Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, WNW swell with 1,678 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period with W 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Reef in the next 16 days are 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's talk about Thurso Reef.
Right now, the outlook is pretty flat. For the next few days, it’s going to be quiet with tiny, weak swell. We’re looking at a lot of poor conditions through the end of August and the start of September. There will be a gap of several days with nothing really worth paddling out for. The wind is going to be messy, and the swell is just too small to get excited about. The water temp here is sitting at 57°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, no big anomalies.
Then, things get interesting around the 1st of September. Tuesday afternoon, we’ve got a big, solid 12 ft swell from the west-northwest rolling in. This is a serious amount of water; the combined energy is massive (1678). But here's the catch – that's too big for this break. It's a reef setup, and that's expert-only territory. The wind will be a strong cross-off, so it’ll be clean, but you have to be a top-level surfer to even think about it. The swell direction (WNW) is a bit north of the optimum for this spot (NW), so the shape might be a little tricky.
Friday the 4th of September is another massive one. We’ve got a 10 ft swell from the west with a very long 15-second period. The combined energy is through the roof (3326). This is a true groundswell. With that long period, it’s going to be hollow and powerful, but it can make beach breaks close out. On a reef like Thurso, it will likely be big and barreling, but again, only for experts. The wind is a clean cross-off, so the face will be smooth. It’s the standout window, but it’s a serious one.
The 5th and 6th of September still have a solid 8 ft swell, but the quality drops off. It’s still big, but the conditions get a bit more marginal. Not the cleanest.
Later on, the 8th of September morning offers a drop to a much more manageable 5 ft from the north-northwest, with a gentle cross-off breeze. That’s a much friendlier size for intermediate surfers, and the combined energy is moderate (438). The swell direction (NNW) is closer to the optimum (NW), so the waves should have some good shape here. That's your best bet if you don’t want to get smashed.
So, to wrap it up: the first week is a washout. The real action is on the 1st of September (just for experts) and the 4th of September (also for experts). The most user-friendly swell hits on the morning of the 8th of September. Keep an eye on that one.
Stay stoked.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the W by Tue afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 8 | W 8 | N 4 | N 6 | NNW 6 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | WSW 10 | N 8 | WNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 11 | N 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 57 | 35 | 11 | 38 | 80 | 55 | 52 | 111 | 79 | 77 | 47 | 23 | 27 | 294 | 20 | 1678 | 593 | 196 | 123 | 221 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:16PM4.89m | 9:44AM4.72m | 9:46PM5.03m | 10:13AM4.81m | 10:16PM5.11m | 10:42AM4.84m | 10:47PM5.13m | 11:13AM4.82m | 11:19PM5.06m | 11:47AM4.72m | 11:55PM4.92m | 12:25PM4.57m | 00:38AM4.69m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:31AM1.30m | 3:40PM1.52m | 4:03AM1.17m | 4:11PM1.43m | 4:35AM1.10m | 4:44PM1.40m | 5:08AM1.12m | 5:17PM1.45m | 5:43AM1.23m | 5:54PM1.57m | 6:21AM1.42m | 6:34PM1.76m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:12 | — |
mm | — | — | 3 | 6 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 18 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 15 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 8 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 9 | E 8 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 8 | — | W 9 | NNW 8 | N 7 | N 10 |
| kJ | 57 | 35 | 15 | 27 | 110 | 47 | 52 | 111 | 79 | 77 | 47 | 23 | 27 | 17 | 20 | — | 159 | 196 | 109 | 221 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 6 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | — | N 6 | E 6 | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | N 8 | — | — | N 13 | W 8 | NNW 11 | W 7 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 11 | 10 | 4 | — | 29 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 6 | — | — | 4 | 84 | 123 | 17 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 6 | — | — | — | E 7 | W 10 | E 5 | W 13 | W 8 | ESE 4 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | N 11 | W 8 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 17 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 21 | — | — | — | — | 65 | 43 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | ESE 6 | ENE 3 | N 4 | N 6 | NNW 6 | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | SSW 2 | W 5 | WSW 10 | W 6 | WNW 9 | NNW 8 | — | — | SE 4 |
| kJ | 11 | 14 | 3 | 38 | 80 | 55 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 7 | 294 | 224 | 1678 | 593 | — | — | 17 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 41 | 209 | 209 | 209 | 218 | 165 | 73 | 73 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 617 | 646 | 449 | 291 | 71 | 1 |
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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