Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, W swell with 1,469 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m 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 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Thurso Reef. I’ve been staring at the charts for a while, and honestly, it’s a bit of a rough start. For the next week or so, we’re looking at a long stretch of messy, blown‑out conditions. The wind is mostly cross or cross‑onshore, the swell is short‑period and choppy, and the wave energy is moderate at best – nothing to get excited about. The water’s sitting at 55.6°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first real glimmer comes on Monday morning, July 27. That’s a full ten days away, but it’s the only time in the whole 16‑day window where things line up. We’ve got a 4.3ft swell from the west, with a 10‑second period – solid groundswell, nice and clean. The wind is light southerly, 6 mph, and it’s offshore, so the reef should be glassy. The combined energy is 370 – that’s moderate, but it’s enough to push some nice lines. This is your best chance for a proper session. The swell direction isn’t the perfect NW that Thurso prefers, but that clean offshore wind will make up for it. Crowds are possible – it’s a fairly consistent spot, so expect a few locals out.
After that, things go back to messy cross‑shore winds and lumpy chop. There’s a little pulse on the 24th and 25th with bigger swell (up to 8ft) but the wind is cross‑shore or cross‑onshore, so it’s not worth the paddle. The second week shows some moderate energy but the wind keeps it raw. Honestly, if you’re after a clean wave, mark your calendar for Monday 27th morning. It’s your only window.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Tue morning, moderate winds from the W by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 140 | 156 | 143 | 84 | 105 | 46 | 166 | 171 | 179 | 181 | 302 | 490 | 463 | 322 | 220 | 210 | 290 | 537 | 1274 | 1469 | 1106 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:31PM4.70m | 00:29AM5.05m | 1:16PM4.50m | 1:14AM4.84m | 2:04PM4.29m | 2:03AM4.58m | 2:54PM4.11m | 2:57AM4.31m | 3:51PM3.98m | 4:00AM4.08m | 4:54PM3.95m | 5:13AM3.94m | 6:01PM4.00m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:05AM1.00m | 6:14PM1.70m | 6:51AM1.22m | 6:58PM1.91m | 7:38AM1.51m | 7:46PM2.13m | 8:29AM1.81m | 8:40PM2.34m | 9:27AM2.09m | 9:49PM2.49m | 10:35AM2.28m | 11:12PM2.51m | 11:45AM2.35m | 00:26AM2.39m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 4:33 | — | — | 4:35 | — | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | 4:45 | — | — |
 | — | — | 10:05 | — | — | 10:02 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:59 | — | — | 9:57 | — | — | 9:54 | — | — | 9:53 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | N 6 | N 6 | WNW 11 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 10 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | W 13 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 140 | 16 | 8 | 17 | 10 | 43 | 166 | 171 | 52 | 12 | 12 | 1 | — | — | 15 | 6 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | — | W 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 7 | E 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | 4 | 16 | 46 | 13 | 59 | 53 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | — | — | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | 8 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | — | 156 | 143 | 84 | 105 | 46 | — | — | 179 | 181 | 302 | 490 | 463 | 322 | 220 | 210 | 290 | 537 | 1274 | 1469 | 1106 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 94 | 285 | 71 | 43 | 71 | 180 | 53 | 600 | 305 | 359 | 770 | 359 | 418 | 419 | 218 | 26 | 71 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 423 |
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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