Thurso Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.60° N 3.52° W

Thurso Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Thurso Reef sea temperature is
13.5°C
0.3° 

Thurso Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Thurso Reef surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, N swell with 276 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period with NNW 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 30) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. 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 1.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 8s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sun 30th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 6s
Best Surf 4AM (Sun 30th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 6s
Most Powerful 4AM (Mon 31st Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a honest look at the Thurso Reef forecast. Straight up, it’s a tough watch for the first week and a half. We’ve got a real lull through the end of August and into the first days of September, with nothing but tiny, messy, or wind-affected surf. The sea just isn’t cooperating. It’s not until the 3rd of September that things get interesting, but then it’s a whole different beast – a massive, dangerous swell that’s too big for most of us.

Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th are write-offs. The swell is weak, with combined energy values of just 308 and 146, dropping to a pathetic 19 and 24. The cross-off and cross winds from the southeast at 15 mph are not doing us any favours. Water temp is sitting at 56°, which is about normal for the time of year.

Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th are more of the same – small, poor conditions. The swell energy is barely registering (74 and 58). Friday brings a shift to light rain and a cross-on wind, which is just messy.

We finally see a pulse of energy on Sunday the 30th of August. The swell bumps up to 4 ft from the NNW with a period of 7 seconds, and combined energy hits 228. It’s a marginal call, with a light cross wind. Monday the 31st is a step back into poor territory, with a 4 ft onshore wind swell.

Now, here’s where it gets wild. The 3rd of September, Thursday morning, is a standout in terms of sheer power, but it’s not for the faint of heart. We’re looking at a 13 ft swell from the west, with a period of 9 seconds, and a combined energy reading of 2942. The wind is light and cross-off, so the conditions would be clean. But at this size, this is strictly for experts only. It’s too big for beginners by a long shot. The afternoon is even bigger, hitting 16 ft from the WNW with a period of 11 seconds, and energy spiking to 6138. Again, the wind is clean, but that’s a serious, heavy ocean. The same goes for Friday the 4th of September – a 12 ft swell in the morning and 7 ft in the afternoon, with strong cross-off winds. The energy is still massive (2600 and 1555), but the wind is up, making it a raw, challenging session.

After the big stuff passes, the 5th of September Saturday morning is the best of the rest. The swell drops to a more manageable 5 ft from the NNW with a 10-second period and combined energy of 406. The wind is light and cross-off, so the face will be glassy and clean. This is a solid window for an intermediate surfer. By Sunday the 6th, we get a clean 3 ft NNE swell with a nice offshore wind, and energy of 201. It’s a fun, clean day.

After that, the 7th of September is a write-off again with strong winds. The 8th and 9th of September see another massive pulse of energy (1277 and 2347), but again with strong winds, making it a real challenge.

If you’re a hardcore expert, the 3rd and 4th of September are your window for a big, powerful, clean reef break. For everyone else, keep your eyes on Saturday the 5th of September morning for the cleanest, most manageable waves. The early part of the forecast is a write-off, so don’t stress about it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
W
10
0.9
W
10
0.6
W
8
0.4
W
8
0.3
W
8
0.3
WNW
11
0.6
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.5
W
8
0.8
ENE
4
0.3
NNE
6
0.3
N
7
0.3
NW
7
0.4
NW
6
1
NNW
6
1.3
NNW
7
1.5
NNW
8
1.3
N
9
1.2
N
9
1.1
N
9
0.9
N
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
308
146
50
19
12
22
68
57
35
19
6
8
7
12
60
158
273
257
235
194
120
Wind (km/h)
25
SE
25
SE
20
SE
25
SE
25
ESE
15
SE
25
SE
25
ESE
15
ESE
15
ENE
15
N
20
WNW
20
W
20
WNW
15
W
10
WNW
10
NNW
10
ENE
15
N
15
NNW
20
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
8:10PM4.48m
8:43AM4.38m
8:45PM4.70m
9:14AM4.57m
9:16PM4.89m
9:44AM4.72m
9:46PM5.03m
10:13AM4.81m
10:16PM5.11m
10:42AM4.84m
10:47PM5.13m
11:13AM4.82m
11:19PM5.06m
Low Tide
1:59PM2.11m
2:26AM1.71m
2:35PM1.88m
2:59AM1.48m
3:08PM1.68m
3:31AM1.30m
3:40PM1.52m
4:03AM1.17m
4:11PM1.43m
4:35AM1.10m
4:44PM1.40m
5:08AM1.12m
5:17PM1.45m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:54
5:56
6:00
6:01
6:03
6:05
6:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:35
8:31
8:29
8:27
8:23
8:21
8:17
 mm
3
1
1
1
1
Temp °C
16
15
13
16
17
14
17
16
14
14
13
13
14
14
13
14
14
12
13
13
13
Feels °C
11
10
9
11
13
12
13
12
13
12
11
10
11
11
10
13
12
10
11
10
11
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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