Thurso Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Alright, straight up… it’s a bit of a slow burn for the next week at Thurso Reef. The first week is mostly a write-off, with a lot of cross and cross-off winds messing things up. The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until Saturday the 25th of July. That’s a solid week away.

From now until then, we’re looking at a lot of onshore and cross-shore breezes, with swell that’s under 7 ft but too choppy to get excited about. The combined swell energy is mostly in the moderate range (143 to 561), but the wind is just not playing ball. The swell direction is mostly from the WNW or NW, which is pretty much what this spot wants, but it’s all being blown out.

The water temp is sitting at 56°, which is just about normal for this time of year, so no shock there.

Saturday 25th July is the first standout. The wind finally swings to a light offshore from the SSW, and the swell picks up to a solid 7 ft to 7 ft from the WNW. The period climbs to 9-10 seconds, which is a nice groundswell, and the combined energy jumps to 621 and 842 — that’s a big step up in energy. This is a proper reef break, so that long-period swell will wrap in nicely. The offshore wind will make it clean. This is the best on offer in the whole run. The water’s still fresh, but that offshore breeze will make the session feel like a dream.

Sunday 26th July is a solid follow-up. The swell drops a bit to 5 ft in the morning and 4 ft in the afternoon, but the wind is light and cross-off, and the swell holds at 9-10 seconds. Combined energy is still moderate (446 and 319). It’ll be clean, but not as punchy as Saturday.

Thursday 30th July — and this is a warning. The swell absolutely hammers in with 10 ft to 12 ft from the WNW and a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is massive (1713 and 2493). That is way too big for anyone but the experts. The wind is cross-off and cross-on, which is a bit messy anyway. This is a big-wave day for the experienced only.

Friday 31st July is the next highlight for the second week. The swell drops to 8 ft from the WNW, combined energy is still very strong at 1325, and the wind is a gentle offshore from the W in the morning. This is excellent, clean, and powerful. The period is 10 seconds, so it’s a proper groundswell. This is a serious session for competent surfers only.

The rest of the second week fades out. The morning of Saturday 1st August has 8 ft from the NW with a clean cross-off wind, but the period drops to 8 seconds, so it’s a bit weaker and less organised. The energy is still moderate (624). By Sunday 2nd August, the swell is almost gone, with only 3 ft and a weak 8-9 second period.

So, the best call is Saturday 25th July for the best combo of size, clean offshore wind, and decent period. The Friday 31st July is a close second for the power and cleanness, but it’s only for the experienced.

Stay patient, get out there on the 25th, and it’ll be worth the wait.

Rusty.

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