Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, W swell with 678 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m 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 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 1.5m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
| 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 break down the next sixteen days for Thurso Reef. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but we’ve got a couple of moments worth paddling out for.
The start of the period is a bit of a write-off, to be honest. Monday the 27th has some swell, around 6ft from the west, but that 19 mph cross-off wind is going to throw a lot of spray and make it a battle. The water is sitting at 55°, which is bang on average for the time of year, nothing unusual there. The combined energy is moderate (1087), but the conditions just aren’t cooperating. Don’t bother.
We’ve got a few days of marginal stuff, nothing really clicking until we get to Wednesday the 5th of August. Now, that’s a standout. Wednesday morning we’ve got a clean 4ft swell from the west-northwest, period is a short 6 seconds, so it’ll be a bit fat and weak, but the wind is light and cross-offshore. That’s the key – it’s going to be glassy, clean, and the reef will organise that short-period energy into something rideable. The combined energy is low (211), but it’s the best on offer by a long shot. The swell is small enough for beginners, and the offshore wind means it’ll be a joy. Thurso Reef is a reef break, fairly consistent, and it can get crowded sometimes, but on a Wednesday morning with a small forecast, you might get a few waves to yourself.
After that, it fades. Friday the 7th of August has a bump of 5ft from the west-northwest again, but the wind is onshore or cross-shore, and the quality is just not there. It’s a “look but don’t jump” situation. Then from the 8th onwards, it drops off a cliff. The swell fades to almost nothing, with combined energy dropping into the double digits (even as low as 10 and 8 by the 11th). That’s a gap of several days with no real surf. The reef won’t break at 0.7ft, and the wind, while sometimes offshore, can’t work any magic on flat water. This is a classic summer lull for this area.
The one to go for: Wednesday morning, 5th August. Thurso Reef. 4ft WNW swell, light cross-offshore wind, clean. It’s not big, but it’s the only window of quality.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 | W 10 | NNW 9 | N 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NNW 8 | N 8 | W 6 | N 8 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 307 | 326 | 243 | 246 | 188 | 678 | 509 | 176 | 122 | 242 | 330 | 219 | 115 | 144 | 123 | 42 | 268 | 416 | 653 | 409 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | off |
High Tide | 8:32PM4.50m | 9:05AM4.29m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:49AM1.76m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | |  |  | | | |  | | | | |  | |  | | |
 | — | — | 4:52 | — | — | 4:56 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:03 | — | — |
 | — | 9:46 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:43 | — | — | 9:40 | — | — | 9:38 | — | — | 9:36 | — | — | 9:34 |
mm | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 10 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | N 9 | W 9 | W 9 | N 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | — | NNW 8 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 |
| kJ | 307 | 289 | 243 | 246 | 188 | 678 | 56 | 176 | 122 | 23 | 10 | 48 | 115 | 144 | 64 | 42 | — | 78 | 653 | 409 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | W 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | S 6 | W 11 | W 10 | — | — | — | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 290 | 326 | 207 | 133 | 157 | 76 | 6 | 74 | 22 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 50 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SE 3 | SSE 4 | SE 6 | SE 6 | NW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 67 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | NW 7 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | — |
| kJ | 77 | — | — | — | — | — | 509 | — | 68 | 242 | 330 | 219 | 115 | 101 | 123 | 126 | 268 | 416 | 110 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 141 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 26 | 28 | 53 | 1179 | 1 | 1 | 375 | 0 | 71 | 674 | 617 | 596 | 426 | 0 |
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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