Anne Street Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Look, I’ll level with you – this forecast for Anne Street Reef is a tough one. We’ve got a good long window here, but the first week and a half is mostly a write-off. The wind is never your friend, and the swell is either too small or just messy. It’s not until we get into the second week that things start to look interesting, so be patient.

We kick off on Saturday 29 August with tiny 2ft easterly windswell and a cross-shore breeze that’s just chopping everything up. Combined energy is weak at 70. That’s a no-go. Sunday 30 August sees a bit more size, up to 6ft from the southeast, but that fresh cross-shore wind (19 mph) is making a lumpy mess of it. Combined energy climbs to 334, but it’s not surfable. Monday 31 is much the same – moderate cross-shore wind, rain showers, and poor surf.

Tuesday 1 September morning finally gives us a little breather. Swell drops right back to 2ft from the east with a 10-second period and a light cross-offshore breeze. It’s clean, but the energy is barely there at 120. You could get a few knee-high waves if you’re desperate, but it’s ordinary. Wednesday 2 September morning is the one bright spot early on – glassy conditions, a light northwesterly, and that same 2ft east swell. The energy is weak at 64, but it’ll be perfectly clean and tiny. Not a standout, just a moment of peace.

From Thursday 3 September right through to Monday 8 September, it’s a long, flat, and windy stretch. Swell hovers around 1ft to 3ft, almost always from the east or northeast, with onshore or cross-shore winds. The combined energy barely breaks 100. Honestly, it’s a desert. No recommendations for a good wave in sight.

Now, the turnaround starts Wednesday 9 September. Morning clears with a fresh 16 mph offshore breeze from the west-southwest and a 5ft south-southeast swell (8-second period). It’s clean but still marginal – the energy is 288, and that short period means it’ll be a bit weak. But the afternoon is where we get our first true standout. That 6ft southeast swell (6 seconds) with a moderate offshore west-southwest wind makes for clean, surfable waves. The combined energy is 243, and the conditions are good. This is your first real chance for a session. The swell direction is right in the sweet spot for Anne Street Reef (optimum from ESE), so it’ll line up well.

Thursday 10 September morning sees a bigger 8ft southeast swell (7 seconds) with moderate cross-offshore wind from the south-southwest. It’s clean, but the size is getting into expert territory – over 8ft is a real handful on a reef. Combined energy jumps to 484, so there’s plenty of power. The afternoon is ruined by an onshore wind, so aim for the morning session.

Friday 11 September morning is another good call: 6ft east-southeast swell (7 seconds) with a gentle cross-offshore breeze from the south-southeast. Clean, solid, and the energy is strong at 418. Again, morning is the window. Saturday 12 September morning is glassy – a light south-southeast breeze, 5ft east-southeast swell (7 seconds), and combined energy of 234. It’s clean and would be a lovely, crowd-free session, but this spot can get crowded sometimes, so get in early.

The final morning on Sunday 13 September gives us a 5ft east-southeast swell (7 seconds) with a gentle cross-shore breeze. Combined energy is 214, but the conditions are just marginal – not terrible, but not as crisp as the days before.

So for the best of the entire outlook, I’d put my money on Wednesday 9 September afternoon and Friday 11 September morning. Both have clean conditions, solid 5-6ft swell from a good direction, and enough energy to make it worthwhile. Thursday 10 September morning is also a standout for the bigger crew – just know it’s proper size and only for experienced surfers. The water temperature is about average for the time of year.

This is Rusty, signing off.

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