
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, WNW swell with 4,672 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Reef in the next 16 days are 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at the next couple of weeks for Thurso Reef. It’s a reef setup, fairly consistent, and likes a nice NW swell. The water’s sitting at about 56°F which is pretty much average for this time of year.
Right now, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. Wednesday and Thursday are pretty grim – small, weak swell, and the wind’s all wrong. Not worth paddling out for. Friday morning’s got a bit more size at 7ft from the west, but with a gusty 22 mph cross-off wind, it’s messy and just not gonna be fun. Friday afternoon cleans up a touch, but still only a 1 out of 10 vibe with the strong breeze.
Now, hold onto your board – Saturday the 12th is the first real standout. We’ve got a chunky 12ft swell rolling in from the WNW with a solid 13-second period. Combined energy is pumping at 4147 – that’s strong. The wind is a cross-off at 28 mph in the morning, backing off to 22 in the arvo. Honestly, this swell is too big for most folks – this is expert territory only. If you’re not confident, stay on the beach and watch the show. The reef is gonna be handling that long-period groundswell beautifully, but it’ll be intense. You might see a few kites out there instead of paddle boards.
Sunday the 13th drops back to 7ft from the WNW, period still 11 seconds, and the wind swings lighter. Clean lines, but still on the bigger side for intermediates. Monday the 14th looks alright – a smaller 4ft NNW swell with offshore SSW wind in the morning. Clean and workable, but nothing to write home about.
The next big moment is Friday the 18th. Morning shows 8ft from the west, 13-second period – that’s a serious groundswell with combined energy over 2000. The afternoon is the real gem: glassy conditions, light wind from the SSW, the same 8ft WNW swell, and the report says excellent for experienced surfers. This is the best on offer for the whole window. If you’ve got the skill, this is your session.
Saturday the 19th stays fun – 6ft WNW, 12-second period, offshore wind in the morning. Clean, consistent, and a solid option for intermediates. Then we get another standout on Tuesday the 22nd: 8ft from the west, 10-second period, light wind, and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. Combined energy is 1212 – moderate to strong, and it'll be clean all morning.
Then Thursday the 24th – morning again looks prime: 8ft from the west, 11-second period, light offshore SSW wind. Clean and powerful, made for the reef. The afternoon though, it jacks up to 13ft from the west with a 12-second period and energy at 4919. That’s massive, and the report says wind and tide are favorable but it’s too big for this break. Honestly, that’s a no-go unless you’re a pro and even then, respect the reef.
So, to sum it up: the first week is mostly small or blown out. The real highlights are Saturday the 12th (expert only), Friday afternoon the 18th (the pick of the bunch), Tuesday morning the 22nd, and Thursday morning the 24th. Get in the water on those days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the W by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sat morning, calm by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | W 9 | N 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 11 | W 7 | W 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | W 9 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
220 | 162 | 48 | 68 | 93 | 723 | 428 | 830 | 1274 | 4141 | 3727 | 1718 | 1027 | 716 | 452 | 452 | 349 | 474 | 498 | 392 | 308 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:17PM4.95m | 9:00AM4.89m | 9:00PM5.19m | 9:38AM5.00m | 9:38PM5.31m | 10:12AM5.01m | 10:14PM5.32m | 10:45AM4.94m | 10:49PM5.21m | 11:16AM4.81m | 11:23PM5.00m | 11:47AM4.64m | 11:58PM4.71m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:08PM1.71m | 2:35AM1.05m | 2:50PM1.49m | 3:16AM0.87m | 3:29PM1.34m | 3:55AM0.82m | 4:05PM1.28m | 4:31AM0.90m | 4:40PM1.32m | 5:06AM1.09m | 5:15PM1.44m | 5:39AM1.36m | 5:50PM1.64m | ||||||||
6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 7 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 4 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | W 9 | N 7 | W 7 | W 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | W 9 | WNW 11 | SE 6 | SE 7 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | NNW 12 | W 9 | W 11 | N 11 | W 10 | WNW 9 |
186 | 162 | 45 | 68 | 93 | 7 | 2 | 830 | 1274 | 23 | 25 | 1718 | 1027 | 716 | 295 | 452 | 349 | 474 | 112 | 392 | 308 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | NNW 7 | W 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 10 | WNW 14 | N 9 | — | NNW 13 | NNW 15 | NNW 13 | NNW 12 | WNW 9 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | SE 6 | N 10 | NNW 9 |
220 | 91 | 48 | 26 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 660 | 6 | — | 16 | 121 | 294 | 452 | 132 | 288 | 156 | 2 | 73 | 29 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 5 | W 5 | W 12 | W 12 | N 7 | — | — | N 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 5 | NNW 11 | — | SE 6 | SE 6 |
— | 1 | 21 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 38 | — | 1 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSE 3 | SSE 4 | W 11 | W 7 | — | S 3 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | — | — | — | SSE 3 | SSE 4 | — | SSW 3 | W 11 | — | — |
— | — | — | 6 | 8 | 723 | 428 | — | 4 | 4141 | 3727 | — | — | — | 3 | 14 | — | 3 | 498 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 53 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 180 | 579 | 26 | 1 | 423 | 389 | 16 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 165 | 646 | 26 |
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.










