Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NW swell with 1,270 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period with NW 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Reef in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for Thurso Reef.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the next week or so is looking pretty grim. There’s a real dry spell for any decent waves, with only tiny, weak swell and messy conditions. We’re looking at a solid 5 to 6 days of nothing worth paddling out for. The only glimmer of light is a nice, clean window that pops up on Sunday the 16th, but the swell is tiny at 3 ft from the North with a short period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at best (233), so it’ll be small and gutless, but the wind goes glassy in the morning, making it the only real session on offer for a while. That’s about the best we get in the first week.
Looking further out, there’s a pulse of energy coming through around Wednesday the 19th, with swell pushing 7 ft from the WNW (period 8 seconds) and combined energy ramping up to a solid 653. That’s moderate to strong energy, but the catch is the wind is onshore from the NE in the morning, and cross-shore in the afternoon, making it messy. It’s a marginal call at best. The water temp is sitting at 56°F, which is bang on average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
If I had to call one standout from this whole 16-day outlook, it’s that Sunday the 16th. It’s not big, and it won’t be powerful, but for a few hours in the morning it’ll be clean and quiet. Expect crowds to be possible there, as it’s a spot that can get busy when conditions are right.
For the rest of it, mate, it’s mostly a write-off. The stronger swells in the second week are all plagued by bad wind direction and chop, making it look more interesting for the kite crew than us paddle surfers. Keep an eye on it, but don’t hold your breath.
Stay salty,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 | WNW 7 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | W 12 | W 10 | WSW 10 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 8 | W 7 | N 8 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | N 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 800 | 595 | 1157 | 784 | 358 | 137 | 80 | 26 | 25 | 78 | 32 | 68 | 112 | 71 | 31 | 26 | 12 | 49 | 212 | 162 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 6:32PM4.36m | 7:16AM4.39m | 7:36PM4.63m | 8:20AM4.63m | 8:30PM4.91m | 9:12AM4.84m | 9:16PM5.15m | 9:57AM4.97m | 9:59PM5.31m | 10:39AM4.99m | 10:40PM5.35m | 11:18AM4.92m | 11:19PM5.28m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:01AM1.85m | 1:26PM1.88m | 1:59AM1.47m | 2:19PM1.67m | 2:49AM1.13m | 3:05PM1.49m | 3:34AM0.89m | 3:48PM1.37m | 4:17AM0.79m | 4:28PM1.34m | 4:58AM0.82m | 5:07PM1.40m | ||||||||
 |  | | | |  | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:01 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | S 6 | NNW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | W 10 | W 6 | W 12 | W 11 | W 5 | W 8 | N 9 | N 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | N 9 |
| kJ | 14 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 358 | 137 | 80 | 26 | 15 | 78 | 18 | 68 | 112 | 20 | 31 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 212 | 162 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | — | — | — | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 12 | N 7 | WSW 10 | ESE 6 | N 10 | W 10 | N 9 | W 9 | E 5 | N 8 | N 7 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | 40 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 25 | 8 | 32 | 4 | 19 | 71 | 25 | 15 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 107 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | ESE 5 | ESE 7 | N 8 | SE 6 | N 10 | W 10 | SE 6 | — | W 8 | NNW 9 | E 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 29 | 17 | 1 | — | 1 | 8 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | WNW 7 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | — | — | SE 3 | SE 5 | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | N 5 | — |
| kJ | 800 | 595 | 1157 | 784 | — | — | 4 | 11 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | 29 | 49 | 12 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 674 | 423 | 214 | 191 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 31 | 71 | 783 | 728 | 71 | 31 |
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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