Danger Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming up for Danger Reef. We’ve got a solid run of surf, but you’ll need to pick your spots.

The action starts Thursday morning, August 27th. It’s not huge, but it’s clean. A 5ft swell from the south with a 12-second period, and light offshore wind from the northwest. The combined energy is 779 (moderate) – enough to get a good ride. The water feels about average for this time of year, so no surprises.

Friday morning, August 28th, is the real standout early on. The swell drops to 4ft from the south, but the wind goes glassy. That’s about as clean as it gets. The period is 11 seconds, so there’s still some decent shape. Combined energy is 432 (moderate). This is the kind of morning you dream about.

After that, things get messy. Friday afternoon sees a cross-onshore wind and a short-period swell from the WSW, and it stays that way through Saturday. Saturday morning is cross-shore with a 4ft swell from the WSW (14-second period, 789 energy – moderate), but the wind is light and cross, so it’s workable but not prime. Saturday afternoon is a write-off with rain and strong cross-onshore winds.

Sunday, August 30th, is a tough one. Swell jumps to 7ft from the SW with a 13-second period, but the cross-onshore wind makes it choppy and lumpy. The combined energy is 1409 (strong) – plenty of power, but not clean. Keep an eye on it, but I wouldn’t rush.

Monday, August 31st, is a return to form. Morning sees a 5ft swell from the SW (12 seconds, 698 energy – moderate), with offshore winds from the NW. The afternoon holds the same. Clean, lined-up waves. This is a solid day.

Now, the big one. Tuesday, September 1st. This is the best on offer. Morning brings a 8ft SW swell with a 13-second period, and strong offshore winds from the NNW. The combined energy is 1648 (strong). This is excellent surf – powerful, clean, and well-shaped. It’s in the expert range, though. Afternoon bumps up to 8ft (2270 energy, strong), but the wind stays offshore, so it’s still good, just more serious.

Then things get rowdy. From Wednesday, September 2nd, through to the 4th, a strong onshore gale sets in. Swells hit 12ft to 13ft, but the wind is howling from the SSE and SE, ripping the surface apart. The combined energy goes through the roof (7169, very strong), but it’s a mess. This is kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.

The wind finally backs off on Saturday, September 5th. We’ve got a 13ft swell from the SSE (9 seconds, 2771 energy – very strong), but the morning is glassy with light offshore wind. That’s a big, clean, powerful swell. It’s only for experts, but if you’ve got the skills, this is a standout session. The afternoon has a cross-shore wind, so it’s less clean.

Sunday, September 6th, holds around 10ft from the SSE (9 seconds, 2175 energy – strong), with cross-offshore winds. It’s surfable, but not as clean as Saturday morning.

Monday, September 7th, sees the swell drop to 8ft from the SE with an 8-second period, and light offshore winds. Combined energy is 736 (moderate). It’s a good, clean, manageable day. Tuesday, September 8th, is smaller at 3ft from the SE (228 energy, light), and Wednesday, September 9th, drops right off to 1ft from the SW (70 energy, weak). That’s the end of the run.

The standout has to be Tuesday, September 1st – the 8ft SW swell with strong offshore winds and excellent energy. It’s big, so it’s experts only, but it’s clean and powerful. Saturday morning, September 5th, is also a big-wave highlight for the brave, with glassy conditions on a 13ft swell.

For the rest, Friday morning, August 28th, and Monday, August 31st, are the cleanest, most user-friendly options.

Keep your eyes on the charts, and get out there when it’s good.

Rusty.

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