H-Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Bit of a tricky stretch ahead, so let’s get straight into it. The first week is pretty grim, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

For the first few days, from Sunday the 19th of July right through to Friday the 24th, it’s just not happening. The swell is on the small side, mostly around 4 ft to 6 ft, but it’s riddled with cross-shore chop and moderate breezes. The wind is locked in from the ENE at 12 to 16 mph, and the water is a mess. The combined swell energy is weak to moderate (269 to 337), so there’s no real punch. The water temp is about 79°, which is pretty normal for the time of year, but you wouldn’t want to be out there in these conditions. H-Reef (reef) is an exposed spot, and it’s just not cooperating.

Saturday the 25th of July shows a flicker of life. The morning swell bumps up to 6 ft from the ENE, but the wind is still cross and the energy is moderate (508). It’s marginal at best, with a score that says “questionable tide conditions.” The afternoon sees a drop in height to 2 ft, but a long-period 16-second groundswell from the E rolls in, giving a combined energy of 623. Still, the wind is cross, so it’s not clean. This long-period swell is better suited to a reef or point, but the conditions aren’t there yet.

Now, the standout moment arrives on Sunday the 26th of July. The morning is a write-off with cross-onshore wind and a messy 5 ft swell, but the afternoon is where it gets interesting. The swell holds at 5 ft from the E, with a very long 16-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 1535 – that’s strong. The wind is cross, not glassy, but it’s still a big step up. The swell direction (E) is a bit off the optimum NNE for H-Reef, but this kind of energy and period will still produce some solid, well-shaped waves at this reef. The water’s normal temp, but the size is getting into the intermediate zone. Crowds are possible here, so keep that in mind.

Monday the 27th of July keeps the momentum. The swell stays at 5 ft from the E, with a 14-second period and strong energy (1328). The wind eases to a gentle 9 mph cross-shore in the morning, which is a bit better for surface texture. It’s still marginal, but the quality is there. Tuesday the 28th of July sees the swell push to 7 ft in the afternoon from the ENE, with a 12-second period and very strong energy (1408). That’s expert territory at 7 ft, and the cross wind keeps it a bit lumpy, but if you’re experienced, it’s worth a look.

After that, the energy drops off through the end of July and into August. The swell settles back to 4 ft to 6 ft, with periods varying from 7 to 17 seconds. The wind stays cross, and the combined energy drops to moderate or weak (579 to 909). The 17-second period on Sunday the 2nd of August is tempting, but at just 4 ft, it’s not going to light up the reef properly. The last few days of the outlook are flat or marginal, with no real standouts.

Overall, the best bet is the afternoon of Sunday the 26th of July at H-Reef. The combination of a very long period groundswell, strong energy, and a decent 5 ft swell from the E makes it the pick. The wind is cross, not perfect, but it’s the most promising window in this 16-day stretch. Keep your eyes peeled for that Sunday.

Rusty.

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