Hammonds Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Hammonds Reef over the next couple of weeks.

Straight up, it’s a tough stretch. We’re looking at a long, dry run of poor surf conditions that stretches all the way from Saturday the 22nd of August, right through the entire week and into the start of September. For the first week and a half, there’s virtually nothing worth paddling out for. The swell is tiny, usually under 3ft, and the wind is a persistent light cross-on or cross-shore breeze, which is just enough to mess up what little shape there is.

The water temp is sitting at 69°F, which is a solid 6°F warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s pretty unusual. It’s warm, but with no waves to enjoy it, it’s a bit of a tease.

The first real glimmer of anything happens on Saturday the 29th of August – the afternoon session. Swell bumps up to 3ft from the SSW with a 16-second period, and the combined energy climbs to 452 (moderate). It’s still only a marginal call, but it’s the best we’ve seen. Then the following week starts to show a little more pulse. By Thursday the 3rd of September, the energy is up to 524, and by Friday the 4th we’re seeing 653 (strong wave energy). Swell is still around 3ft from the SSW, with a very long period of 19 seconds.

Now, that long period groundswell is a double-edged sword. At a reef like Hammonds Reef, a 19-second swell can produce some real beauty lines, but it can also be a bit too straight. The wind is still light cross-onshore though, so it won’t be glassy clean, but it’s manageable. The ratings for those days are marginal, but honestly, after weeks of nothing, this is the standout window. If you’re an advanced surfer, the morning of Friday the 4th of September looks like the best bet. The swell direction from the SSW is well off the optimum W direction, but the energy is there.

Don’t expect perfection. Crowds are often a problem here, and with the rest of the forecast being so flat, everyone will be sniffing around those late August and early September pulses. It’s a reef setup, so respect the rocks.

For the beginners, stay away. The swell never really gets big here, but the reef and the long period make it a spot for experienced paddlers only.

Overall, it’s a long, quiet start, but the end of the first week of September has a bit of life. Those sessions on the 4th are the ones to watch, but keep your expectations in check – it’s been a flat spell, and it might take a proper swell to wake this place up.

Stay patient, and keep an eye on the charts.

Rusty.

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