Thurso Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.60° N 3.52° W

Thurso Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 17 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso Reef sea temperature is
13.5°C
1.0° 

Thurso Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Thurso Reef surf forecast from 17 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 14s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 15s period, W swell with 14,085 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 14s period with WNW 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 5.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. 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 6.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 21) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Fri 18th Sep)18ft (5.5m) 14s
Best Surf 4AM (Fri 18th Sep)18ft (5.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 1AM (Fri 18th Sep)20ft (6.0m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri night, min 11°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Fri afternoon, near gales from the W by Sat night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Mon afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sun afternoon, calm by Tue night).

Thu
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
0
!
!
!
0
0
0
0
0
!
4
2
3
2
2
3
3
4
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
4
W
12
6
W
15
4.5
WNW
13
3.5
WNW
12
3
W
12
4
W
9
4
W
11
4.5
W
12
5
WNW
10
4.5
WNW
10
3.5
WNW
12
2.2
WNW
12
1.6
WNW
11
1.5
W
10
1.5
W
10
1.6
W
10
1.6
W
15
2.4
W
14
2.2
W
13
1.9
WNW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
4452
14085
7106
3413
2417
2451
3906
5580
5242
3770
3251
1294
681
495
426
512
1102
2275
1760
1064
Wind (km/h)
35
WSW
50
W
35
WSW
15
S
35
WSW
45
WSW
50
WSW
50
W
50
W
50
W
25
W
15
SE
20
SSE
5
SW
10
SW
10
NW
5
NE
5
ESE
15
W
35
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-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
on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
High Tide
1:21AM4.04m
1:43PM4.00m
2:27AM3.75m
2:54PM3.82m
4:08AM3.61m
4:32PM3.79m
5:51AM3.71m
5:57PM3.94m
6:54AM3.95m
6:54PM4.19m
7:36AM4.21m
7:36PM4.46m
Low Tide
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
12:51PM2.43m
1:18AM1.97m
1:32PM2.14m
1:54AM1.68m
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
mod rain
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
6:50
6:52
6:54
6:56
6:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:29
7:25
7:22
7:21
7:17
7:15
7:12
 mm
3
2
1
1
1
2
8
Temp °C
12
11
13
13
14
13
13
12
12
12
11
10
12
16
18
17
14
17
14
10
Feels °C
3
2
6
10
7
4
3
2
1
2
4
7
10
15
16
16
14
16
13
2
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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