Thurso Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Thurso Reef.

Right off the bat, Monday morning, we’ve got a bit of life in the water, but it’s nothing to write home about. Wave energy is weak at 141 (combined energy), with a 3ft swell from the west, period around 8 seconds. It’s glassy though, so it’s clean, but the surf is just ordinary. The water temp is 54°, pretty much bang on average for this time of year. Not a standout, but you could get a limp one if you’re desperate.

Monday afternoon gets messy – wind jumps to 35 km/h from the west, cross-off but strong, and the surf quality drops right off. Skip it.

Now, Tuesday the 7th is where we get going. Tuesday morning is the first real highlight. Swell bumps up to 4ft from the west, period stretching to 9 seconds, and the wind is glassy from the NNE at only 5 km/h. Combined energy hits 260 (moderate), and conditions are clean. That’s a solid session on the cards. Tuesday afternoon holds similar quality, just a touch smaller at 3ft, still glassy with west wind. This is your best bet in the near term.

Wednesday the 8th drops back a notch. Morning is surfable but ordinary – 3ft, cross-off wind, nothing special. Wednesday afternoon gets smaller and windier, not worth it.

Thursday the 9th morning brings a return to form. Swell 4ft from the west, period 9 seconds, and offshore wind from the SW at 10 km/h. Combined energy 249 (moderate), clean waves. That’s another good window. Thursday afternoon turns cross-onshore, so the quality fades.

Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th are plagued by cross-onshore winds and messy conditions. The swell sticks around 3ft to 4ft, but the wind kills it. Not recommended.

Sunday the 12th and Monday the 13th are tiny and weak – energy drops below 100. A real lull.

Then things get interesting again. Tuesday the 14th morning serves up a sneaky good one. Swell 3ft from the WNW, but the period jumps to 12 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell. Combined energy at 307 (moderate) and cross-off wind from the SE at 15 km/h. Clean conditions. That long period will wrap nicely into the reef, giving shape. Keep an eye on this one.

After that, from Wednesday the 15th through to Sunday the 20th, it’s mostly tiny or blown out. Monday the 20th afternoon gets a big spike – a 8ft west swell, 10-second period, but wind is howling at 40 km/h from the WNW, cross-shore and lumpy. The combined energy hits 1099 (strong), but it’s messy as hell. That’s rough.

Tuesday the 21st morning sees 8ft from the west at 11 seconds, 30 km/h cross-shore wind. Energy is 1599 (very strong). That’s solid wave height, but the wind is making it lumpy and hard. For experts only if you’re brave, but honestly the wind is a dealbreaker for clean surfing.

So, to wrap it up: the real standouts are Tuesday the 7th and Thursday the 9th mornings, with Tuesday the 14th as a promising long-range option if the wind holds. The rest of the two weeks is mostly small, weak, or wind-affected. There’s a big gap of poor conditions from the 15th to the 19th, so pick your days.

Stay safe, keep your eyes on the horizon.

- Rusty

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