Estaleiro Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty here, looking down the barrel at the next couple of weeks for this stretch of coast.

First up, the opening days are a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got some rideable swell kicking off around Wednesday the 9th, with about 3ft of east swell wrapping in. It’s glassy, but there’s light rain and the period is a touch short at 8 seconds, so it might be a bit crumbly. The water’s sitting at 67°F, which is pretty much right where it should be for this time of year, so no dramas there in terms of a wetsuit.

Honestly, that first little pulse fades fast. Thursday and Friday are going to be pretty average – the swell drops to 3ft and the wind gets messy. There’s a bit of cross-off action early Thursday but it’s ordinary. By Friday afternoon it’s cross and raining, so I’d be giving it a miss.

The weekend is a write-off. Saturday the 12th sees the onshores howling at 19 mph and a lumpy 5ft of south-east swell – that’s not surf, that’s a washing machine. Sunday is a bit smaller at 4ft but the wind is still on it, so keep the board in the car.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Monday the 14th pumps in some real energy – we’re looking at 6ft of east swell, and the combined energy is strong at (520). But the wind is straight on it and it’s a short-period 8 seconds, so it’s going to be a messy, closed-out mess. Not worth the paddle.

Our first real standout comes Tuesday the 15th. The swell is still solid at 5ft from the east, the energy is buzzing at (469), and we finally get that magic offshore west wind – light, at 3 mph. It’s clean, glassy, and the reef should be holding that east groundswell nicely. This is the one to circle. Estaleiro Reef is inconsistent though, so you’ll need a bit of patience between sets, but when they come, it’ll be worth it.

After that, Wednesday the 16th gets chopped up again with a fresh cross-onshore. Thursday the 17th the swell backs off to 3ft but the period jumps to 12 seconds – proper groundswell. The wind is light but cross, and it’s looking marginal. A longer period like that might make it break a bit too straight on the reef, so it’s a tricky call.

Then we get another little window. Friday the 18th has the swell building through the day – 4ft in the morning, jumping to 6ft by the afternoon with a clean glassy surface. It’s still short period, but with that much power behind it, (391) energy, and no wind, it could be a fun one.

The real gem of the whole run, though, is Sunday the 20th. The morning has 4ft and light glassy conditions, but it’s the afternoon that’s the standout – 5ft of east swell with a longer 11-second period and a light offshore WNW breeze. Combined energy is pumping at (569). This is clean, lined-up reef surf. This is what we live for.

After that, the run fades out. Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd see the wind shift onshore and chop everything up. The swell drops off into the end of the week, with only small, weak pulses below 3ft. Thursday the 24th is the last call, and it’s pretty much flat and bumpy.

So, look – there’s a few good windows if you’re patient. That Sunday the 20th afternoon is the absolute pick, with Tuesday the 15th morning a close second. The rest is wind-slop and waiting. This reef doesn’t like the onshores at all, and it’s been inconsistent lately, but when the offshore wind lines it up, it’s a proper little wave.

Stay patient, keep the wetsuit on, and I’ll see you out there.

Rusty.

Read more