Thurso Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.60° N 3.52° W

Thurso Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 31 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso Reef sea temperature is
13.3° C
0.1° 

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 31 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, N swell with 459 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period with WNW 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. 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 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Fri 31st Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 6s
Best Surf 1AM (Sun 2nd Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Most Powerful 4AM (Mon 3rd Aug)5ft (1.6m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next two weeks for Thurso Reef.

It’s a rough start, no two ways about it. From Friday, July 31st, right through the first week of August, the ocean is mostly asleep. The swell is tiny, under 2 ft, with short, weak periods and hardly any energy. The wind is a mess – cross, onshore, and cross-on – so everything is chopped up or flat. You’ll be looking at a solid ten days of nothing to surf. It’s a proper summer flat spell.

Finally, around the second weekend, we get a pulse. On Sunday, August 9th, a 7 ft swell from the WNW shows up, with energy readings of (570) and (827). The period is only 8-9 seconds, so it’s a messy wind swell, not a clean groundswell. The wind is offshore (W to NW), so it’ll be clean, but it’s a raw, lumpy wave. It’s the best thing on offer, but it’s still a marginal call with the tide.

The real window of opportunity opens on Monday, August 10th. We’ve got a cleaner 6 ft swell from the NW, with energy at (799) and (418). The wind is light and cross-off from the SE, which is perfect for this reef. The waves will be clean and surfable. It’s not the best day of the year, but after the drought, it’s a solid session. The water temperature is about 56°, which is normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good wetsuit.

After that, it fades out fast. Tuesday the 11th gives you a last chance with 4-5 ft sets and clean conditions, but by Wednesday the 12th, it’s back to small, weak dribble that lasts through the rest of the forecast. The final days are flat with glassy mornings, but zero to ride.

So, the bottom line is: the first half is a total loss. The best stretch is from Sunday, August 9th, through Tuesday, August 11th. Monday, August 10th is the standout – clean, light wind, and the most consistent size of the month. That’s your one real shot.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
0.9
NW
6
1.1
WNW
6
0.7
W
7
0.8
NNW
8
0.9
NNW
8
1.3
NNW
8
1.3
WNW
8
1.2
NNW
8
1.6
NNW
9
1.5
N
10
1.3
N
9
1.1
N
9
0.8
N
8
0.7
N
8
0.6
N
8
0.7
N
8
0.6
N
7
0.5
N
7
0.5
N
7
0.3
W
10
0.3
W
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
59
91
45
90
122
211
191
202
391
414
287
189
88
65
45
55
39
25
23
17
17
Wind (km/h)
25
WSW
10
SW
20
WSW
20
W
30
WNW
15
W
25
WNW
15
NNW
10
SE
20
E
20
ESE
20
SE
30
ESE
30
ESE
10
ESE
30
NNE
25
NNW
25
WNW
20
WNW
20
WNW
15
SW
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
off
High Tide
10:43AM4.59m
10:44PM4.94m
11:14AM4.61m
11:15PM4.95m
11:46AM4.59m
11:48PM4.91m
12:20PM4.52m
00:23AM4.81m
12:59PM4.42m
1:04AM4.67m
1:46PM4.29m
1:55AM4.48m
2:44PM4.17m
3:01AM4.28m
Low Tide
4:37PM1.63m
5:03AM1.31m
5:10PM1.63m
5:36AM1.32m
5:43PM1.68m
6:12AM1.38m
6:19PM1.78m
6:50AM1.50m
6:59PM1.93m
7:34AM1.68m
7:47PM2.10m
8:27AM1.89m
8:50PM2.27m
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light rain
part cloud
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clear
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cloud
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
heavy rain
mod rain
mod rain
clear
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part cloud
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light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:00
5:01
5:03
5:05
5:07
5:11
5:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:38
9:36
9:34
9:31
9:29
9:27
9:24
 mm
2
1
2
7
7
13
8
6
1
2
Temp °C
14
14
12
14
13
12
13
13
12
14
15
12
12
12
13
11
13
12
14
14
13
Feels °C
10
9
9
9
7
8
8
10
11
11
11
9
6
6
11
6
8
8
9
9
11
  • 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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