Fall Bay Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for Fall Bay Reef. We’ve got a long stretch of poor surf ahead, so don’t be in a rush to grab your board.

The window kicks off with a real dud. Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th are plagued with weak, short-period swells and messy cross-shore winds. The water’s around the average mark for this time of year, nothing wild, but you won't care because the waves will be junk.

We finally see a pulse of energy on Thursday the 20th. That morning, the combined swell energy jumps to 481 and the wind turns light and cross-offshore. The swell is about 5ft from the west with a 7-second period, which is a bit junky, but it’s the only decent-looking window we get. It’s a reef, so even a short-period W swell can offer a few corners, but it's not going to be epic. It's the best we've got this week, so if you can sneak out, that’s your shot. The afternoon drops off quickly though.

From Friday the 21st through to the 28th, it’s a total desert. Waves basically vanish, and the energy readings are pitiful—we're looking at single-digit readings and even down to 14 on the 23rd. The swell that does show up is tiny and won't do anything on the reef. There’s a long, flat spell here, so don't get your hopes up.

Then, things start to get angry, not good. Around the 29th and 30th, we see a rise in swell, but it’s accompanied by onshore winds and rough conditions. The surf is going to be a mess. We’re talking choppy and poor quality, even as the swell gets to over 5ft.

The real powerhouse arrives at the start of September. On the 1st, the combined energy jumps to 1582 as a significant 7ft+ SW swell pushes in, but it’s with cross-onshore wind and rain. The size is there, but it will be a lumpy, stormy mess. The following morning, the 2nd, it backs off a bit to 7ft from the WSW and the wind finally swings to a light cross-offshore. It’ll be clean, but the power will be substantial. This is a proper reef wave, so it will barrel, but it's only for the experts. Beginners should sit this one out.

Ultimately, this run is a tale of two extremes: a long, flat gap followed by a raw, powerful, and potentially treacherous pulse. If you're experienced and keen, mark the morning of the 2nd of September. It's a week and a half out, so don't book the trip yet, but it's showing the most promise.

Rusty.

Read more