Fishermans Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee and listen up. I’m looking at Fishermans Reef, a tricky little reef break that’s super sheltered. It’s a beginner spot, but it’s a fickle one – it rarely breaks, so you gotta be patient.

The water’s sitting at about 57°, which is a degree cooler than it should be for this time of year, so it’s a bit nippier than usual.

Let’s be straight with you – the next week and a half is a total write-off. From Tuesday the 21st right through to the end of July, the surf is just poor. We’re looking at tiny, weak waves, mostly under 3 feet, with a short period that’s just not going to give you any push. The combined wave energy is mostly in the double digits, which is just pathetic. There’s a day or two of offshore wind, but it’s blowing hard – 25 mph on Saturday the 25th – and that’s going to make paddling out a nightmare. The swell is just too small and weak to overcome that wind.

We’ve got a solid 10-day gap with no real surf to speak of.

The only flicker of hope comes on the 30th of July.

On Thursday the 30th, the morning starts to look a bit more interesting. The swell is still only 4ft, coming from the east, but the period has stretched out to a nice 13 seconds, which is proper groundswell. The combined energy jumps to 443 (moderate), which is a lot more than we’ve seen. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the west-northwest at 12 mph. It’s still not going to be pumping, but it’s the first surfable option in ages. The setup is clean, but with that long period, at a reef break, it might hold up nicely.

The 31st of July sees a jump in size, with the swell hitting 6ft and a shorter period of 7 seconds from the north-northeast. The energy is strong at 493, but that short period is going to make it a bit lumpy and less likely to hold its shape. The wind is a stiff cross-offshore, which will keep it clean, but it’s a bit of a messy combo.

Honestly, nothing here is a standout. The best of a bad bunch is the 30th of July morning. It’s the most consistent and cleanest option in the whole 16-day window, but it’s still a long way from a classic day. After that, we go back to tiny, weak surf from the 1st of August onwards.

If you're desperate for a paddle, maybe the 30th. Otherwise, don't bother.

Rusty.

Read more