Estaleiro Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s brewing for Estaleiro Reef over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, the first week is a bit of a grind. There’s a lot of small, ordinary swell and a fair bit of onshore wind, so we’re not looking at anything special. The real standout kicks off on the 18th of August, when a proper pulse of energy arrives. That’s the one to circle on the calendar.

We start off with a few clean windows, but the waves are tiny. Thursday the 6th has some clean 2ft swell from the ENE with light offshore winds, but the energy is weak (79). Friday the 7th is similar, maybe 3ft, but the wind swings onshore in the afternoon and ruins it. The first real spark comes Saturday the 8th. A long-period 14-second groundswell from the SE pushes through, with a moderate energy reading of 324. The swell is only 3ft, but it’s clean with light cross-off winds. That long period means the reef will get some nice, lined-up waves, though it’s inconsistent here. Crowds are sometimes a problem, so keep an eye out.

Then we hit a dry spell. Sunday the 9th through to Tuesday the 11th is a write-off – strong cross-onshore winds and messy, choppy conditions. The swell jumps a bit, but the wind just kills it. Wednesday the 12th afternoon shows a glimmer with a clean 4ft SE swell, 347 energy, and light cross-off airs, but it’s still just a marginal day.

From Wednesday the 13th to Sunday the 16th, it’s pretty grim – small, weak, and mostly onshore or cross-onshore. Not worth paddling out for.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Monday the 17th of August, the swell starts to build, but it’s messy. By Tuesday the 18th, we have a proper event. The morning of the 18th sees a 6ft ESE swell with a period of 9 seconds, and a massive energy reading of 1020. The wind is offshore from the WNW, making it glassy and clean. This is excellent, but it’s big – too big for beginners, and only for experienced surfers. The afternoon cleans up even more with light cross-off winds and 5ft swell. This is the best on offer, no question.

Wednesday the 19th morning holds clean with a 4ft ESE swell and offshore winds, but the wind picks up in the afternoon. Thursday the 20th morning is another good one – 4ft from the E with light cross-off breezes and clean conditions. Friday the 21st morning also looks clean with 5ft from the E.

So, the pick of the whole period is definitely Tuesday the 18th of August, especially the morning. That’s a proper reef-swell day with offshore wind and serious energy. The 20th and 21st are also solid, but the 18th is the standout. For the rest of the time, you’re waiting for scraps.

Rusty.

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