Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 12s period, W swell with 1,684 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s 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 (Aug 31) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s is also forecast. 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 2.4m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 4AM. 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 (Sep 01) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Thurso Reef.
Honestly, for the next week and a half, it’s a pretty grim picture. The first solid recommendation doesn’t show up until the 12th of September, so we’re looking at a long stretch of flat, messy, or just plain poor surf before that. We’ve got weak, short-period windswells, mostly under 2 feet, and crossed-up winds.
The first real glimmer of hope arrives on Saturday morning, 12th September. The swell is a solid 10 feet from the west, with a period of 11 seconds. That’s a lot of water moving – the combined energy is a massive 2962 (strong to very strong). The issue is, it’s just too big for this reef. It’s a beast, and only for the brave experts. Winds are light from the northwest, which is cross, so it’s not going to be clean. It’s a day to watch from the cliff.
The standout, the real highlight, is Sunday, 13th September. The morning is the best of the whole run. We’re still looking at a big 8 feet swell from the west-northwest, but now the wind is light and offshore from the west. That’s “clean” surf. The period is a solid 9 seconds, so it’s got some push. The combined energy is still very strong at 1205. This is a proper, powerful, groundswell session. It’s a big wave, so experts only, but if you’ve got the skills, this is the day. The afternoon sees the wind shift to a cross-shore, making it a bit lumpy, so the morning window is the magic window.
After that, Monday morning on the 14th still has 8 feet surf, but the wind is a moderate cross-off, so it’s still clean and rideable, but the energy is dropping a bit. It’s a decent option, but Sunday morning is the one to circle.
This isn’t a spot for beginners. When the swell is under 5 feet, it’s usually in the poor category here. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
To sum it up: a long, flat wait, then a spike of big, powerful, expert-only surf on the 12th and 13th. Sunday morning, the 13th, is your best bet.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Sat night, strong winds from the W by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the W by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | W 9 | N 6 | W 7 | W 9 | WNW 6 | NNW 7 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | W 6 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 72 | 43 | 21 | 15 | 7 | 152 | 26 | 139 | 143 | 755 | 520 | 290 | 151 | 261 | 1681 | 1269 | 933 | 646 | 229 | 230 | 79 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:42AM4.84m | 10:47PM5.13m | 11:13AM4.82m | 11:19PM5.06m | 11:47AM4.72m | 11:55PM4.92m | 12:25PM4.57m | 00:38AM4.69m | 1:11PM4.38m | 1:32AM4.40m | 2:10PM4.17m | 2:47AM4.12m | 3:31PM4.04m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:35AM1.10m | 4:44PM1.40m | 5:08AM1.12m | 5:17PM1.45m | 5:43AM1.23m | 5:54PM1.57m | 6:21AM1.42m | 6:34PM1.76m | 7:04AM1.70m | 7:23PM1.99m | 7:57AM2.02m | 8:29PM2.21m | 9:12AM2.31m | 10:04PM2.29m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  |  | |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:04 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 5 |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | W 7 | W 9 | W 9 | NNW 7 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 |
| kJ | 72 | 43 | 21 | 12 | 7 | 152 | 26 | 23 | 143 | 755 | 520 | 290 | 151 | 81 | 1681 | 1269 | 933 | 646 | 229 | 230 | 79 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | — | W 10 | N 7 | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | ESE 5 | SE 5 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 8 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 8 | 15 | — | 18 | 10 | — | 84 | 49 | 32 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 38 | 21 | 20 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 29 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 6 | W 8 | W 11 | N 9 | N 7 | SSW 4 | — | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | SE 6 | — | — | SE 6 | — | — | — | N 8 | N 7 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 2 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | SE 2 | W 4 | — | W 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | SE 4 | SSW 4 | W 6 | W 6 | — | — | — | — | W 4 | — | SE 3 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 55 | — | 96 | 139 | — | — | 27 | 11 | 146 | 261 | — | — | — | — | 32 | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 41 | 16 | 170 | 596 | 0 | 596 | 389 | 0 | 9 | 41 | 0 | 417 | 375 | 617 | 617 | 617 | 593 | 579 | 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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