Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 4 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 5 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 7s period, W swell with 572 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 5 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s 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 (Jul 05) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 9s period. 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 2.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sun 5th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sun 5th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Tue 7th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's coming up for Thurso Reef.
We're starting off with a bit of a slow burn. The water temp is sitting around 54° which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. The first few days are pretty ordinary, with marginal conditions and a lot of cross-off wind. The swell's around but it's not doing us any favours with those short periods and onshore flow. Saturday the 4th has some 6ft swell from the west, but that 30 km/h cross-off wind and light rain makes it a bit of a mission for not much reward, with only moderate wave energy (669).
Sunday the 5th morning is a slight step up with 4ft from the WNW and cleaner conditions, but it's still not a standout. The pattern continues through Monday and Tuesday with some surf, but the quality is just okay.
The first real highlight pops up on Tuesday the 7th afternoon. The wind drops to glassy—flat calm—and we've got a clean 4ft from the west with moderate energy (338). That's the kind of window you want to be looking at for a quiet, clean session.
Then, things get interesting. Wednesday the 12th morning sees a glassy start again with 5ft from the west and solid energy (369). But the big one, the standout of the entire outlook, is Monday the 13th morning. That's when we get 7ft of west swell with the wind dead calm. The combined energy jumps right up to 750, which is strong. This is going to be a proper groundswell with a 9-second period, so expect some real power and shape. That's the session you wait for. It's going to be a bit much for the beginners at that size, but for anyone with some experience, it's pure gold.
The run from there is a bit of a mixed bag. The 14th and 15th have some clean cross-off winds but the swell quality is marginal. Another little gem is early on the 16th morning, with 5ft from the west and a glassy calm. After that, the last few days drop off into the 2ft to 4ft range with not much to write home about.
So, if I had to pick one, it's the morning of Monday the 13th. That's the one to clear the diary for. The Tuesday the 7th afternoon and the 16th morning are your next best bets for some clean, glassy fun.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the W by Mon night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sat 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 9 | W 6 | W 7 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 669 | 383 | 243 | 158 | 96 | 94 | 332 | 554 | 377 | 252 | 320 | 129 | 129 | 241 | 125 | 125 | 142 | 91 | 71 | 161 | 234 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 00:15AM4.66m | 12:55PM4.28m | 00:54AM4.60m | 1:39PM4.22m | 1:39AM4.51m | 2:30PM4.17m | 2:32AM4.42m | 3:28PM4.15m | 3:34AM4.35m | 4:32PM4.19m | 4:44AM4.32m | 5:39PM4.30m | 5:57AM4.37m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:08PM1.95m | 6:41AM1.62m | 6:47PM2.05m | 7:22AM1.70m | 7:31PM2.16m | 8:10AM1.79m | 8:23PM2.27m | 9:06AM1.88m | 9:27PM2.34m | 10:13AM1.93m | 10:45PM2.31m | 11:26AM1.91m | 00:02AM2.14m | 12:33PM1.81m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | | |  | | | |  |  | | | | | |  | | |
 | — | — | 4:13 | — | — | 4:15 | — | — | 4:16 | — | — | 4:18 | — | — | 4:18 | — | — | 4:20 | — | — | 4:22 |
 | — | 10:22 | — | — | 10:22 | — | — | 10:21 | — | — | 10:20 | — | — | 10:19 | — | — | 10:16 | — | — | 10:15 | 10:15 |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 9 | N 8 | N 10 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 |
| kJ | — | 383 | 243 | 158 | 96 | 94 | 33 | 151 | 119 | 86 | 41 | 129 | 129 | 241 | 125 | 125 | 142 | 91 | 71 | 161 | 234 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | NNE 10 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | W 12 | N 8 | N 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 18 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 12 | N 6 | — | — | — | NNE 8 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 6 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | W 7 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 5 | W 5 | — | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | WNW 4 | — |
| kJ | 669 | — | — | — | — | — | 332 | 554 | 377 | 252 | 320 | 31 | 22 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 5 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 835 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 375 | 375 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 71 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 71 |
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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