Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 11 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, W swell with 408 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. 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 1.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 11) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sat 11th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks. We’re looking at a pretty lean stretch for Thurso Reef, but there’s a tiny window of hope right at the start.
Thursday morning, 9th July, is your best bet by a long shot. We’ve got a clean 4ft swell rolling in from the west, with a period of 9 seconds. The wind is a light cross-off from the SSE, which is going to keep things tidy. The water temperature is sitting at 54°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so nothing wild there. The combined wave energy is moderate (212), and while it’s not a massive day, it’ll be surfable and fun. Crowds are possible here, so keep your eyes peeled.
After that morning, it trails off fast. Thursday afternoon gets messy with onshore wind, and then we’re into a real dry spell. From Friday 10th July all the way through to Friday 24th July, the forecast is a dead loss. The swell drops, the wind goes all wrong, or it’s just too weak. We’re talking weeks of 1ft to 4ft junk with cross-on breezes or choppy conditions. The wind is mostly cross-on or cross-shore, and the swell quality is just not there. Don’t bother paddling out.
There’s a brief flicker of bigger swell on Friday 24th July, with 6ft to 7ft coming from the west, but it’s paired with a short, weak period of 6-7 seconds and cross-shore winds. The energy is moderate (283-381), but the wave comment says "poor surf conditions." It’s likely a washed-out, close-out mess. For a reef break, that short period won’t do it any favours. That setup might honestly be more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer.
So, the long and short of it: get out on Thursday morning, 9th July, or don’t bother for the next two weeks. It’s a long, quiet stretch, and frankly, that’s the norm for this area sometimes.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 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 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 192 | 225 | 184 | 97 | 332 | 408 | 267 | 203 | 129 | 68 | 62 | 43 | 45 | 40 | 26 | 113 | 242 | 127 | 62 | 39 | 25 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:32PM4.19m | 4:44AM4.32m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:13AM1.93m | 10:45PM2.31m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 4:18 | — | — | 4:20 | — | — | 4:22 | — | — | 4:24 | — | — | 4:24 | — | — | 4:26 | — | — | 4:28 | — | — |
 | — | — | 10:16 | — | — | 10:15 | — | — | 10:15 | — | — | 10:14 | — | — | 10:12 | — | — | 10:10 | — | — | 10:08 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 17 | 18 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 22 | 17 | 19 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | 192 | 225 | 184 | 97 | 332 | 408 | 267 | 203 | 129 | 68 | 62 | 43 | 45 | 40 | 26 | 84 | 242 | 127 | 62 | 39 | 25 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | W 12 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NE 7 | E 7 | E 5 | E 7 | E 6 | — | WNW 10 | WNW 12 | — | W 18 | W 18 | — | — |
| kJ | 20 | 20 | 9 | 73 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 18 | 113 | — | 6 | 6 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 21 | — | W 14 | W 19 | — | E 6 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | 15 | 7 | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 7 | — | — | — | — | E 5 | ESE 2 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 5 | 16 | 31 | 71 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 191 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 89 | 184 |
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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