Thurso Reef surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Saturday 17 Jan 2026 GMT
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 slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Thurso Reef this week:

The surf forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jan 18) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Reef in the next 12 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 20) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 11s period and expected on Friday (Jan 23) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sun 18th Jan)3.5ft (1.0m) 12s
Best Surf 6PM (Mon 19th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 6AM (Tue 20th Jan)11ft (3.5m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Mild temperatures (max 7°C on Sat morning, min 4°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Sun night, fresh winds from the SSE by Mon night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Tue morning, min 6°C on Tue afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Tue morning, near gales from the ESE by Thu night).

Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
0
0
0
3
4
!
!
!
2
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.5
W
1.3
W
1
W
0.9
W
0.8
W
0.6
W
0.8
WNW
2.5
WNW
3
W
3.5
WNW
3
WNW
2.3
WNW
1.6
W
1.2
W
1
W
0.5
W
2
W
2.4
W
1.9
W
1.9
W
2.5
W
Period(s) (?)131212111010201716161614131212221816141518
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)760513268191135684373955513053864131207090545329524926822911149215554065
Wind
(km/h)
30
SSE
25
SE
15
SSE
15
SSE
20
SSE
25
SE
15
S
20
SSE
30
SE
25
SSE
20
SSE
30
SE
45
SE
40
SE
45
SE
40
SSE
40
SE
40
SE
60
ESE
60
ESE
40
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:14PM
4.36
8:20AM
4.72
8:50PM
4.49
8:53AM
4.85
9:23PM
4.58
9:25AM
4.94
9:55PM
4.64
9:57AM
4.98
10:28PM
4.64
10:30AM
4.99
11:03PM
4.60
11:05AM
4.93
11:42PM
4.52
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:01PM
1.71
2:08AM
1.83
2:36PM
1.52
2:43AM
1.72
3:10PM
1.38
3:17AM
1.63
3:43PM
1.29
3:51AM
1.60
4:18PM
1.25
4:25AM
1.62
4:53PM
1.27
5:01AM
1.69
5:32PM
1.35
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Sunrise8:48--8:47--8:45--8:44--8:41--8:41--8:38--
Sunset-3:59--4:00--4:02--4:05--4:07--4:09--4:12-
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
light rain
light rain
Rain (mm)
--------1--------3-15
Temp. °C777557777878766777655
Feels °C (?)112101320431-3-4-4-2-2-4-7-8-5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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 12 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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