Thurso Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.60° N 3.52° W

Thurso Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 11 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso Reef sea temperature is
12.6° C
0.2° 

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 11 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 13 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 7s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 11s period, W swell with 242 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 7s 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Reef in the next 16 days are 1.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Mon 13th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 7s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 13th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 7s
Most Powerful 4PM (Tue 14th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 11s

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


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

First up, the water temp is sitting at 55°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing crazy there.

Honestly, the next week and a half is a bit of a grind. We’ve got a long stretch of weak, small swell and average wind conditions. There’s a tiny window on Tuesday morning, the 14th of July, that’s worth a mention. The swell is only 3ft from the WNW, but it’s a longer period at 10 seconds, and the wind is clean off the ESE. The combined energy is moderate (219), so you’ll get some proper waves, but they’ll be few and far between. It’s a marginal call but the cleanest option in a dry spell.

After that, it’s back to tiny dribble for days. From the 15th right through to the 22nd of July, we’re looking at waves under 2ft—barely a ripple. The wind is mostly cross or cross-off, but there’s just no energy. The 21st of July Tuesday morning has a touch of glassy offshore wind from the SSW, but the swell is only 2ft, so it’s more of a paddle than a ride.

The real standout, and I mean the only one worth circling on the calendar, is the 24th of July. That Friday morning sees a solid 6ft WNW swell, period at 9 seconds, and a combined energy of 648—that’s strong stuff. The wind is cross-off from the west at 28 mph, which is a bit punchy, but for experienced surfers, that’s proper size and power. The Friday afternoon pushes to 7ft with even more energy (699). This is expert territory, no doubt. The swell is a bit short-period, so it’ll be a bit lumpy, but for power, it’s the best of the run.

The 25th and 26th of July drop off again, but the 26th Sunday morning has a bit of glassy 3ft with light NW wind. It’s clean, but the energy is low (120), so it’s just a cruisy session after the big stuff.

Thurso Reef is a reef break, and with that long-period groundswell—like the 12 seconds on the 19th—it can make the waves a bit too straight for a beach break, but on a reef, it’s usually better. The 19th though, the swell is tiny (1-1ft), so don’t get excited.

To sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The 14th is a quiet, clean option if you’re desperate. The 24th of July is the one—big, powerful, and only for the brave. Everything else is a wash.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
W
9
0.9
WNW
9
0.7
WNW
8
0.6
W
8
0.5
WNW
7
0.6
WNW
8
0.6
WNW
8
0.5
W
7
0.9
WNW
10
1
W
11
0.8
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.5
W
9
0.4
W
9
0.3
W
10
0.3
W
8
0.3
W
9
0.3
W
8
0.3
W
8
0.3
W
8
0.2
W
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
203
129
70
43
31
51
47
28
132
242
127
64
39
25
16
13
13
12
12
12
5
Wind (km/h)
10
ENE
10
ESE
10
ESE
15
E
10
SE
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
SE
15
ESE
20
ESE
15
SE
20
SE
20
ESE
15
SE
15
SE
20
SE
15
SE
15
SE
20
SE
15
SE
5
S
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
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
11:45AM4.85m
11:44PM5.19m
12:31PM4.70m
Low Tide
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
5:20AM0.88m
5:31PM1.54m
6:05AM1.00m
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:24
4:24
4:26
4:28
4:30
4:31
4:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:15
10:14
10:12
10:10
10:08
10:07
10:06
10:05
 mm
Temp °C
12
12
14
13
12
14
15
12
17
17
17
19
18
17
20
22
20
23
23
19
21
Feels °C
10
10
11
9
9
10
11
10
14
14
14
15
14
15
17
19
18
20
20
16
21
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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