Thurso Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.60° N 3.52° W

Thurso Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 15 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso Reef sea temperature is
13.6°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 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 TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Wed 16th Sep)6ft (1.8m) 9s
Best Surf10PM (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 Forecast

Heavy 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 Summary

Light 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
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
3
1
1
0
!
!
!
2
2
!
0
!
!
!
3
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
W
11
1
W
10
1.8
NW
6
1.7
NW
8
1.8
NNW
9
1.1
W
10
2.2
W
9
3.5
W
10
5
WNW
15
4.5
WNW
13
3.5
WNW
12
2.3
WNW
12
2.5
W
11
3
W
10
4
W
10
5
WNW
12
4.5
WNW
13
3
WNW
12
2.2
WNW
12
2.5
W
11
2.1
W
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy 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)
20
NW
30
WNW
35
NW
25
NW
10
W
30
SSW
35
SW
45
WSW
40
W
35
W
30
WSW
30
SW
35
WSW
40
WSW
50
W
40
W
30
W
20
SSE
25
W
20
WSW
15
SSW
Wind State
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
light rain
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:43
6:46
6:48
6:50
6:52
6:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
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
  • 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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