Thurso Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Thurso Reef over the next couple of weeks. This is a classic reef that loves a good NW swell, but we’ve got a lot of oversized conditions ahead.

The surf kicks off Tuesday, 15th September, and the first couple of days are pretty poor. Tuesday morning has a weak 3ft W swell at 11 seconds, but that cross-on NW wind at 12 mph is making a mess. The combined energy is weak at 330. Choppy and not worth it. Tuesday afternoon is the same story.

Wednesday the 16th morning is still messy with a 4ft W swell and cross-winds. But the afternoon? The wind shifts cross-offshore from the WSW at 9 mph, cleaning it right up. That 4ft W swell at 11 seconds has a combined energy of 638 – moderate. It’ll be clean and fun for an intermediate surfer, but not the standout.

Now things get heavy. From Thursday the 17th through the end of the week, the swell just keeps building and gets too big for this reef. Thursday morning has an 8ft W swell at 10 seconds (energy 1034), with a strong 22 mph offshore SW wind keeping it clean – but 8ft is pushing it for most. By the afternoon, we’re looking at 10ft W swell at 11 seconds (energy 1982), and it’s marked as too big.

Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th are massive – 15ft and 12ft WNW swells with 13-second periods, energy in the thousands. Cross-offshore winds keep it clean, but this is strictly for experts. Sunday the 20th and Monday the 21st stay in the 10ft to 12ft range with strong winds. Too big.

Now, here’s the best window. Monday the 21st morning and afternoon drop to a manageable 8ft and 7ft W swell at 11 seconds, with light 6 mph winds – offshore in the morning, cross-off in the afternoon – keeping it clean. The combined energy is solid (1389 and 1087 – moderate to strong), and the forecast says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. This is the standout. Crowds are “sometimes” around, so you might see a few others, but it won’t be a zoo. If you’ve got the skill, Monday is your day.

Tuesday the 22nd morning drops to 5ft, but the period is short at 10 seconds, and the wind is a bit breezier at 12 mph. It’s clean but not as good. Tuesday afternoon jumps back to 8ft but with a massive 16-second period – that’s a very long-period groundswell. Combined energy is 3742, strong, but that high period can make it a bit straight – still, on a reef, it could be fun. Just note a cross-shore wind will add a little chop.

Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th are back to huge swells – 10ft to 13ft – too big for the break.

Friday the 25th morning is more user-friendly with a 5ft W swell at 11 seconds, clean offshore winds from the SE at 9 mph. Energy is 985 – moderate. Good for a relaxed session on a longboard.

Then from Saturday the 26th of September, it’s massive again – 13ft and 12ft WNW swells with 14-second periods, energy in the five-to-six-thousands. For experts only.

Sunday the 27th and Monday the 28th morning drop right off – 2ft to 4ft with weak energy – flat and poor. But Monday afternoon? 16ft W swell at 9 seconds, energy 3612. That’s a big messy cross-shore wind swell – not surfable.

The last couple of days, Tuesday the 29th and Wednesday the 30th, stay too big with 16ft and 6ft swells – all too big.

So, overall, there’s a ton of swell, but most of it is too raw. The clear winner is Monday the 21st of September – that 7ft to 8ft W swell with light, clean winds is going to give you some great, clean waves. If you’re experienced, mark that date.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty

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