
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 10 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, W swell with 346 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period with W 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 10) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s. 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 1.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 2s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Thurso Reef. It’s a reef break that picks up swell from the NW, and it’s fairly consistent. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing to write home about. Gotta be honest, the first week and a half is a bit of a write-off. We’ve got a real gap here from the start all the way through to the morning of Tuesday the 14th of July with nothing worth paddling out for. The wind is mostly cross or cross-onshore, the swell is small and weak, and the energy is way down. There’s a few mornings with clean conditions, but the waves are just too small and gutless to get excited about. The combined energy barely cracks three digits, peaking at a weak 334 on Friday afternoon, but it’s too messy.
Then, on Tuesday morning the 14th of July, we finally get a little life. The wind swings cross-offshore, the swell bumps up to 4ft from the WNW with a long 11-second period. The energy jumps to 323, and it’s clean. The forecast says “expect good surf conditions,” so it’s a solid option for a mid-week paddle. It’s not a huge standout, but it’s the first real chance. The afternoon holds similar size but the energy drops a bit.
Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th are cleaner but the swell fades fast, dropping to 2ft and then 1ft, so it’s pretty ordinary. The wind stays cross-off, but there’s just not enough push.
The next real window is a long way off. We’ve got another gap of poor conditions until the morning of Wednesday the 22nd of July. That morning, the swell jumps to 7ft from the WNW, with moderate cross-off wind and clean conditions. The energy hits 545, which is getting into moderate territory, but it’s a “marginal” call, likely due to tide or the short 8-second period. This one is for the more experienced crew, as 7ft is getting up there. The afternoon is similar.
But the true standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is the morning of Thursday the 23rd of July. The wind drops to glassy – dead calm – and the swell is a solid 8ft from the west with a 10-second period. The combined energy goes through the roof at 1183. This is a serious groundswell, and with glassy conditions, it’s going to be an epic day for experienced surfers. The reef will handle that long-period energy well, but beach breaks might be a bit straight. The afternoon keeps it clean with offshore wind and 8ft, energy still over 1100. This is the best on offer, no question.
Friday the 24th of July stays solid, with 8ft from the west all day, clean conditions, and energy holding strong around 1150. The period stretches to 11 seconds on the afternoon, making for some real quality. This is a gold run for anyone who can handle the size.
Saturday the 25th of July winds down a bit, dropping to 6ft from the west with offshore wind and clean conditions, energy at 696. Still a very good day, but not the standout.
So, the pick is clear: Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th of July. Glassy or offshore winds, solid 8-8ft west swell, and massive energy. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. Come mid-week, expect crowds to be likely, as this spot is a known one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu night, min 11°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
97 | 332 | 346 | 267 | 203 | 129 | 70 | 44 | 28 | 34 | 29 | 66 | 314 | 281 | 158 | 85 | 57 | 40 | 22 | 37 | 34 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 4:44AM4.32m | 5:39PM4.30m | 5:57AM4.37m | 6:43PM4.48m | 7:09AM4.50m | 7:42PM4.70m | 8:15AM4.66m | 8:36PM4.92m | 9:14AM4.82m | 9:27PM5.10m | 10:07AM4.91m | 10:14PM5.21m | 10:57AM4.92m | 10:59PM5.25m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:26AM1.91m | 00:02AM2.14m | 12:33PM1.81m | 1:08AM1.85m | 1:33PM1.67m | 2:06AM1.53m | 2:27PM1.53m | 2:58AM1.22m | 3:16PM1.44m | 3:47AM0.99m | 4:03PM1.40m | 4:34AM0.87m | 4:47PM1.44m | ||||||||
4:20 | — | — | 4:22 | — | — | 4:24 | — | — | 4:24 | — | — | 4:26 | — | — | 4:28 | — | — | 4:30 | — | — | |
— | — | 10:15 | — | — | 10:15 | — | — | 10:14 | — | — | 10:12 | — | — | 10:10 | — | — | 10:08 | — | — | 10:07 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
97 | 332 | 346 | 267 | 203 | 129 | 70 | 44 | 28 | 34 | 29 | 66 | 314 | 281 | 158 | 85 | 57 | 40 | 22 | 37 | 34 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | NE 8 | N 7 | E 7 | NNW 6 | E 7 | NE 6 | E 7 | WNW 13 | W 19 | — | W 18 | W 18 | — | — | WNW 9 | — | — |
73 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 35 | 7 | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | 8 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | — | W 21 | — | E 6 | — | — | W 18 | W 18 | — | — | — | — | — |
8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 9 | — | 1 | — | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 2 | ESE 2 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 71 | 71 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 24 | 24 | 178 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 24 |
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.










