Cable Station Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s break down what’s in store at Cable Station Reef. This is the only spot with any solid info, so we’ll ride it out for the full 16 days.

The water is 63° – that’s about 5° colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a thicker wetsuit. The first real chance to get wet is Sunday morning, July 19, when a solid 8 ft WSW groundswell (14-second period) rolls in with glassy conditions – light SSW wind at 3 mph. The combined energy is pumping at 2405 (moderate to strong) and it’s a clean, powerful setup. This is a reef break, intermediate level, fairly consistent, and the swell direction (WSW) matches the optimum NW, so it’s working well. That said, 8 ft is on the big side, so it’s better for experienced surfers. Crowds are “often” here, so expect company. Sunday morning is the standout of the whole outlook – top quality.

Sunday afternoon, the wind swings to a light WSW onshore at 6 mph, and the swell eases a touch to 7 ft, but the tide or conditions get questionable. The energy is still strong at 1581, but it’s not as clean.

Monday morning, July 20, drops to 5 ft with glassy NNW wind at 3 mph – clean but much smaller, with energy down to 623. Still a fun session, but not the standout. Monday afternoon gets a cross-onshore breeze and the energy drops further.

Tuesday, July 21, morning sees 5 ft SW groundswell (14 seconds) with a clean offshore E wind at 6 mph, producing 986 energy – good shape, but the swell is modest. The afternoon gets chopped up by a moderate S cross-shore.

Wednesday, July 22, offers a consistent 4-5 ft WSW swell with gentle offshore ESE winds, clean and glassy. Energy around 800-880 – a solid, user-friendly day for intermediates.

Thursday, July 23, keeps the 4 ft WSW swell with offshore ENE winds, still clean. Energy drops to 486-679. Good, but not epic.

Friday, July 24, sees the swell drop to 3 ft, energy down to 320-340. Clean conditions with light winds, but it’s marginal.

From Saturday, July 25, onward, the swell stays small (2-5 ft) and the winds become more variable – some glassy patches, but the energy is low (383-468). The best of this weaker stretch is Saturday afternoon, July 25, with glassy NNW wind and 4 ft, 13-second groundswell – clean but small.

Now, from Monday, July 27, the swell picks up but the wind turns nasty. Monday afternoon sees 6 ft WSW with a fresh cross-onshore wind at 19 mph, energy 1272, but it’s lumpy and poor. Tuesday, July 28, is onshore all day, 5-6 ft, poor quality. Wednesday, July 29, morning has a cross-offshore wind but only 4 ft and rain – then the afternoon turns into a storm with 31 mph cross-on winds and a thunderstorm risk. Thursday, July 30, is a washout: 37-40 mph onshore winds, 10-12 ft messy swell, energy over 1300, but blown out. Friday, July 31, has 13 ft WSW groundswell with 16-second period – energy is massive at 9086 – but winds are 16-19 mph cross-onshore, making it a lumpy, dangerous mess. This is kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.

The first weekend of August (1st-2nd) stays blown out with 8-10 ft cross-on swells and strong winds. Monday, August 3, is more of the same – onshore gales, 6-6 ft, energy 1023-1435, but poor.

So, the only true standout is Sunday morning, July 19 – that’s your best bet by a long shot. The second week is largely a write-off due to wind, despite some big swell. Keep an eye on forecasts, but for now, pencil in that Sunday.

Rusty.

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