Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with 1,045 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. 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 2.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty. Let's be straight with you. For the next sixteen days, the pickings around here are incredibly slim. There's really only one window that's gonna get you wet, and even that's a gamble. We're looking at a long stretch of nothing otherwise.
The only hope on the horizon comes from Thurso-Reef (Thurso Reef), a reef break that's rated for intermediates. It's a fairly consistent spot but it rarely lines up right. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year.
The whole play kicks off on Monday, the 24th of August. The morning is the best session you're gonna get in this whole outlook. We've got a solid 7ft swell rolling in from the WNW with a long period of 11 seconds – that's proper groundswell energy (973 combined energy). The wind is light and offshore from the southeast, leaving the face clean. This has moderate wave energy in the water, and it's the standout. It's a reef setup, so that long period should wrap in nicely. Just be aware that crowds are possible here. The afternoon drops to 6ft with the same direction and solid period (778 energy) but the quality drops off a bit.
The next few days are a write-off for decent waves. Tuesday drops to 4ft, and the wind gets fresh. From the 26th of August right through to the end of the period on the 6th of September, it's a flat spell. Swells barely tickle 2ft most days, and while some mornings have clean conditions, there's just no energy. That gap from the 25th of August afternoon all the way through is basically a surf-free zone.
So there you have it. One Monday morning to aim for, and then a long wait. Keep an eye on the charts, because things can change, but right now, that's the full story.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 | ESE 4 | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 137 | 35 | 20 | 59 | 123 | 530 | 973 | 778 | 400 | 230 | 153 | 51 | 21 | 26 | 10 | 51 | 63 | 35 | 11 | 4 | 4 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 4:38AM3.72m | 5:18PM3.86m | 6:14AM3.76m | 6:34PM4.01m | 7:22AM3.94m | 7:29PM4.24m | 8:08AM4.17m | 8:10PM4.48m | 8:43AM4.38m | 8:45PM4.70m | 9:14AM4.57m | 9:16PM4.89m | 9:44AM4.72m | 9:46PM5.03m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:03AM2.65m | 00:01AM2.49m | 12:23PM2.55m | 1:05AM2.25m | 1:18PM2.35m | 1:49AM1.97m | 1:59PM2.11m | 2:26AM1.71m | 2:35PM1.88m | 2:59AM1.48m | 3:08PM1.68m | 3:31AM1.30m | 3:40PM1.52m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | |  |  | | |  |  | | | |
 | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 3 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | N 8 | N 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | E 8 | W 10 | E 10 | W 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 7 |
| kJ | 4 | 35 | 20 | 59 | 123 | 530 | 973 | 778 | 400 | 230 | 153 | 51 | 21 | 11 | 58 | 51 | 90 | 35 | 66 | 48 | 65 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 | NNE 8 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | N 8 | N 9 | W 8 | W 8 | N 8 | W 9 | N 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 |
| kJ | 6 | 2 | 8 | 26 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 63 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | — | W 8 | NNE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | N 9 | N 8 | — | N 8 | — | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 1 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 6 | — | 5 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 9 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | SE 2 | ESE 8 | SE 4 | E 8 | SE 4 | SE 3 | — |
| kJ | 137 | 22 | 27 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 13 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 26 | 1 | 94 | 11 | 172 | 12 | 4 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 225 | 255 | 43 | 71 | 126 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 177 | 255 | 100 | 0 | 1 | 44 | 209 | 198 | 180 |
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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