Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 8 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period, W swell with 326 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 08) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 6s. 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 1.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
Alright crew, Rusty here to break down the next couple of weeks at Thurso Reef. It’s a tale of patience, with a big payoff for those who wait.
We start with a long, quiet period. For the first week and a half, the surf is small and messy. Most of the days have cross-on or onshore wind, making it bumpy. Don't bother paddling out unless you just want a float.
The first clean session is on Thursday the 9th in the morning. The swell is small, only about 4ft from the W, but the wind is a light S cross-off, so it’ll be clean. The wave energy is moderate (216). It’s the best of a bleak lot, but it's not the one.
The real action is way out, on Monday the 20th of July. After almost no swell for days, the ocean fires up. Saturday the 19th afternoon is a preview with 2ft from the W and fair cross-shore wind, energy at (99). Not bad.
Monday the 20th of July is the big one. The morning serves up a solid 7ft swell from the N, but it’ll be dead flat calm – glassy conditions with no wind at all. The wave energy is strong at (660). This is a proper reef-busting swell. The period is only 8 seconds, so it won't have that long, drawn-out power of a true groundswell, but there's plenty of grunt. At this size, it’s only for the experts. The direction is a little off the optimum NW, but with the glass you won't care. Expect crowds if the spot is working.
If Monday looks too heavy, Tuesday the 21st morning is a gentler 4ft from the N, also glassy. But the period drops to 6 seconds, so the energy is much weaker at (135). It’s just surfable.
So, hang tight. A long gap, then a proper punch on Monday the 20th for the big-wave crew. After that, it fades fast.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon night, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 106 | 106 | 282 | 196 | 299 | 180 | 99 | 326 | 273 | 273 | 212 | 162 | 84 | 58 | 43 | 43 | 42 | 150 | 260 | 318 | 240 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:28PM4.15m | 3:34AM4.35m | 4:32PM4.19m | 4:44AM4.32m | 5:39PM4.30m | 5:57AM4.37m | 6:43PM4.48m | 7:09AM4.50m | 7:42PM4.70m | 8:15AM4.66m | 8:36PM4.92m | 9:14AM4.82m | 9:27PM5.10m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:27PM2.34m | 10:13AM1.93m | 10:45PM2.31m | 11:26AM1.91m | 00:02AM2.14m | 12:33PM1.81m | 1:08AM1.85m | 1:33PM1.67m | 2:06AM1.53m | 2:27PM1.53m | 2:58AM1.22m | 3:16PM1.44m | 3:47AM0.99m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 4:18 | — | — | 4:18 | — | — | 4:20 | — | — | 4:22 | — | — | 4:24 | — | — | 4:24 | — | — | 4:26 | — | — |
 | — | — | 10:19 | — | — | 10:16 | — | — | 10:15 | — | — | 10:15 | — | — | 10:14 | — | — | 10:12 | — | — | 10:10 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 15 | 21 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 14 | 22 | 17 | 16 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 |
| kJ | 106 | 106 | 282 | 196 | 299 | 180 | 99 | 326 | 273 | 273 | 212 | 162 | 84 | 58 | 43 | 43 | 42 | 150 | 260 | 318 | 240 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | WNW 12 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | E 7 | E 6 | W 14 | W 7 | W 19 | — | W 18 |
| kJ | 15 | 7 | 3 | 20 | 20 | 9 | 49 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 26 | 7 | — | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 21 | E 7 | E 7 | W 19 | — | W 18 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | — | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | W 5 | — | SSE 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 6 | — |
| kJ | 37 | 69 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 31 | 71 | 1 | 26 | 31 | 0 | 24 | 191 | 24 | 31 | 191 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
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.
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