Thurso Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.60° N 3.52° W

Thurso Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 01 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso Reef sea temperature is
13.8°C
0.8° 

Thurso Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Thurso Reef surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, W swell with 4,764 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period with N 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 (Sep 03) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m 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 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Thu 3rd Sep)4.5ft (1.4m) 10s
Best Surf 1PM (Fri 4th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 7PM (Tue 8th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’.

We’ve got a long run ahead at Thurso Reef. The water’s sitting at 57°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing out of the ordinary there. The first few days are a bit of a write-off, honestly. Tuesday afternoon has a 7 ft W swell but it’s cross-off and messy, with weak energy (325) – not worth paddling out for.

Wednesday morning is bigger at 8 ft from the NNW with a 10-second period, but it’s cross-shore and choppy, and the energy is moderate (1162). Still not clean enough to get excited about.

Then we hit Friday, the 4th of September – now we’re talking. Friday morning shapes up nicely: 7 ft from the W, period of 11 seconds, with a fresh offshore breeze from the SSW. The energy is moderate (1042) but that offshore wind is gold for this reef. It’s the standout of the first week. Friday afternoon gets even bigger – 10 ft from the W, 12-second period, and strong energy (2513). But that’s a lot of water for this break – only for experienced surfers, and the wind goes cross-off.

Saturday the 5th keeps the size: 10 ft again, WNW, with a 9-second period and fresh cross-off wind (1569). Still too big for beginners, but a solid option if you’ve got the skills. Sunday drops right off (4 ft) and the week after gets messy and inconsistent.

Now, the real gem is the 12th of September – Saturday morning. It’s glassy, 7 ft swell from the NNW with an 11-second period (1056). That’s the best wave of the whole run: clean, offshore enough, and the energy is solid. If you can wait, that’s the morning to be out.

After that, the surf fades. Sunday the 13th has a 4 ft glassy N swell (331) – small but fun if you’re keen. By Monday the 14th, it’s down to 2 ft and not worth the hassle.

So, bottom line: Friday the 4th morning for the first standout, and Saturday the 12th morning for the absolute best conditions. Everything else is either too big, too windy, or too small.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the WSW by Fri morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun night, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sat night, near gales from the WSW by Sun night).

Tue
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
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
3
2
0
1
1
3
!
0
!
1
2
1
0
1
0
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
W
6
1.8
WNW
7
2.4
NNW
10
2.4
NNW
11
1.8
NNW
10
1.2
N
10
1
N
9
0.7
N
8
2.1
W
11
3
W
12
4.5
WNW
10
3
WNW
9
2.3
W
10
1.8
WNW
9
1.2
WNW
9
1
W
9
1.2
W
12
1.7
W
11
2.1
W
14
2.4
W
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
312
330
1080
1322
694
262
160
69
1011
2502
3368
1569
1109
499
227
153
389
711
1699
1320
Wind (km/h)
35
W
30
WNW
20
WNW
10
NE
20
SE
30
W
25
WSW
25
SW
30
SSW
40
W
50
W
35
W
35
W
20
WSW
25
SSE
20
SSE
30
SSW
50
WSW
35
W
15
SE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:55PM4.92m
12:25PM4.57m
00:38AM4.69m
1:11PM4.38m
1:32AM4.40m
2:10PM4.17m
2:47AM4.12m
3:31PM4.04m
4:29AM4.01m
5:06PM4.09m
6:11AM4.14m
6:28PM4.33m
Low Tide
5:54PM1.57m
6:21AM1.42m
6:34PM1.76m
7:04AM1.70m
7:23PM1.99m
7:57AM2.02m
8:29PM2.21m
9:12AM2.31m
10:04PM2.29m
10:53AM2.41m
11:44PM2.10m
12:19PM2.25m
00:56AM1.73m
clear
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mod rain
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light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
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light rain
mod rain
light rain
part cloud
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:13
6:15
6:16
6:18
6:22
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:15
8:12
8:09
8:07
8:04
8:00
7:58
 mm
6
1
1
1
1
4
8
3
Temp °C
14
12
11
12
13
16
17
14
14
14
13
14
14
13
13
16
17
15
15
13
Feels °C
7
5
7
9
11
10
13
10
7
6
3
7
7
9
9
13
12
6
9
12
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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