Surf Forecasts:
Thurso Reef surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, NW swell with 613 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Thurso Reef this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Reef in the next 16 days are 2.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, time to break out the tape measure, because the last few weeks at Thurso Reef have been a tough stretch. This is a proper reef, exposed to any swell, but the wind has really been kicking our backsides. The water temp is about 55°F, which is dead average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Honestly, the first ten days to two weeks ahead are a total bust. We're looking at a long dry spell. Most of July, into the back half, is junk. Tiny swell, and the wind is mostly cross or cross-on. Don't bother. Saturday, the 22nd of July, is the first time we see any real size – 7ft to 8ft – but the wind is a fresh cross-shore, and the energy reading is strong (384 to 613). That's just a messy, lumpy, expert-only mess. Not the kind of day you bring your funboard for.
The real window finally cracks open on the 25th of July. Saturday morning the 25th, the wind goes cross-off, the swell drops back to a very manageable 6ft, and it scrubs up beautifully. The energy is still strong (438), but the direction is a solid WNW, which is exactly what this reef wants to see. It’s a bit big for anyone just starting out, but for the intermediate crowd, this is your moment. Then Saturday afternoon, the swell eases to 5ft and the wind is lighter, making it a prime candidate for a clean, longer session.
The true standout, the one I’d circle on the calendar, is Sunday the 26th of July. The swell is a beautiful, clean 4ft, the wind is cross-off from the West, and the period stretches out to 9 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. The water will have a nice, long rhythm, making paddling out feel easy. The combined energy is still moderate (230), but with the wind being so kind, this is the cleanest, most workable surf of the entire forecast. Don’t be surprised if it gets a bit of a crowd – this spot can be ‘sometimes’ busy – but the quality will be worth sharing it for.
After that, it fades. Monday the 27th still has some size (5ft) with clean cross-off wind, but by Tuesday the 28th, we’re back to tiny, cross-on slop. The session’s over.
The long-range stuff in early August looks tiny and generally poor. We’ll see what the models cook up.
The take-home is simple: forget July until the 25th. Keep your eyes on Sunday the 26th. That’s the day.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the NW by Fri afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 13 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 11 | W 11 | WNW 7 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 64 | 40 | 25 | 27 | 32 | 275 | 125 | 108 | 79 | 133 | 84 | 53 | 54 | 62 | 61 | 83 | 90 | 71 | 52 | 146 | 83 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:07AM4.91m | 10:14PM5.21m | 10:57AM4.92m | 10:59PM5.25m | 11:45AM4.85m | 11:44PM5.19m | 12:31PM4.70m | 00:29AM5.05m | 1:16PM4.50m | 1:14AM4.84m | 2:04PM4.29m | 2:03AM4.58m | 2:54PM4.11m | 2:57AM4.31m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:03PM1.40m | 4:34AM0.87m | 4:47PM1.44m | 5:20AM0.88m | 5:31PM1.54m | 6:05AM1.00m | 6:14PM1.70m | 6:51AM1.22m | 6:58PM1.91m | 7:38AM1.51m | 7:46PM2.13m | 8:29AM1.81m | 8:40PM2.34m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  | | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | 4:28 | — | — | 4:30 | — | — | 4:31 | — | — | 4:33 | — | — | 4:35 | — | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — |
 | — | — | 10:08 | — | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:06 | — | — | 10:05 | — | — | 10:02 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:59 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 14 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | ENE 9 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | N 6 | WNW 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | WNW 6 | W 10 | N 8 | N 8 |
| kJ | 64 | 40 | 25 | 27 | 24 | 275 | 125 | 108 | 79 | 8 | 84 | 53 | 6 | 47 | 59 | 83 | 80 | 36 | 46 | 21 | 18 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | W 12 | WNW 13 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | ENE 9 | N 5 | WNW 13 | W 9 | W 8 | N 8 | N 10 | W 10 | N 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 32 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 32 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 31 | 71 | 33 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 18 | — | — | E 5 | — | — | — | — | N 9 | — | N 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | N 6 | NE 8 | NE 6 | E 6 | N 9 | N 7 | N 6 | — |
| kJ | 6 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 40 | 1 | 1 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 2 | SE 3 | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 5 | WNW 8 | N 4 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | WNW 7 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 9 | 17 | 23 | 133 | 4 | — | 54 | 62 | 61 | 78 | 90 | — | 52 | 146 | 83 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 28 | 24 | 191 | 31 | 94 | 94 | 755 | 71 | 71 | 94 | 28 | 27 | 24 | 170 | 71 | 71 | 1 | 71 | 542 | 71 |
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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