Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period, W swell with 882 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. 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 2.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Thurso Reef. It’s a proper reef set-up, exposed to the swell, and it’s fairly consistent, so it’s got potential. But we’ve got a bit of a wait on our hands, I’m not gonna lie.
The first week and a bit is a write-off, honestly. From the 18th of August right through to the morning of the 24th, it’s just poor. The wind is howling out of the north and northwest, smashing the place up with a fresh breeze, making it lumpy and choppy. The swell’s all over the shop, short period stuff, just not worth your time. It’s a real flat spell for any decent paddle surfing.
Then, we finally get a little window. The afternoon of Monday the 24th of August is the standout. We’ve got a 6ft swell rolling in from the WNW with a period of 11 seconds, which is proper groundswell. The combined energy is a solid 800 (moderate), and the wind is a light cross-offshore from the SSE, which should keep it clean. That’s the best on offer, no question. It’s not huge, but it’s got shape and energy. The water is about average for the time of year, sitting around 57°F.
The rest of that week is a bit of a mixed bag. The 27th of August, Thursday afternoon, could be a sneaky one. The swell is only 4ft from the WNW, but the wind is glassy – a dead calm 3 mph from the NW. That’s a major positive, so you’ll get clean, smooth lines across the reef, even if the swell is a little smaller. The energy is moderate (261).
Looking further ahead, the morning of Sunday the 30th of August has a bit of size, with a 7ft swell from the west and a moderate offshore wind. That’s getting into the bigger stuff, so it’s for the more experienced crew. The energy is strong (626). But it’s a long way out, so treat that as promising but not locked in. After that, it drops back off again.
So, for the whole 16 days, the only real shout is that Monday afternoon the 24th. Don’t get your hopes up for the rest of it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the N by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Fri night, light winds from the WSW by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | N 7 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | N 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 17 | 74 | 387 | 257 | 124 | 211 | 236 | 219 | 139 | 132 | 111 | 114 | 72 | 47 | 42 | 80 | 102 | 176 | 783 | 603 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:17AM4.51m | 1:52PM4.13m | 2:06AM4.17m | 2:44PM3.95m | 3:10AM3.88m | 3:54PM3.84m | 4:38AM3.72m | 5:18PM3.86m | 6:14AM3.76m | 6:34PM4.01m | 7:22AM3.94m | 7:29PM4.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:03PM1.99m | 7:36AM1.93m | 7:49PM2.25m | 8:23AM2.27m | 8:51PM2.49m | 9:29AM2.54m | 10:25PM2.60m | 11:03AM2.65m | 00:01AM2.49m | 12:23PM2.55m | 1:05AM2.25m | 1:18PM2.35m | 1:49AM1.97m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | |  | | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — |
 | 8:53 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — |
mm | 5 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | N 9 | NNE 9 | W 8 | WNW 5 | WNW 9 | NNE 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | W 10 |
| kJ | 17 | 64 | 387 | 257 | 123 | 71 | 46 | 25 | 12 | 12 | 42 | 28 | 1 | 28 | 27 | 12 | 102 | 176 | 783 | 603 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | W 12 | NNE 7 | SE 4 | — | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 10 | N 8 | NNE 8 | — | WNW 10 | NNE 7 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 |
| kJ | 9 | 74 | 15 | 1 | — | 15 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 47 | 13 | — | 10 | 5 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | N 7 | — | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | W 11 | W 10 | N 6 | — | NNE 8 | N 13 | NNE 7 | NE 7 |
| kJ | 5 | 15 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 8 | 1 | — | 6 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | — | ENE 4 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | SSE 2 | — |
| kJ | 17 | — | 7 | 68 | 124 | 211 | 236 | 219 | 139 | 132 | 111 | 114 | 72 | — | 42 | 80 | — | — | 1 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 24 | 1 | 9 | 347 | 94 | 364 | 757 | 191 | 225 | 218 | 218 | 255 | 218 | 43 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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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