Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 4 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 7 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, W swell with 1,034 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period with W 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 Saturday (Jul 04) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 10s period. 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) 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 1.8m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sat 4th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Tue 7th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Tue 7th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what’s coming up for Thurso Reef. This spot is a reef setup, so it needs the right direction to get good. The 16-day window has a few moments of hope, but it’s not all glory.
Overall, we’re looking at a run that’s a bit of a mixed bag. The first decent window hits early on, with some proper swell energy rolling in. The best of the whole outlook looks to be the morning of Saturday the 5th of July. We’ve got a northwest swell sitting at 6ft with an 11-second period, and the wind is a gentle, glassy offshore from the SSW. The wave energy is solid (561) and it’s the pick of the period. That’s the stand-out session, no doubt about it. After that, the quality gets messy. The wind turns cross-off or onshore for most of the following days, and the swell direction swings a bit, though the size stays around 4ft to 6ft for a few days. Tuesday the 8th of July morning has some size at 6ft, but it’s a 10-second west swell with a moderate cross-off breeze, so it’s not as clean as that Saturday.
There’s a quiet patch mid-week with smaller waves, but then we get a real treat. The morning of Tuesday the 15th of July looks promising. The forecast shows a 6ft west swell and glassy conditions. The wave energy is pumping at 582, and with the wind dead calm, it’s going to be clean. That’s another true standout, especially for a reef break like this where the long-period swell (10 seconds) will line up nicely. Be aware that water temps at this time of year are about average for the area.
After that, the second week fades. The wind gets messy, the swell drops off, and we end up with a lot of poor or marginal conditions. The swell energy dips into the double digits, and the setup looks more like a kite-surfing day than a paddle session towards the end of the run. The crowds at Thurso Reef can show up, so get in early on those good days.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Mon night, calm by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 7 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 561 | 589 | 383 | 243 | 162 | 120 | 71 | 89 | 1034 | 441 | 381 | 496 | 506 | 495 | 318 | 160 | 127 | 153 | 93 | 74 | 184 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:16PM4.34m | 00:15AM4.66m | 12:55PM4.28m | 00:54AM4.60m | 1:39PM4.22m | 1:39AM4.51m | 2:30PM4.17m | 2:32AM4.42m | 3:28PM4.15m | 3:34AM4.35m | 4:32PM4.19m | 4:44AM4.32m | 5:39PM4.30m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:03AM1.56m | 6:08PM1.95m | 6:41AM1.62m | 6:47PM2.05m | 7:22AM1.70m | 7:31PM2.16m | 8:10AM1.79m | 8:23PM2.27m | 9:06AM1.88m | 9:27PM2.34m | 10:13AM1.93m | 10:45PM2.31m | 11:26AM1.91m | 00:02AM2.14m | |||||||
 | |  | |  |  |  | | | | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | 4:13 | — | — | 4:13 | — | — | 4:15 | — | — | 4:16 | — | — | 4:18 | — | — | 4:18 | — | — | 4:20 | — | — |
 | — | — | 10:22 | — | — | 10:22 | — | — | 10:21 | — | — | 10:20 | — | — | 10:19 | — | — | 10:16 | — | — | 10:15 |
mm | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | — | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | NNW 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 7 | N 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 |
| kJ | 561 | — | 383 | 243 | 162 | 120 | 71 | 41 | 63 | 113 | 99 | 46 | 26 | 32 | 318 | 160 | 127 | 153 | 93 | 74 | 184 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 8 | NNW 10 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | N 9 | — | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 30 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | 17 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 12 | N 10 | N 11 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 7 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | — | SE 2 | SE 4 | — | WNW 4 |
| kJ | — | 589 | — | — | — | — | — | 89 | 1034 | 441 | 381 | 496 | 506 | 495 | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | — | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 770 | 26 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 375 | 26 | 1 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 41 | 41 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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