Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with 3,063 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 5s 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 1AM. 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+) | 7AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. It’s a mixed bag, so don’t get too excited just yet.
We’ve got a long dry spell to start with. The first few days are a write-off, with onshore and cross-shore winds messing up any chance of a decent wave. The water temperature is sitting at 56°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Thursday the 23rd of July. It’s a tentative start, with a moderate cross-offshore breeze at Thurso Reef. The swell is a modest 5 ft from the WNW, but the wind is clean. The combined energy is moderate (245). It’s not a full-on classic, but it’s the first sign of life.
The real standout, and the one to circle on the calendar, is Friday the 24th of July. The forecast is showing a very solid pulse of swell. The wind is clean, blowing cross-off, and the swell is a serious 12 ft from the WNW. The combined energy is through the roof (2124). This is big, powerful, and for experts only. If you’re not confident in heavy water, sit this one out. The swell period is 10 seconds, so it’s got some good energy behind it.
Saturday the 25th is still big, with 10 ft sets in the morning and 8 ft in the afternoon, but the wind swings onshore, so it’s messy. The big energy is still there (1984 and 1475), but the quality drops.
Sunday the 26th is another promising call. The swell drops to a more manageable 7 ft from the W, and the wind is light and cross-off. The combined energy is still strong (801). The morning session looks like the pick of the day with clean conditions.
After that, the wind turns against us again, with a long stretch of lumpy, cross-shore conditions from the 27th through to the 1st of August. There’s a flash of hope on Tuesday the 29th of July, when the wind goes light offshore from the SSW. The swell is a clean 5 ft, and combined energy is moderate (384). It’s worth a look if you’re desperate.
The very end of the run, Saturday the 1st of August, offers a small window in the afternoon with light winds and 5 ft waves. The combined energy is low (356), but it’ll be clean.
Overall, the best bet is Friday the 24th of July for the big stuff, but that’s only for the experienced crew. Sunday the 26th is a safer bet for a good session with cleaner conditions.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sat night, strong winds from the WNW by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Wed night, near gales from the WSW by Thu night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 12 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 189 | 101 | 84 | 46 | 44 | 202 | 197 | 178 | 204 | 342 | 431 | 364 | 261 | 138 | 232 | 307 | 657 | 1704 | 2124 | 3063 |
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 | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 6:14PM1.70m | 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 | |||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 4:35 | — | — | 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 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | WNW 7 | N 6 | N 6 | WNW 11 | W 11 | WNW 8 | W 10 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | — | NW 8 | WNW 8 | N 6 | N 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 8 | 101 | 25 | 11 | 43 | 37 | 197 | 51 | 12 | 12 | 1 | — | 261 | 138 | 12 | 7 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 9 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | W 9 | N 6 | W 10 | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | N 6 | NE 5 | E 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 7 | 16 | 46 | 13 | 2 | 33 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 14 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | N 6 | NE 7 | N 6 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 4 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | N 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | — | WNW 8 | W 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | 189 | 47 | 84 | 49 | 44 | 202 | — | 178 | 204 | 342 | 431 | 364 | 171 | — | 232 | 307 | 657 | 1704 | 2124 | 3063 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 285 | 94 | 71 | 71 | 29 | 180 | 617 | 305 | 801 | 542 | 363 | 71 | 71 | 218 | 1 | 117 | 180 | 486 | 1163 | 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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