Thurso Reef Surf Break

Thurso Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 58.60° N 3.52° W

Issued: 12 am 04 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso Reef sea temperature is
12.1° C

Normal for this time of year

Thurso Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Thurso Reef surf forecast from 4 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 7 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, W swell with 1,034 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 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 Saturday (Jul 04) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 10s period. 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Sat 4th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s
Best Surf 1AM (Tue 7th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 1AM (Tue 7th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what’s coming up for Thurso Reef. This spot is a reef setup, so it needs the right direction to get good. The 16-day window has a few moments of hope, but it’s not all glory.

Overall, we’re looking at a run that’s a bit of a mixed bag. The first decent window hits early on, with some proper swell energy rolling in. The best of the whole outlook looks to be the morning of Saturday the 5th of July. We’ve got a northwest swell sitting at 6ft with an 11-second period, and the wind is a gentle, glassy offshore from the SSW. The wave energy is solid (561) and it’s the pick of the period. That’s the stand-out session, no doubt about it. After that, the quality gets messy. The wind turns cross-off or onshore for most of the following days, and the swell direction swings a bit, though the size stays around 4ft to 6ft for a few days. Tuesday the 8th of July morning has some size at 6ft, but it’s a 10-second west swell with a moderate cross-off breeze, so it’s not as clean as that Saturday.

There’s a quiet patch mid-week with smaller waves, but then we get a real treat. The morning of Tuesday the 15th of July looks promising. The forecast shows a 6ft west swell and glassy conditions. The wave energy is pumping at 582, and with the wind dead calm, it’s going to be clean. That’s another true standout, especially for a reef break like this where the long-period swell (10 seconds) will line up nicely. Be aware that water temps at this time of year are about average for the area.

After that, the second week fades. The wind gets messy, the swell drops off, and we end up with a lot of poor or marginal conditions. The swell energy dips into the double digits, and the setup looks more like a kite-surfing day than a paddle session towards the end of the run. The crowds at Thurso Reef can show up, so get in early on those good days.

Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Mon night, calm by Wed night).

Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
!
2
1
2
2
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
W
10
1.8
W
10
1.6
WNW
9
1.3
WNW
9
1
WNW
9
0.9
WNW
8
0.7
W
8
0.8
W
8
3
W
8
1.9
W
8
1.6
W
9
2.2
W
7
1.8
W
9
1.7
W
9
1.4
W
9
1
W
9
0.9
W
9
1
W
9
0.8
W
9
0.7
W
9
0.9
W
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
561
589
383
243
162
120
71
89
1034
441
381
496
506
495
318
160
127
153
93
74
184
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
30
W
15
WNW
10
W
5
NNE
5
ENE
10
SE
15
WSW
35
W
20
W
10
WNW
25
W
20
W
25
WNW
5
SSW
0
ENE
15
E
15
SE
20
SE
30
SE
25
SE
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
12:16PM4.34m
00:15AM4.66m
12:55PM4.28m
00:54AM4.60m
1:39PM4.22m
1:39AM4.51m
2:30PM4.17m
2:32AM4.42m
3:28PM4.15m
3:34AM4.35m
4:32PM4.19m
4:44AM4.32m
5:39PM4.30m
Low Tide
6:03AM1.56m
6:08PM1.95m
6:41AM1.62m
6:47PM2.05m
7:22AM1.70m
7:31PM2.16m
8:10AM1.79m
8:23PM2.27m
9:06AM1.88m
9:27PM2.34m
10:13AM1.93m
10:45PM2.31m
11:26AM1.91m
00:02AM2.14m
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
mod rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:13
4:13
4:15
4:16
4:18
4:18
4:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:22
10:22
10:21
10:20
10:19
10:16
10:15
 mm
4
2
8
3
3
3
8
Temp °C
15
13
13
14
13
12
14
14
13
13
13
14
18
19
16
20
20
17
20
19
15
Feels °C
12
8
9
11
12
11
13
12
8
9
12
10
14
15
16
19
19
15
16
15
11
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
W
10
1.6
WNW
9
1.3
WNW
9
1
WNW
9
0.9
WNW
8
0.7
W
8
0.5
NNW
8
0.6
N
9
0.8
N
9
0.8
N
9
0.6
N
8
0.5
N
7
0.5
N
8
1.4
W
9
1
W
9
0.9
W
9
1
W
9
0.8
W
9
0.7
W
9
0.9
W
11
Energy kJ
561
383
243
162
120
71
41
63
113
99
46
26
32
318
160
127
153
93
74
184
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
8
0.4
NNW
10
0.2
SSE
3
0.2
N
9
0.4
N
7
0.3
N
7
0.3
N
6
0.2
N
7
0.2
N
7
0.2
ESE
4
0.2
ESE
5
Energy kJ
1
30
1
7
17
8
7
4
4
2
2
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
N
5
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
10
0.2
N
11
0.1
N
10
0.1
N
9
0.2
N
9
0.2
N
9
Energy kJ
2
3
2
9
2
2
6
6
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
W
10
0.8
W
8
3
W
8
1.9
W
8
1.6
W
9
2.2
W
7
1.8
W
9
1.7
W
9
0.3
SE
2
0.5
SE
4
0.5
WNW
4
Energy kJ
589
89
1034
441
381
496
506
495
1
6
7
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
Distance (km)
0
770
26
0
9
1
0
1
375
26
1
26
26
26
0
0
1
0
1
41
41
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
9
7
7
5
8
7
5
6
9
8
9
8
5
5
5
4
9
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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