Thurso Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ at Thurso Reef.

First up, the water temp is sitting at 55°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing crazy there.

Honestly, the next week and a half is a bit of a grind. We’ve got a long stretch of weak, small swell and average wind conditions. There’s a tiny window on Tuesday morning, the 14th of July, that’s worth a mention. The swell is only 3ft from the WNW, but it’s a longer period at 10 seconds, and the wind is clean off the ESE. The combined energy is moderate (219), so you’ll get some proper waves, but they’ll be few and far between. It’s a marginal call but the cleanest option in a dry spell.

After that, it’s back to tiny dribble for days. From the 15th right through to the 22nd of July, we’re looking at waves under 2ft—barely a ripple. The wind is mostly cross or cross-off, but there’s just no energy. The 21st of July Tuesday morning has a touch of glassy offshore wind from the SSW, but the swell is only 2ft, so it’s more of a paddle than a ride.

The real standout, and I mean the only one worth circling on the calendar, is the 24th of July. That Friday morning sees a solid 6ft WNW swell, period at 9 seconds, and a combined energy of 648—that’s strong stuff. The wind is cross-off from the west at 28 mph, which is a bit punchy, but for experienced surfers, that’s proper size and power. The Friday afternoon pushes to 7ft with even more energy (699). This is expert territory, no doubt. The swell is a bit short-period, so it’ll be a bit lumpy, but for power, it’s the best of the run.

The 25th and 26th of July drop off again, but the 26th Sunday morning has a bit of glassy 3ft with light NW wind. It’s clean, but the energy is low (120), so it’s just a cruisy session after the big stuff.

Thurso Reef is a reef break, and with that long-period groundswell—like the 12 seconds on the 19th—it can make the waves a bit too straight for a beach break, but on a reef, it’s usually better. The 19th though, the swell is tiny (1-1ft), so don’t get excited.

To sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The 14th is a quiet, clean option if you’re desperate. The 24th of July is the one—big, powerful, and only for the brave. Everything else is a wash.

Rusty.

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