
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, W swell with 1,247 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s period with N 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. 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 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) 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 Tuesday (Aug 04) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ at the Thurso Reef forecast. It’s a bit of a slow burn for the next week or so, but there’s some real promise lurking in the second week. The reef is exposed to the NW, and it’s fairly consistent, so when it’s on, it’s on. Water temp’s sittin’ at 56°, which is pretty much dead average for this time of year, so don’t expect any surprises on that front.
The week starts quiet. Tuesday morning, we’ve got a 3ft swell from the north on a short 8-second period, but with a 19 mph cross-shore from the east, it’s just lumpy chop. Combined energy on that is weak, only 93. Not worth paddling out. Tuesday arvo doesn’t get any better – 5ft from the east, but the wind’s up to 22 mph cross-shore, making a mess. Wednesday and Thursday are similar: small swell, messy wind. Thursday morning has a 5ft NNW swell, but again, a fresh 19 mph cross-shore kills it.
Friday morning the 7th of August finally shows a glimmer. A tiny 1ft WNW swell, but the wind swings to a light offshore from the SSW at 12 mph. The energy’s weak (39), but it’s clean. The arvo gets better: 4ft from the west, 9-second period, and a clean offshore breeze. That’s the first real chance for a wave. Score is low, but it’s a start.
The weekend brings a real pulse. Saturday the 8th has a 6ft WSW swell with a 10-second period, but the wind is a strong 22 mph cross-offshore. The energy jumps to 651 – moderate. It’s surfable, but that wind is pushy. Sunday the 9th looks even meatier: 8ft from the WSW, 10-second period, and the combined energy is a solid 1057. That’s strong. The wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-offshore, so it’s gonna be a bit raw, but for experienced surfers, that’s a proper session. It’s a bit much for beginners though – over 5ft, so keep that in mind. Crowds can be a thing here, so expect company.
Monday the 10th sees a 6ft NNW swell with a long 11-second period, bringing energy up to 905. But the wind is a lumpy cross-shore, so the quality drops. Then Tuesday the 11th of August, things start to look real good. Morning has a 5ft NNW swell, 10-second period, energy at 660, and the wind is a light cross-offshore from the southeast. That’s clean. Afternoon is similar, but the wind gets a bit light and cross-shore. Still, that morning window is a standout: clean, solid, and the direction is matching the optimum NW. That’s the pick of the first week.
Wednesday the 12th drops off fast – back to 3ft and ordinary. Thursday the 13th is flat, barely a ripple.
Now, here’s the real deal. Friday the 14th of August. The morning shows a 8ft swell from the west, 10-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 1334. That’s strong. The wind is a gentle offshore from the SW at 9 mph. That’s clean, powerful, and for experienced surfers, that’s the best on offer. The arvo keeps it going with 7ft and light winds. The swell’s over 8ft, so this is experts only, but the quality is excellent. The long period means the sets will be clean and powerful, but it’s a reef, so that’s a good thing – it’ll hold shape.
Saturday the 15th is still solid: 7ft from the WNW with a light cross-offshore breeze. Energy is moderate at 542. That’s a very good day for anyone comfortable in that size. Sunday the 16th has a 5ft NNW swell with a gentle offshore from the south. Clean, fun, and more accessible. The rest of the outlook fades out with smaller, wind-affected stuff.
So, look, if you’re a competent surfer, the real standout is the 14th of August, with that 8ft WSW swell and clean offshore. The 11th is a solid second pick for a cleaner, slightly smaller session. For the rest, it’s picky. The long-range stuff is promising, but it’s 8 days out, so keep an eye on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue night, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Tue morning, calm by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sat morning, light winds from the NNW by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 8 | E 5 | N 8 | NNE 7 | N 8 | N 7 | NNW 7 | N 7 | N 6 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 11 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
86 | 102 | 40 | 71 | 323 | 377 | 214 | 86 | 21 | 30 | 194 | 528 | 641 | 502 | 1247 | 1004 | 574 | 510 | 571 | 745 | 356 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:59PM4.42m | 1:04AM4.67m | 1:46PM4.29m | 1:55AM4.48m | 2:44PM4.17m | 3:01AM4.28m | 3:55PM4.11m | 4:23AM4.15m | 5:15PM4.16m | 5:55AM4.19m | 6:32PM4.36m | 7:16AM4.39m | 7:36PM4.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:59PM1.93m | 7:34AM1.68m | 7:47PM2.10m | 8:27AM1.89m | 8:50PM2.27m | 9:36AM2.09m | 10:15PM2.33m | 11:01AM2.17m | 11:47PM2.18m | 12:22PM2.08m | 1:01AM1.85m | 1:26PM1.88m | 1:59AM1.47m | ||||||||
5:07 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:29 | — | — | 9:27 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | |
mm | 7 | 8 | 3 | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 14 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 8 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 6 | 7 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | W 11 | W 10 | N 7 | WNW 4 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | N 8 | NW 14 | WNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 11 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 |
86 | 61 | 40 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 86 | 11 | 30 | 194 | 528 | 641 | 502 | 5 | 47 | 574 | 510 | 571 | 745 | 356 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | ESE 6 | E 6 | W 10 | N 6 | N 6 | NNE 6 | N 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | NW 12 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 10 | E 5 |
5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 21 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 440 | 189 | 88 | 92 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 7 | W 7 | — | W 11 | E 6 | N 6 | W 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 11 | N 9 | SE 6 | — | N 8 | N 7 | SE 6 | WNW 12 | SE 6 | — |
2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | E 5 | E 7 | NNE 7 | N 8 | N 7 | NNW 7 | WNW 5 | — | W 5 | SSW 3 | SSE 4 | SSW 4 | — | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | NW 4 | W 8 | WNW 8 |
16 | 102 | 59 | 71 | 323 | 377 | 214 | 22 | — | 30 | 3 | 2 | 20 | — | 1247 | 1004 | — | — | 6 | 68 | 353 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 412 | 285 | 16 | 24 | 170 | 1101 | 313 | 255 | 8 | 28 | 0 | 417 | 423 | 574 | 423 | 784 | 755 | 657 | 290 | 290 | 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.











