Cardiff Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – this 16-day window for Cardiff Reef is a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of pretty average conditions, so don't get your hopes up too high.

The water temperature is sitting at 76°F, which is a massive 8°F warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s seriously unusual, so you’ll be sweating in your wetsuit, if you’re even wearing one.

For the first week, from Friday the 7th of August right through the weekend and into the following week, it’s just a grind. We’ve got small, clean surf on offer, but the wave quality is consistently rated as poor. The swell is tiny, ranging from 2ft to 3ft, coming from the SSW. The period is long, between 14 and 19 seconds, so there’s energy in the water (energy values are mostly in the 300-500 range, which is moderate), but it’s just not shaping up. The wind is offshore every day, which is a major positive for keeping it glassy, but the surf is just too weak and short-period to really do anything with. It’s a frustrating mix of perfect winds and barely a ripple.

The best chance for a paddle comes around Tuesday the 11th of August in the afternoon. The wind drops to a slight offshore breeze, swell bumps up just a touch to 2ft from the SW with a long 18-second period, and the energy kicks up a bit (469). It’s still only a marginal forecast, but it’s the cleanest and most energetic window in the first week. You’ll be scratching for waves, but it’s the only time the conditions aren't actively working against you.

The second week doesn’t offer much relief. The swell remains small, mostly 2ft to 4ft from the SSW. The wind stays offshore, which is a constant positive, but the surf quality remains poor or marginal. There’s a slight uptick in energy around the 15th and 16th of August (energy values hitting 600-700), but the period drops off, making it less appealing. The best looking day in the second week is Saturday the 22nd of August. The morning has a light 6 mph offshore wind, a 3ft SSW swell with a 14-second period, and the highest energy of the whole outlook at 684. It’s still marginal, but that’s the best you’re going to get. The afternoon switches to a 2ft SW swell with a very long 21-second period and energy of 625, but the wind picks up a touch.

So, the honest truth? There are no standouts here. The best on offer is a few marginal windows with clean, offshore winds but frustratingly small surf. If you’re desperate, the afternoon of the 11th of August or the morning of the 22nd of August are your best bets. Otherwise, it’s a long wait for a proper swell. Given the constant offshore winds and small, weak surf, this setup might look more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer.

Rusty.

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