 6ft groundswell from the NNW and light, clean cross-offshore breeze. It’s a start, but nothing to write home about.
The real story kicks off Friday the 18th of September. Even though the swell is massive – we’re talking a 15ft WNW groundswell with a very long period of 13 seconds – it’s just too big for this spot. The energy is enormous (6538) but it’s an expert-only affair, and even then, it’s right on the edge of what’s manageable. Conditions are clean, but the sheer size is intimidating.
That giant pulse settles down a touch over the weekend and into early the following week, but the swell stays solid and clean. Monday the 21st of September offers a much friendlier 7ft to 8ft W to WNW swell with moderating winds, making for good, clean waves. The water temp is about average for this time of year.
For the standout window, I’d look at Tuesday the 29th of September. That morning is glassy – dead flat, not a breath of wind – with a clean 4ft W groundswell with a long, juicy 12-second period. The energy is moderate (537) but the quality is going to be silky smooth. This is the best on offer for the average surfer: clean, manageable, and well-shaped for the reef. Crowds are possible here though, so get out early.
The real monster sessions in the second week – like Wednesday the 23rd and Friday the 25th of September – are back to being too big, with 15ft to 12ft swells and extreme energy readings (4314 to 4816). Those are the ones for the big-wave chargers only; for everyone else, that’s a pass.
In the very last days of the run, the swell drops right off, going flat and messy by the 28th, but then bounces back nicely on the 29th and 30th.
Overall, there’s a whole lot of power here, but you have to pick your moments. The 21st of September and the 29th of September are your best bets for a fun, clean session without getting pounded into the reef.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon night, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Mon night, strong winds from the WSW by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Fri afternoon, strong winds from the W by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | W 11 | W 10 | NW 6 | NW 8 | NNW 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | WNW 15 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | W 11 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 220 | 192 | 255 | 389 | 471 | 225 | 828 | 2508 | 10048 | 6538 | 3790 | 1396 | 1639 | 1633 | 3169 | 7074 | 5802 | 2691 | 1361 | 1625 | 884 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 11:47AM4.64m | 11:58PM4.71m | 12:19PM4.44m | 00:35AM4.38m | 12:56PM4.22m | 1:21AM4.04m | 1:43PM4.00m | 2:27AM3.75m | 2:54PM3.82m | 4:08AM3.61m | 4:32PM3.79m | 5:51AM3.71m | 5:57PM3.94m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:39AM1.36m | 5:50PM1.64m | 6:12AM1.69m | 6:27PM1.89m | 6:47AM2.04m | 7:09PM2.16m | 7:27AM2.38m | 8:04PM2.43m | 8:25AM2.67m | 9:34PM2.60m | 10:12AM2.82m | 11:27PM2.52m | 11:54AM2.69m | 00:34AM2.26m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:17 | — |
mm | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 16 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 18 | 18 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | N 8 | NNW 9 | W 10 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | WNW 12 | N 10 | N 9 | N 8 | — | — | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | N 10 | W 10 |
| kJ | 220 | 192 | 121 | 260 | 471 | 225 | 46 | 19 | 12 | — | — | 1396 | 8 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 2691 | 1361 | 2 | 884 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | N 10 | SE 6 | W 12 | W 11 | N 8 | NNW 8 | — | — | — | — | N 8 | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 |
| kJ | 96 | 68 | 1 | 336 | 329 | 144 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | SE 6 | — | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | WNW 4 | NW 6 | NW 8 | — | SSE 4 | W 9 | W 10 | WNW 15 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | SSW 4 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | — | SSW 3 | W 11 | S 3 |
| kJ | 14 | 21 | 255 | 389 | — | 25 | 828 | 2508 | 10048 | 6538 | 3790 | 24 | 1639 | 1633 | 3169 | 7074 | 5802 | — | 9 | 1625 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 71 | 1092 | 775 | 290 | 0 | 28 | 413 | 617 | 664 | 423 | 29 | 423 | 815 | 180 | 428 | 413 | 347 | 0 | 26 | 13 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Thurso Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Thurso Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Thurso Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Thurso Reef 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 Reef) 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 Reef 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 Reef, 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, Kirkwall and Lossiemouth.
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