Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, N swell with 459 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Reef in the next 16 days are 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Fri 31st Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next two weeks for Thurso Reef.
It’s a rough start, no two ways about it. From Friday, July 31st, right through the first week of August, the ocean is mostly asleep. The swell is tiny, under 2 ft, with short, weak periods and hardly any energy. The wind is a mess – cross, onshore, and cross-on – so everything is chopped up or flat. You’ll be looking at a solid ten days of nothing to surf. It’s a proper summer flat spell.
Finally, around the second weekend, we get a pulse. On Sunday, August 9th, a 7 ft swell from the WNW shows up, with energy readings of (570) and (827). The period is only 8-9 seconds, so it’s a messy wind swell, not a clean groundswell. The wind is offshore (W to NW), so it’ll be clean, but it’s a raw, lumpy wave. It’s the best thing on offer, but it’s still a marginal call with the tide.
The real window of opportunity opens on Monday, August 10th. We’ve got a cleaner 6 ft swell from the NW, with energy at (799) and (418). The wind is light and cross-off from the SE, which is perfect for this reef. The waves will be clean and surfable. It’s not the best day of the year, but after the drought, it’s a solid session. The water temperature is about 56°, which is normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good wetsuit.
After that, it fades out fast. Tuesday the 11th gives you a last chance with 4-5 ft sets and clean conditions, but by Wednesday the 12th, it’s back to small, weak dribble that lasts through the rest of the forecast. The final days are flat with glassy mornings, but zero to ride.
So, the bottom line is: the first half is a total loss. The best stretch is from Sunday, August 9th, through Tuesday, August 11th. Monday, August 10th is the standout – clean, light wind, and the most consistent size of the month. That’s your one real shot.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 6 | WNW 6 | W 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | WNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | W 10 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 59 | 91 | 45 | 90 | 122 | 211 | 191 | 202 | 391 | 414 | 287 | 189 | 88 | 65 | 45 | 55 | 39 | 25 | 23 | 17 | 17 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | off |
High Tide | 10:43AM4.59m | 10:44PM4.94m | 11:14AM4.61m | 11:15PM4.95m | 11:46AM4.59m | 11:48PM4.91m | 12:20PM4.52m | 00:23AM4.81m | 12:59PM4.42m | 1:04AM4.67m | 1:46PM4.29m | 1:55AM4.48m | 2:44PM4.17m | 3:01AM4.28m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:37PM1.63m | 5:03AM1.31m | 5:10PM1.63m | 5:36AM1.32m | 5:43PM1.68m | 6:12AM1.38m | 6:19PM1.78m | 6:50AM1.50m | 6:59PM1.93m | 7:34AM1.68m | 7:47PM2.10m | 8:27AM1.89m | 8:50PM2.27m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | |  | |  |  | |  |  |  | | | |  | | |  | |
 | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:03 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:38 | — | — | 9:36 | — | — | 9:34 | — | — | 9:31 | — | — | 9:29 | — | — | 9:27 | — | — | 9:24 |
mm | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 8 | 6 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 4 | W 10 |
| kJ | 59 | 91 | 20 | 90 | 122 | 211 | 171 | 202 | 391 | 414 | 287 | 189 | 88 | 65 | 45 | 55 | 39 | 25 | 23 | 4 | 17 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 6 | WNW 6 | W 9 | NW 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | N 6 |
| kJ | 18 | 16 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 7 | — | 138 | 54 | 19 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 17 | 15 | 8 | 8 | 18 | 17 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 11 | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | NW 6 | W 9 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | ESE 6 | E 6 | N 7 | W 5 |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | — | W 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | — | — | ESE 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 5 | E 5 | ENE 3 | — | — | — | NNW 5 | — | — |
| kJ | 89 | — | 45 | 113 | 82 | 54 | 191 | — | — | 6 | 5 | 21 | 66 | 57 | 3 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 449 | 0 | 71 | 818 | 835 | 0 | 71 | 165 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 177 | 73 | 5 | 170 | 375 | 294 | 71 | 962 | 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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