Cable Station Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Cable Station Reef. This is a fairly exposed reef break that handles a good NW swell direction, and it gets a consistent pulse of long-period WSW groundswell through the whole forecast. This is a serious spot for experienced surfers, and it’s going to be pumping, but you’ve got to pick your moments.

The first real action kicks off on Tuesday, August 18th, but don’t get too excited. The combined wave energy is a massive 5641 (strong to very strong) with a 11.5 ft swell out of the WSW and a period of 16 seconds. That’s a very long-period groundswell. The water is sitting at 62.6°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. The problem is the wind is a cross-on at 9 mph, making it a bit choppy. The real issue is that 11.5 ft is not just big, it’s a monster. This is only for experts, and even then, it’s a handful. The wind and tide are favorable, but the size is just too much for this break.

Things start to clean up on Wednesday, August 19th. The morning looks clear with a 7.9 ft swell from the WSW, period at 15 seconds, and a light offshore wind from the WNW at 6 mph. That’s a solid, clean set-up for experienced surfers, but the tide and conditions are a bit questionable. The afternoon is similar, but the wind picks up to 9 mph onshore, making it less appealing.

Thursday, August 20th morning is the first standout. The wind drops to zero – glassy conditions – and the swell is 8.2 ft from the WSW with a 16-second period. The combined energy is 3594 (very strong). This is a classic, clean, powerful groundswell. The glassy conditions mean the reef will be absolutely perfect. This is an excellent surf condition for experienced surfers. The crowd profile says “often,” so expect some company, but it’s worth it. This is the best session on offer.

Friday, August 21st morning is another good one. The swell drops a touch to 7.2 ft, still from the WSW, with a 15-second period. The wind is offshore from the east at 6 mph, giving you clean, lined-up waves. Combined energy is 2010 (strong). This is an excellent session for experienced surfers, though the size is still significant.

From Saturday, August 22nd through the weekend, the swell slowly backs off. Saturday morning has a 6.2 ft swell with a 16-second period and a light cross-offshore wind, which is clean. The afternoon gets messy with a strong cross-shore wind. Sunday, August 23rd, the swell drops to 4.3 ft, and the wind is cross-shore, but the periods are still long. It’s marginal.

We have a gap of a few days here. Monday, August 24th is marginal with a cross-shore breeze. Tuesday, August 25th is a write-off. Rain showers, howling onshore winds from the west at 22-25 mph, and a 6.9-7.9 ft swell. That’s a mess. Wednesday, August 26th is still big and windy, with 9.8 ft swell and a cross-on wind, creating a choppy, dangerous mess.

The second standout comes later in the week. Thursday, August 27th morning. The wind turns light and cross-offshore from the NE at 6 mph. The swell is 6.9 ft from the WSW, period at 14 seconds. The combined energy is 1583 (strong). This is an excellent surf condition for experienced surfers, with clean, powerful waves. The afternoon gets glassy again with a 6.2 ft swell, making for a very good evening session.

The end of the forecast is a mixed bag. Friday, August 28th, the swell drops to 3.9 ft, but the wind is offshore from the ENE at 12 mph, keeping it clean. That’s a good small-wave day. Saturday, August 29th, the swell picks back up to 5.6 ft with a 16-second period, but the wind is cross-shore, making it marginal. The following week starts with a 5.6 ft swell on Monday, September 1st, but the wind is cross-offshore and clean. Tuesday, September 2nd, the swell jumps to 7.5 ft from the WSW with a 17-second period, combined energy at 3063 (very strong). That’s a big, long-period swell, but the wind is a light cross-shore, so it’s marginal. The afternoon gets blown out.

So, to wrap it up: Thursday, August 20th morning is your absolute best bet for a glassy, powerful, clean session. The Thursday, August 27th morning is the second real highlight, with clean, strong waves and a manageable size. The rest of the window is either too big, too windy, or too small, with a lot of marginal or poor conditions in between. This is a spot for the experienced crew, no doubt.

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