Thurso Reef surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Tuesday 12 May 2026 BST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Thurso Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Thurso Reef sea temperature is
8.6° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Tuesday (May 12) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 13) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (May 19) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Tue 12th May)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Best Surf 7PM (Tue 12th May)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Most Powerful10AM (Wed 13th May)10ft (3.0m) 12s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Tue morning, calm by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 10°C on Sun morning, min 5°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Fri morning, calm by Sun night).

Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
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
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
2
2
2
3
2
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
WNW
8
3.5
WNW
10
3
WNW
11
3
WNW
12
2.5
WNW
12
2.4
WNW
11
1.7
WNW
10
2.2
NNW
7
3
NNW
8
3
NNW
9
2.5
NNW
10
1.8
N
10
1.4
N
10
1.1
N
10
0.9
N
10
1.4
W
14
1.7
W
13
1.5
W
12
1.3
W
11
1.4
W
11
1.4
W
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
926
2516
2017
2746
2089
1340
537
487
1140
1461
1181
640
369
219
149
758
956
628
403
459
466
Wind (km/h)
40
WNW
35
W
10
W
15
NNW
20
N
15
NNW
35
N
35
NNW
40
NNW
35
NNW
30
NNW
15
NNW
10
NNW
10
N
10
SSE
20
SE
25
SE
10
SW
5
W
15
E
15
SE
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
6:12PM4.25m
6:12AM4.44m
6:59PM4.50m
7:02AM4.68m
7:42PM4.74m
7:49AM4.89m
8:24PM4.94m
8:35AM5.04m
9:06PM5.08m
9:22AM5.10m
9:48PM5.13m
10:12AM5.06m
10:33PM5.11m
Low Tide
11:55AM1.91m
00:19AM2.22m
12:46PM1.64m
1:08AM1.93m
1:31PM1.38m
1:53AM1.64m
2:15PM1.18m
2:37AM1.39m
2:58PM1.07m
3:20AM1.21m
3:41PM1.07m
4:05AM1.11m
4:26PM1.18m
rain showers
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:52
4:50
4:48
4:47
4:45
4:43
4:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:28
9:30
9:31
9:35
9:37
9:38
9:40
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Temp °C
8
9
7
9
9
8
8
8
7
7
7
6
7
7
6
10
10
9
11
11
10
-1
0
2
4
3
2
0
-1
-2
-2
-1
0
3
3
2
4
4
7
8
7
5
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
N
9
0.5
N
8
3
WNW
11
3
WNW
12
2.5
WNW
12
2.4
WNW
11
1.7
WNW
10
1.2
WNW
10
0.2
ENE
11
0.2
ENE
11
0.4
NE
12
0.6
WNW
8
1.4
N
10
1.1
N
10
0.9
N
10
1.4
W
14
1.7
W
13
1.5
W
12
1.3
W
11
1.4
W
11
1.4
W
11
Energy kJ
71
33
2017
2746
2089
1340
537
248
11
12
36
49
369
219
149
758
956
628
403
459
466
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
20
0.3
N
8
0.2
N
7
0.2
N
7
0.1
NE
9
0.1
W
12
0.2
ENE
6
0.6
WNW
8
0.6
WNW
8
0.7
W
12
0.7
N
9
0.6
N
9
0.5
N
8
0.4
NNE
8
0.4
NNE
8
0.3
N
7
Energy kJ
7
10
4
4
3
3
4
47
45
141
79
55
34
22
21
10
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NE
9
0.2
W
16
0.4
WNW
14
0.5
W
8
Energy kJ
3
19
67
31
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
WNW
8
3.5
WNW
10
1.5
N
7
2.2
NNW
7
3
NNW
8
3
NNW
9
2.5
NNW
10
1.8
N
10
0.6
NNW
6
0.5
ESE
3
Energy kJ
926
2516
205
487
1140
1461
1181
640
23
7
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
4
2
3
1
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
2
2
3
4
2
2
2
2
Distance (km)
486
523
1
26
600
1114
892
523
524
523
315
94
24
9
0
1
1
0
0
9
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
3
2
3
4
3
2
3
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
4
2
1
1
1
4
2
2
2
3
4
3
2
3
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
9
6
8
9
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
6
5
5
4
4
7
5
5
4
  • 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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