Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 10 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 11 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 11 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, WNW swell with 349 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s 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 Saturday (Jul 11) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s. 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 1.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 11) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 7s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Sat 11th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sat 11th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sat 11th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
Hey crew, Rusty here. Let’s be real – the next couple weeks at Thurso Reef are a real rollercoaster, and mostly on the frustrating side. It starts slow and messy, but if you’re patient, a couple of solid days show up. Water temp sits around 55°F – nothing unusual for this time of year.
Your first decent look is Tuesday morning, July 14. We’ve got a 3-foot swell out of the west-northwest with a 10-second interval – moderate energy (205). Light cross-offshore wind from the southeast at 6 mph will keep it clean. The reef is fairly consistent and loves a north-west direction, so this lines up. Crowds are possible, so don’t sleep in. It’s not huge, but it’s a clean session for a few turns.
Now, the big one: Sunday, July 19. A solid pulse of north-west swell is forecast to hit 10 feet with an 8-second period and massive energy (1118). The issue? A moderate cross-shore wind from the north-west at 12 mph will add some chop. At 10 feet, this is expert territory only – the reef can handle it, but the short period means it’ll be punchy and a bit raw. If you’ve got the experience, this is the peak of the whole outlook.
Then on Monday, July 20, the swell drops to 6 feet from the north-northwest with an 8-second period and energy of (488). Wind swings south at 6 mph – offshore and clean – and by afternoon it’s glassy with north winds at 3 mph and only 4 feet. That afternoon glass-off is a beautiful, clean window for the more moderate crew. Again, crowds are possible, but that glassy session is a gem.
From July 21 through the 25th, it’s mostly strong winds, lumpy cross-chop, and either too small or too messy. Not worth paddling out for most. Kite surfers might look elsewhere too – the wind isn’t cooperating.
So, the standouts: Sunday, July 19 for the big, raw swell for experts, and Monday, July 20 afternoon for the glassy, clean conditions that suit intermediates. Everything else is a write-off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 99 | 326 | 346 | 267 | 203 | 129 | 70 | 43 | 28 | 35 | 34 | 29 | 129 | 242 | 158 | 87 | 57 | 39 | 31 | 25 | 24 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:39PM4.30m | 5:57AM4.37m | 6:43PM4.48m | 7:09AM4.50m | 7:42PM4.70m | 8:15AM4.66m | 8:36PM4.92m | 9:14AM4.82m | 9:27PM5.10m | 10:07AM4.91m | 10:14PM5.21m | 10:57AM4.92m | 10:59PM5.25m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:26AM1.91m | 00:02AM2.14m | 12:33PM1.81m | 1:08AM1.85m | 1:33PM1.67m | 2:06AM1.53m | 2:27PM1.53m | 2:58AM1.22m | 3:16PM1.44m | 3:47AM0.99m | 4:03PM1.40m | 4:34AM0.87m | 4:47PM1.44m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 4:20 | — | — | 4:22 | — | — | 4:24 | — | — | 4:24 | — | — | 4:26 | — | — | 4:28 | — | — | 4:30 | — | — |
 | — | — | 10:15 | — | — | 10:15 | — | — | 10:14 | — | — | 10:12 | — | — | 10:10 | — | — | 10:08 | — | — | 10:07 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 99 | 326 | 346 | 267 | 203 | 129 | 70 | 43 | 28 | 35 | 34 | 29 | 129 | 242 | 158 | 87 | 57 | 39 | 31 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NE 7 | E 7 | — | NNW 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | WNW 10 | W 12 | — | W 18 | W 18 | E 5 | — | — | — | N 10 |
| kJ | 73 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 76 | — | 6 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 21 | — | W 14 | E 6 | — | — | W 18 | — | — | — | — | E 6 |
| kJ | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | 14 | 1 | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 7 | — | — | ESE 2 | — | ESE 2 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 71 | 26 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 60 | 170 | 9 | 214 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 184 | 375 | 375 |
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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