Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, W swell with 651 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Reef in the next 16 days are 2.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
It’s a bit of a slow start, with nothing really worth paddling out for until Tuesday the 28th of July. The best bet by a long shot comes mid-week, with a window of clean, solid surf that’s got some real punch. After that, it fades into a long stretch of poor conditions, so don't sleep on the early days.
The standout is Tuesday afternoon, July 28th at Thurso Reef. The wind swings offshore from the southwest at 9 mph, keeping things clean. You’ve got a 4 ft swell rolling in from the north, with a 9-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 379, and it’s just a nice, rideable size. It’s not huge, but it’s got shape and the conditions are right. Expect some company though – crowds are possible here.
Then, Wednesday morning, July 29th is the real heavyweight. The swell jumps to 7 ft from the west, with a 9-second period, and the combined energy is a solid 725. That’s a proper, powerful reef break. The wind is a cross-off from the southwest at 19 mph, which will keep it clean enough for the experienced crew. This one’s for the intermediates and up – 7 ft is pushing it for beginners.
But if you really want to be in the water when it’s special, keep an eye on Wednesday afternoon, August 5th. That’s a full week away, so it’s a long-range call, but the forecast is mouth-watering. The swell is predicted to be 10 ft from the north, with an 8-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 1018. The wind? Glassy, from the south at just 3 mph. That’s a serious, powerful, and clean setup. However, that size is strictly for experts only. For the rest of us, it’s a day to watch from the cliffs.
The water temperature is sitting at 56°, which is spot on for the time of year, so no surprises there.
After that glorious August 5th window, it all goes quiet. The rest of the forecast through to August 12th is a long run of poor surf, with tiny waves, onshore or cross-shore winds, and very little energy. It’s a blank run, but for this area, it’s not unusual to see a stretch like this.
Stay sharp, get on those good days, and don’t bother with the rest.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Wed morning, calm by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | NW 10 | NNW 8 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NNW 8 | N 8 | W 7 | W 8 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 243 | 246 | 214 | 651 | 454 | 222 | 126 | 223 | 220 | 64 | 60 | 62 | 67 | 79 | 277 | 265 | 211 | 123 | 265 | 173 | 70 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:09PM4.66m | 9:40AM4.43m | 9:42PM4.80m | 10:12AM4.53m | 10:14PM4.89m | 10:43AM4.59m | 10:44PM4.94m | 11:14AM4.61m | 11:15PM4.95m | 11:46AM4.59m | 11:48PM4.91m | 12:20PM4.52m | 00:23AM4.81m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:55PM1.92m | 3:24AM1.58m | 3:30PM1.78m | 3:58AM1.44m | 4:04PM1.69m | 4:30AM1.35m | 4:37PM1.63m | 5:03AM1.31m | 5:10PM1.63m | 5:36AM1.32m | 5:43PM1.68m | 6:12AM1.38m | 6:19PM1.78m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | |  | | | |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 4:52 | — | — | 4:56 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:03 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:43 | — | — | 9:40 | — | — | 9:38 | — | — | 9:36 | — | — | 9:34 | — | — | 9:31 |
mm | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 10 | 17 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 9 | N 9 | W 9 | N 9 | N 9 | NW 10 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | — | NW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 |
| kJ | 243 | 246 | 214 | 74 | 55 | 222 | 126 | 22 | 31 | 64 | 60 | 62 | 63 | 43 | 17 | — | 211 | 123 | 265 | 173 | 70 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | N 9 | — | N 8 | W 8 | W 7 | SE 5 | — | NW 7 | N 7 | SE 6 | W 11 | W 10 | — | — | NNW 10 | N 9 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | W 9 |
| kJ | 207 | 133 | 160 | — | 6 | 124 | 51 | 1 | — | 23 | 28 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 10 | 74 | 26 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 3 | SSE 4 | — | — | N 8 | N 10 | — | — | N 8 | — | — | S 5 | — | — | — | N 11 | WNW 7 | W 10 | W 9 | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 21 | 2 | — | — | 32 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 9 | 49 | 7 | 7 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 9 | W 8 | — | — | NW 7 | WNW 7 | SSW 3 | — | W 5 | W 6 | W 7 | W 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | — | SE 3 | SE 4 | ESE 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 651 | 454 | — | — | 223 | 220 | 4 | — | 28 | 67 | 79 | 277 | 265 | 124 | — | 3 | 11 | 66 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 136 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 1179 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 952 | 962 | 292 | 26 | 71 | 1 | 41 | 41 | 41 |
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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