Thurso Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s brewing for Thurso Reef over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, the water is sitting at 56°, which is about 2° different from the long-term average – so, pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year, nothing to write home about.

The first bit of surf worth paddling out for kicks off on Saturday the 12th. We’ve got a solid 8ft swell rolling in from the WNW with a 13-second period. That's a good groundswell, and with the combined energy reading 2219 (moderate to strong) there's plenty of push. The wind is a fresh offshore from the SW in the morning, keeping things clean, and the tide could be a bit funky but it’s surfable. Saturday afternoon the swell jumps to 10ft WNW with even more energy (3242). The wind shifts to a cross-off from the WNW. It’s clean, but this size is getting up there – too big for beginners, still good for intermediates who are confident.

Sunday the 13th is where we might see the pick of the first week. Morning brings 7ft WNW at 11 seconds, combined energy at 979 (moderate). A gentle cross-off breeze keeps the surface tidy. But the real standout is Sunday afternoon: the swell drops a bit to 6ft WNW with a 10-second period, and the wind goes glassy – dead calm from the north. That’s clean as a whistle (732 combined energy). This is when you want to be out there, as the waves will have shape and the crowd is possible, so get in early.

Monday the 14th sees smaller waves. Morning is 3ft NNW with a 12-second period (385 combined energy) – not much to get excited about. The afternoon picks up a touch with 5ft W at 9 seconds (539) and a light SSW offshore, but it’s not firing.

Tuesday the 15th has a 7ft WNW in the morning with a 10-second period (1001 energy) and a cross-off wind. It’s a bit lumpy though, so not a standout. Afternoon goes flat with poor conditions.

Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th are pretty grim – small, messy, cross-onshore winds. Not worth the wetsuit.

Friday the 18th through to the end of the forecast window is where things get interesting, but only for the experienced crew. From Friday the 18th right through to Wednesday the 23rd, we’ve got a huge run of solid to XXL swell. Friday morning hits 12ft WNW with a 13-second period and 4318 combined energy (strong). The wind is offshore from the WSW, so it’s clean, but this size is too big for anyone but experts. Saturday the 19th keeps up the 10–12ft WNW swells with strong offshore winds. The combined energy stays well above 2000. Sunday the 20th is the biggest of the bunch – 15ft WNW in the morning (8559 energy, very strong) with a 14-second period. The wind is howling at 28 mph from the west, creating a cross-off. This is serious, powerful surf – not for the faint-hearted.

Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd stay huge, well over 13ft, with offshore winds and clean conditions, but again, only for the experts. The combined energy readings are through the roof, over 4000 each session.

Wednesday the 23rd finally drops down to a manageable 5ft W at 10 seconds (579 energy) with a light cross-off breeze. This is the first day in a week that might be comfortable for intermediates again.

Then Thursday the 24th is another absolute monster – 28ft WNW with a 13-second period (23088 combined energy). That’s enormous, and unless you’re a tow-in charger, it’s a spectator day. Friday the 25th is still big at 8ft WNW but with a strong cross-off wind – marginal at best.

Saturday the 26th is small and sloppy, and Sunday the 27th is a write-off with near-gale force winds and huge, messy 10ft WNW swells from the west with a 15–16 second period (over 4000 energy). Not surfable.

So, the standout sessions? Sunday the 13th afternoon – glassy, clean, 6ft WNW swell – that’s your best bet for the whole forecast. If you’re an expert and want a big, clean challenge, the run from Friday the 18th to Sunday the 20th offers some incredible, powerful groundswell, but it’s not for the average surfer.

Overall, there’s a week of small to moderate surf starting Saturday the 12th, then a long gap of huge, expert-only swell from Friday the 18th to Wednesday the 23rd, before it drops back down. Plan your sessions carefully.

Rusty.

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