Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, W swell with 457 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s is also forecast. 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 1.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be 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 (Aug 19) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, folks. Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the Thurso Reef stretch.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there’s some real promise building towards the end of the month. For the next week or so, it’s mostly small and messy. The swell is weak, the wind ain’t playing ball, and you’ll be scratching your head more than scratching a rail. From the 16th through to the 24th, we’re looking at a real dry spell with nothing worth a paddle. Most days have the wind coming from the wrong quarters or just not enough oomph in the water. The combined energy is weak, often below 200, so you're looking at flat, bumpy, or both.
Then, things start to get interesting. On Tuesday morning, the 25th of August, we’ve got a little window. The wind goes glassy, dead calm from the south at 3 mph. The swell fills in at 5ft from the west-northwest with a decent 10-second period. The combined energy jumps to 443, which is solid moderate energy. It’s a proper groundswell, so this reef setup should handle it well. It’s not huge, but with that glassy surface, this is your best bet for a clean, fun session for intermediate surfers. Keep an eye on the crowds, it can get busy here sometimes.
Now, the big news. Hold onto your board shorts. Saturday the 29th of August is the standout. We’ve got a morning pulse at 8ft from the west-northwest, with a long 11-second period, and the combined energy is a hefty 2088. The wind is cross-off from the southeast at 12 mph, keeping it clean. By the afternoon, it’s still pumping at 8ft, the energy is still over 1100, and the wind drops a touch. This is excellent, powerful groundswell that will be reeling down the reef. This one’s for the experienced crew only; at over 8ft it’s too much for beginners. Then on Monday the 31st of August, the forecast shows a massive 13ft swell from the west with a 12-second period and a combined energy of 4530. The wind is glassy again, but that swell is simply too big for this break. It’ll be a sight to see, not a sight to surf for most.
So to wrap it up, the best on offer is the glassy Tuesday morning the 25th of August, and the real, proper highlight is the Saturday the 29th of August for those with the skills and the nerve. The long-range stuff looks promising, but as always, keep an eye on it as we get closer.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue night, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | N 7 | W 9 | N 7 | N 7 | NNE 8 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 8 | N 10 | N 11 | N 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 181 | 91 | 40 | 38 | 41 | 23 | 14 | 21 | 106 | 432 | 365 | 200 | 179 | 223 | 121 | 84 | 74 | 117 | 100 | 83 | 52 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:55AM4.77m | 11:57PM5.10m | 12:32PM4.57m | 00:36AM4.83m | 1:10PM4.35m | 1:17AM4.51m | 1:52PM4.13m | 2:06AM4.17m | 2:44PM3.95m | 3:10AM3.88m | 3:54PM3.84m | 4:38AM3.72m | 5:18PM3.86m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:37AM0.98m | 5:45PM1.53m | 6:16AM1.25m | 6:23PM1.74m | 6:55AM1.57m | 7:03PM1.99m | 7:36AM1.93m | 7:49PM2.25m | 8:23AM2.27m | 8:51PM2.49m | 9:29AM2.54m | 10:25PM2.60m | 11:03AM2.65m | 00:01AM2.49m | |||||||
 | |  | |  |  |  | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | |
 | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — |
 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:53 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | N 8 | WNW 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | NNE 8 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | NE 9 | N 10 | N 11 | N 10 |
| kJ | 26 | 42 | 36 | 38 | 38 | 23 | 14 | 21 | 106 | 432 | 365 | 200 | 92 | 60 | 40 | 35 | 22 | 3 | 100 | 83 | 52 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | — | N 7 | WNW 6 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | ESE 5 | NNE 8 | — | NE 7 | — | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | W 9 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 8 |
| kJ | 11 | — | 40 | 13 | 41 | 22 | 12 | 9 | 12 | — | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 12 | W 10 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | NNE 8 | W 8 | E 5 | — | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | 31 | 7 | 1 | 13 | 5 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | WNW 7 | — | — | E 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | — | W 5 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 8 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 6 |
| kJ | 181 | 91 | — | — | 1 | 12 | 28 | — | 45 | 18 | 26 | 131 | 179 | 223 | 121 | 84 | 74 | 117 | 9 | 7 | 41 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 41 | 1 | 71 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 363 | 294 | 94 | 360 | 287 | 53 | 53 | 285 | 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.
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