
Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, WNW swell with 258 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 6s. 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 1.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Thurso Reef over the next couple of weeks.
To be honest, for the first week and a bit it’s a bit of a write-off. The swell is small and the wind is mostly cross or cross-onshore, leaving the surface messy. There’s very little to get excited about. There’s a long stretch of poor conditions from Wednesday the 15th all the way through to the morning of Friday the 24th. That’s ten days of pretty ordinary surf where the energy is weak – mostly just a few hundred (combined energy of all swells directed here: 71 to 248) – and the period is short, so the waves are weak and lumpy. Not worth paddling out for.
The first real hope comes late in the window. Saturday the 25th is the standout. The morning shows a clean, offshore wind from the south at 15 mph, with a solid 6 ft swell from the northwest, period of 8 seconds. That’s a good size for intermediate surfers – a bit much for beginners, but fine for anyone comfortable in punchy reef waves. The combined energy of all swells directed here jumps to 434, which is a solid moderate energy. The afternoon holds up too, with a light southwesterly cross-offshore breeze, 6 ft northwest swell, and clean lines. This is the best session of the whole run.
Sunday the 26th morning also looks clean, with a light SSE cross-offshore wind and 5 ft northwest swell (combined energy of all swells directed here: 336). It’s a bit smaller but still fun. The period is 8 seconds, so it’s a short-period wind swell, but with that offshore flow it’ll be rideable and clean.
Monday the 27th morning has a bit more size at 6 ft from the west-northwest, period 9 seconds, with a light westerly cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy of all swells directed here is 458, so there’s some push there. But the conditions are described as marginal, so it might not be as tidy as the weekend.
Thurso Reef is a reef break, fairly consistent, and it handles a northwest swell well – that’s the optimum direction. Crowds are possible here, but on a Saturday morning with that quality, expect a few locals out. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.
So, if you can wait, Saturday the 25th is the one to aim for. Clean, solid, and offshore. The rest of the period is slim pickings.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the WNW by Fri afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 12 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | NW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
64 | 40 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 214 | 128 | 110 | 238 | 201 | 248 | 108 | 54 | 44 | 111 | 207 | 220 | 138 | 183 | 85 | 49 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:07AM4.91m | 10:14PM5.21m | 10:57AM4.92m | 10:59PM5.25m | 11:45AM4.85m | 11:44PM5.19m | 12:31PM4.70m | 00:29AM5.05m | 1:16PM4.50m | 1:14AM4.84m | 2:04PM4.29m | 2:03AM4.58m | 2:54PM4.11m | 2:57AM4.31m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:03PM1.40m | 4:34AM0.87m | 4:47PM1.44m | 5:20AM0.88m | 5:31PM1.54m | 6:05AM1.00m | 6:14PM1.70m | 6:51AM1.22m | 6:58PM1.91m | 7:38AM1.51m | 7:46PM2.13m | 8:29AM1.81m | 8:40PM2.34m | ||||||||
4:28 | — | — | 4:30 | — | — | 4:31 | — | — | 4:33 | — | — | 4:35 | — | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | |
— | — | 10:08 | — | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:06 | — | — | 10:05 | — | — | 10:02 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:59 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | N 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | WNW 7 | N 6 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | W 10 | N 8 | N 10 | N 9 | W 10 | W 9 |
64 | 40 | 25 | 27 | 24 | 214 | 128 | 110 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 108 | 27 | 44 | 38 | 50 | 18 | 68 | 40 | 45 | 26 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 6 | E 6 | W 12 | WNW 12 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 9 | — | — | ENE 8 | WNW 12 | N 6 | NE 7 | N 8 | N 11 | W 10 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 |
1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 29 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 6 | 30 | 12 | 2 | 11 | 10 | 48 | 1 | 35 | 21 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 18 | — | — | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 14 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | — | E 6 | E 5 | N 7 | — | — | — |
6 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 8 | 9 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 2 | SE 3 | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 7 | N 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | NW 6 |
1 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 10 | 22 | 238 | 201 | 248 | 48 | 54 | 75 | 111 | 207 | 220 | 138 | 183 | 85 | 49 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 28 | 24 | 191 | 31 | 94 | 94 | 755 | 218 | 285 | 285 | 94 | 28 | 24 | 170 | 71 | 315 | 359 | 315 | 482 | 43 |
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.










