Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 12s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 11s period, WNW swell with 989 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Reef in the next 16 days are 2.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 8s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for the next couple of weeks.
First up, the water temp at Thurso Reef is sitting at 56°, which is bang on average for this time of year. Nothing unusual there.
The forecast kicks off Sunday the 23rd, but honestly, don’t bother paddling out. We’re looking at a small, weak 3ft swell from the WNW with a short period around 7 to 8 seconds, and the wind is all over the place. The combined wave energy is weak at 111 and 129. It’s a write-off – poor conditions.
Things start to look a little more interesting on Monday the 24th. That morning, we get a nice jump in swell to 7ft from the WNW, with a solid 11-second period, giving us moderate wave energy (973). The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the SE, so the surf will be clean. This is the best session on offer in the whole outlook. The size is a bit much for beginners, but it’s a proper groundswell hitting the reef, and with those offshore conditions, it’s going to be a standout. The afternoon holds similar quality at 6ft (763 energy), though the wind picks up a notch.
Tuesday the 25th sees the swell dropping back to 4ft in the morning, and the wind is still clean but getting stronger. By the afternoon, it’s cross-shore and messy. Still, the morning is worth a look if you’re keen.
From Wednesday the 26th all the way through to the end of the month, the surf takes a nosedive. We’re looking at tiny, weak waves – mostly under 2ft – with moderate to strong winds and a lot of cross-chop. The energy readings are all in the double digits, mostly under 100. It’s a real flat spell. There’s a glimmer on Sunday the 30th with a 6ft NNW swell, but it’s onshore and messy, so not worth the hassle.
The first week of September doesn’t bring much relief. The first few days offer small, weak swells with clean winds at times, but nothing to get excited about. The combined energy is low, and the waves are just ordinary.
The real standout in the second week is Friday the 4th of September. We’ve got a 4ft to 5ft swell from the west with a nice 11 to 12-second period, pushing moderate wave energy (420 and 534). The wind is cross-shore from the ESE, which will keep it a bit bumpy, but the swell itself has some punch. This is a promising option, but we’re a week and a half out, so keep an eye on the updates.
After that, it’s back to small, weak, and messy conditions through to the end of the outlook.
So, to wrap it up: Monday the 24th is your best bet by a long shot – clean, solid groundswell on the reef. The Friday the 4th of September session is a good secondary option if you’re planning ahead, but it’s less certain. The rest of the run is mostly flat and forgettable.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the SE by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Wed night, strong winds from the ENE by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 11 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 | E 4 | W 8 | N 6 | N 6 | N 7 | NNW 8 | N 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
77 | 123 | 452 | 973 | 763 | 562 | 317 | 137 | 69 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 70 | 59 | 27 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 169 | 925 | |
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-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:34PM4.01m | 7:22AM3.94m | 7:29PM4.24m | 8:08AM4.17m | 8:10PM4.48m | 8:43AM4.38m | 8:45PM4.70m | 9:14AM4.57m | 9:16PM4.89m | 9:44AM4.72m | 9:46PM5.03m | 10:13AM4.81m | 10:16PM5.11m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:23PM2.55m | 1:05AM2.25m | 1:18PM2.35m | 1:49AM1.97m | 1:59PM2.11m | 2:26AM1.71m | 2:35PM1.88m | 2:59AM1.48m | 3:08PM1.68m | 3:31AM1.30m | 3:40PM1.52m | 4:03AM1.17m | 4:11PM1.43m | ||||||||
5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:23 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | — | 10 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 11 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 8 | N 6 | E 9 | E 8 | N 7 | NNW 8 | E 6 |
26 | 123 | 452 | 973 | 763 | 562 | 317 | 137 | 69 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 70 | 59 | 23 | 7 | 130 | 52 | 21 | 169 | 3 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | N 8 | N 7 | N 6 | W 8 | N 6 | N 6 | E 8 | E 7 | SE 5 |
6 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 13 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 8 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | W 7 | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | — |
2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | — | — | — | SE 3 | SE 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 3 | SE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | E 4 | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | N 8 |
77 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 16 | 27 | 147 | — | — | — | — | 925 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 28 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 41 | 41 | 1 | 41 | 184 | 16 | 9 | 198 | 294 | 180 | 285 | 315 | 191 | 94 | 94 |
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.











