Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 6s period, NNW swell with 309 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s. 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 2.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) 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 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Thurso Reef in language that makes sense for a real surfer. Straight up, this is a grim start. For the first several days, there’s nothing doing. We’re looking at tiny, gutless waves – 1 to 2 feet from the west or north-west – with short, weak periods. You’d be wasting your time. The wind is mostly cross-off or sideshore, but with no swell, it doesn’t matter.
The first day that even deserves a mention is Sunday, August 30th. The morning sees a weak 3-foot swell from the north-northwest with a light cross-off breeze. Clean, but ordinary. The afternoon goes glassy and the swell holds at 3 feet from the north. It’s small, but the ocean is finally starting to breathe. Not a cracker, just a hint.
Then on Monday, September 1st, the afternoon brings a light rain shower and a solid 35 km/h offshore wind from the south-southwest. That wind is fresh and clean. The swell jumps to about 5 feet from the north, but the period is a short, sloppy 6 seconds. Wave energy is moderate at 206. It’ll be a rough, bumpy ride, but for the experienced guys, it’s something to look at. The rest of the week is a write-off – strong winds, messy conditions, or flat spells.
The real gem in this forecast is the afternoon of Saturday, September 5th. The morning is clear with a strong 50 km/h cross-off wind from the west. Even with that wind, it’s clean. Swell is 3 feet from the west-northwest with a 10-second period and a solid 175 wave energy. But the afternoon is the one: still that clean cross-off, but the swell doubles to about 6 feet from the west-northwest, still with that deep 10-second pulse, and the energy jumps to a ripping 576. That is the best of the whole 16 days. It’s big – too much for beginners – but for intermediates who know this reef, it’s a proper session. The direction (WNW) is dead on for Thurso’s optimum (NW). Just be ready for crowds, because this spot can get busy.
Sunday the 6th still has some size – 5 feet – but it goes sideshore and choppy, with strong energy at 321, but not the same quality. After that, it fades into small, onshore slop.
Water temp is around 57°F for the first part, which is about average for this time of year. Thurso is a reef break, so on that big Saturday afternoon, you’ll get proper, lined-up waves if you’re in the right spot. The first week is a hard wait, but that single afternoon on the 5th of September is the one to pin your hopes on.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | NNE 4 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | W 10 | W 9 | N 6 | NW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 19 | 12 | 22 | 67 | 57 | 35 | 11 | 32 | 39 | 71 | 21 | 60 | 82 | 106 | 70 | 61 | 45 | 48 | 57 | 163 | 69 |
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 | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross |
High Tide | 8:45PM4.70m | 9:14AM4.57m | 9:16PM4.89m | 9:44AM4.72m | 9:46PM5.03m | 10:13AM4.81m | 10:16PM5.11m | 10:42AM4.84m | 10:47PM5.13m | 11:13AM4.82m | 11:19PM5.06m | 11:47AM4.72m | 11:55PM4.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:35PM1.88m | 2:59AM1.48m | 3:08PM1.68m | 3:31AM1.30m | 3:40PM1.52m | 4:03AM1.17m | 4:11PM1.43m | 4:35AM1.10m | 4:44PM1.40m | 5:08AM1.12m | 5:17PM1.45m | 5:43AM1.23m | 5:54PM1.57m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | |  | | | |  | | | | |  | |  | | |
 | 5:56 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 7 |
Temp °C | 15 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | N 6 | N 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | W 6 | W 9 | W 8 | N 8 |
| kJ | 19 | 11 | 10 | 67 | 57 | 35 | 19 | 50 | 66 | 71 | 21 | 60 | 82 | 106 | 70 | 61 | 45 | 32 | 57 | 35 | 18 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 8 | WNW 11 | N 8 | N 7 | N 6 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | E 7 | NW 4 | E 6 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 11 | N 8 | N 8 | ESE 5 | W 8 |
| kJ | — | 12 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 27 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 21 | 42 | 18 | 2 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | N 6 | — | — | W 7 | ESE 7 | W 10 | — | W 8 | W 12 | W 11 | ESE 4 | W 10 | N 7 | W 7 | SE 5 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 9 | 2 | — | 1 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 48 | 9 | 8 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | SE 3 | SE 3 | SE 4 | ESE 6 | ENE 4 | NNE 4 | N 6 | NNW 6 | — | — | — | E 3 | E 3 | ENE 3 | — | — | E 4 | N 6 | NW 5 |
| kJ | 8 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 32 | 39 | 12 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 4 | — | — | 7 | 163 | 69 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 177 | 184 | 89 | 1 | 9 | 419 | 413 | 235 | 209 | 94 | 141 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 596 | 426 | 1 | 89 | 617 | 517 |
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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