Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, W swell with 4,764 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period with N 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Reef in the next 16 days are 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’.
We’ve got a long run ahead at Thurso Reef. The water’s sitting at 57°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing out of the ordinary there. The first few days are a bit of a write-off, honestly. Tuesday afternoon has a 7 ft W swell but it’s cross-off and messy, with weak energy (325) – not worth paddling out for.
Wednesday morning is bigger at 8 ft from the NNW with a 10-second period, but it’s cross-shore and choppy, and the energy is moderate (1162). Still not clean enough to get excited about.
Then we hit Friday, the 4th of September – now we’re talking. Friday morning shapes up nicely: 7 ft from the W, period of 11 seconds, with a fresh offshore breeze from the SSW. The energy is moderate (1042) but that offshore wind is gold for this reef. It’s the standout of the first week. Friday afternoon gets even bigger – 10 ft from the W, 12-second period, and strong energy (2513). But that’s a lot of water for this break – only for experienced surfers, and the wind goes cross-off.
Saturday the 5th keeps the size: 10 ft again, WNW, with a 9-second period and fresh cross-off wind (1569). Still too big for beginners, but a solid option if you’ve got the skills. Sunday drops right off (4 ft) and the week after gets messy and inconsistent.
Now, the real gem is the 12th of September – Saturday morning. It’s glassy, 7 ft swell from the NNW with an 11-second period (1056). That’s the best wave of the whole run: clean, offshore enough, and the energy is solid. If you can wait, that’s the morning to be out.
After that, the surf fades. Sunday the 13th has a 4 ft glassy N swell (331) – small but fun if you’re keen. By Monday the 14th, it’s down to 2 ft and not worth the hassle.
So, bottom line: Friday the 4th morning for the first standout, and Saturday the 12th morning for the absolute best conditions. Everything else is either too big, too windy, or too small.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the WSW by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun night, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sat night, near gales from the WSW by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | WNW 7 | NNW 10 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 8 | W 11 | W 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 12 | W 11 | W 14 | W 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 312 | 330 | 1080 | 1322 | 694 | 262 | 160 | 69 | 1011 | 2502 | 3368 | 1569 | 1109 | 499 | 227 | 153 | 389 | 711 | 1699 | 1320 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:55PM4.92m | 12:25PM4.57m | 00:38AM4.69m | 1:11PM4.38m | 1:32AM4.40m | 2:10PM4.17m | 2:47AM4.12m | 3:31PM4.04m | 4:29AM4.01m | 5:06PM4.09m | 6:11AM4.14m | 6:28PM4.33m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:54PM1.57m | 6:21AM1.42m | 6:34PM1.76m | 7:04AM1.70m | 7:23PM1.99m | 7:57AM2.02m | 8:29PM2.21m | 9:12AM2.31m | 10:04PM2.29m | 10:53AM2.41m | 11:44PM2.10m | 12:19PM2.25m | 00:56AM1.73m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | |  |  |  |  | | |  |  | | |  | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | 8:15 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 4 | 8 | 3 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 7 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 10 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | N 10 | W 6 | N 8 | W 11 | N 8 | — | — | NNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 12 | W 11 | W 14 | W 11 |
| kJ | 13 | 20 | 1080 | 1322 | 694 | 262 | 89 | 69 | 1011 | 11 | — | — | 186 | 499 | 227 | 153 | 389 | 711 | 1699 | 1320 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | N 13 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | SE 5 | N 9 | W 12 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | N 10 | NNE 10 | NNE 9 | SE 7 | W 15 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
| kJ | 1 | 3 | 82 | 42 | 18 | 4 | 160 | 25 | 31 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 208 | 7 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 6 | — | N 12 | N 11 | — | SE 5 | ESE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | N 9 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | WNW 7 | — | — | SE 3 | W 4 | — | WSW 5 | SW 5 | W 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 10 | — | SE 4 | SSE 4 | SW 4 | S 3 | S 4 | — |
| kJ | 312 | 330 | — | — | 9 | 32 | — | 59 | 53 | 2502 | 3368 | 1569 | 1109 | — | 21 | 29 | 12 | 8 | 12 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 579 | 214 | 27 | 9 | 1 | 426 | 28 | 0 | 617 | 664 | 617 | 596 | 389 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 755 | 180 | 160 | 1 |
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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