Thurso Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.60° N 3.52° W

Thurso Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 12 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso Reef sea temperature is
13.3° C
0.1° 

Thurso Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Thurso Reef surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, W swell with 3,618 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s 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 (Aug 12) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m 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 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Wed 12th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 11s
Best Surf10AM (Tue 18th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 4PM (Tue 18th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for Thurso Reef over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a flat spell to start. The first real surf worth talking about doesn’t show up until Wednesday morning the 12th, and even then it’s pretty weak. That first session is barely a ripple at 1 foot from the west with a 12-second period – the combined energy is just 50, so basically nothing. The water temp is sitting at 56°, pretty much dead average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Wednesday afternoon the 12th sees a slight bump to 2 feet from the west, and here’s the kicker – the wind goes glassy, dead calm. That’s a major positive for clean conditions, even if the swell is tiny. The energy creeps up to 90, but it’s still a knee-high special.

Thursday morning the 13th is more of the same: 1 feet from the west-southwest, glassy again, but the energy is only 61. You’ll be scratching for one.

Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th? Forget it. The wind swings around and gets messy, and the surf quality drops off a cliff. The combined energy for Saturday afternoon hits 226, but it’s a short-period 4 feet from the west with a 8-second period and a cross-chop. That’s not surfable, it’s a washing machine.

Sunday the 16th is a no-go – 5 feet from the north-northwest but with a 25 km/h cross-onshore wind. The energy is 365, but it’s blown out.

Monday the 17th is a step back to tiny, clean waves but nothing to get excited about.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Tuesday morning the 18th – the swell jumps to 10 feet from the west, with a 8-second period. The combined energy skyrockets to 1307. That is a massive amount of energy, but the problem is the size. Over 8 feet, this is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s predicted to be too big for the break. The wind is clean, cross-off, but this is a reef break, and a 10-foot, short-period swell is going to be a wild, dumpy, heavy beast. Not for the faint-hearted, and not for beginners. The best on offer? Honestly, if you’re an expert, Tuesday morning the 18th is the standout, but it’s a dangerous one.

After that, the rest of the week is a write-off – strong winds, lumpy conditions, and poor surf quality until… Thursday morning the 20th. That’s the one. The swell drops to 6 feet from the west-northwest, with an 11-second period, and the combined energy is 801. The wind is a gentle cross-off, making for clean, well-shaped lines. The water is still around average. That’s a solid, surfable day for intermediates and above. The 11-second period gives you proper groundswell energy, and the reef will handle it well. Best of the run.

Friday morning the 21st is a decent backup – 4 feet from the west-northwest, 10-second period, clean cross-off wind. Energy is 307. Not as punchy, but still fun.

Then we hit another gap. The rest of the 21st through the 25th is poor – onshore winds, chop, and tiny surf. The 26th has a brief glassy window with 3 feet from the west-northwest, but it’s ordinary.

The final standout is Thursday morning the 27th. The swell is 6 feet from the west, 10-second period, and the wind is glassy. The combined energy is 514. That’s a clean, moderate-sized swell with perfect conditions. The water temp is still average. For a Thursday morning session, that’s the best call of the second week. It’s a week away, so keep an eye on it, but it’s worth putting a pin in.

So, the two true standouts: Tuesday morning the 18th for experts only (big, dangerous, but clean), and Thursday morning the 20th for the best all-round surf. Thursday morning the 27th is a promising long-range option.

Keep in mind, Thurso Reef can be crowded sometimes, so get there early if you can.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
!
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
W
12
0.6
W
11
0.4
WSW
10
0.4
WSW
11
0.6
W
11
0.6
W
10
0.5
W
10
0.5
N
10
0.4
N
9
0.4
N
9
1.2
W
8
1.4
WNW
8
1.5
NNW
8
1.1
NNW
8
0.8
N
7
0.7
N
8
0.6
N
8
0.4
W
8
3
W
8
4.5
W
10
3
NW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
24
82
33
43
79
71
46
45
25
24
200
270
266
151
68
61
42
22
1303
3618
1082
Wind (km/h)
15
S
0
N
5
SSE
5
E
10
NE
10
S
15
WNW
25
WNW
20
WNW
20
W
25
WNW
25
NW
25
NNW
20
NNW
5
WNW
10
SSE
20
SE
20
SE
20
W
40
WNW
30
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
glassy
on
off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
High Tide
9:16PM5.15m
9:57AM4.97m
9:59PM5.31m
10:39AM4.99m
10:40PM5.35m
11:18AM4.92m
11:19PM5.28m
11:55AM4.77m
11:57PM5.10m
12:32PM4.57m
00:36AM4.83m
1:10PM4.35m
1:17AM4.51m
Low Tide
3:05PM1.49m
3:34AM0.89m
3:48PM1.37m
4:17AM0.79m
4:28PM1.34m
4:58AM0.82m
5:07PM1.40m
5:37AM0.98m
5:45PM1.53m
6:16AM1.25m
6:23PM1.74m
6:55AM1.57m
7:03PM1.99m
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cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
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part cloud
cloud
part cloud
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cloud
cloud
heavy rain
light rain
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rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:26
5:28
5:31
5:33
5:35
5:37
5:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:09
9:07
9:05
9:01
8:59
8:57
8:53
 mm
2
1
2
11
4
2
Temp °C
23
24
21
19
20
18
16
14
13
14
14
12
11
11
11
14
14
12
14
13
13
Feels °C
22
24
21
19
20
18
13
10
9
10
9
8
6
6
8
13
10
9
7
6
8
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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