Hullets Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, we’ve got a real mixed bag coming up for Hullets Reef. There’s a proper run of top-tier surf on the way, but we gotta wade through some ordinary days first, and the back half of the forecast has some real monsters lurking. The water is sitting at 60°, and that’s a massive 6° colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll be wanting a decent steamer.

The first real action worth paddling out for kicks off Sunday morning the 23rd. We’re looking at a solid 8ft of SW swell with an 11-second period. It’s got moderate wave energy behind it (1470), so there’s some proper push. The wind is a light 15 km/h westerly, cross-off, so it’ll be clean and workable. This is serious size though – over 8ft – so this one is for the experienced crew only. Sunday afternoon cleans up even more with a light 10 km/h SSW offshore and the swell dropping slightly to 7ft, still SW. The energy bumps up to 1583, and with that glassy offshore wind, the reef will be looking pristine. Monday the 24th holds good form too: 6ft SW swell in the morning, light cross-off breeze, and clean waves, then the afternoon sees a proper 20 km/h SW offshore with 6ft swell and energy at 1179. This is very good, clean surfing for the intermediate and above.

Tuesday the 25th is a standout. Morning brings a chunky 10ft SW groundswell with a long 14-second period and very strong energy (3107). That long period means the reef will handle it beautifully – nice shaped waves, plenty of power, and those longer lulls between sets. Wind is a gentle 15 km/h WSW offshore, keeping the face smooth. This is expert territory again size-wise. The afternoon keeps the quality with 8ft and 13-second period, still offshore. Absolutely top shelf.

We hit a rough patch Wednesday the 26th through to Friday morning the 28th. The wind swings onshore and the quality drops right off – poor surf conditions, messy, lumpy, not worth a look. Friday morning the 28th brings a brief window of hope: 5ft E swell, a 10-second period, and a glassy 5 km/h WSW offshore wind. Clean conditions, moderate energy (996), but the swell direction is off for the optimum SE, so it won’t be the best the reef can offer. Still, if you’re keen for a paddle, it’s the only clean option in that stretch.

The rest of that weekend into Monday the 31st is mostly average or blown out, but Monday afternoon the 31st is a ripper. A clean 10ft SW swell with a 12-second period, 20 km/h WSW offshore, and strong energy (2150). Expert-level size but perfect conditions. Tuesday the 1st of September and Wednesday the 2nd morning are poor again, but Wednesday afternoon the 2nd comes good: 8ft SW swell, 12-second period, a light 10 km/h southerly cross-off breeze, and clean, powerful waves (2001 energy). Good for experienced surfers.

Now, the back end of the forecast is absolutely huge, but you need to be very careful. Thursday the 3rd has a clean 12ft SW swell in the morning with fresh offshore wind, but the real talk is Friday the 4th. Friday morning serves up a massive 18ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period and insane energy (11867). That’s serious, heavy water. Light cross-shore wind though, and with that period, the reef will be holding proper lines – but only for the most experienced. Friday afternoon is even cleaner with a gentle offshore and the same 18ft size. Saturday the 5th morning holds 16ft with fresh cross-off wind, but the afternoon gets blown out by a near gale. Then Sunday the 6th peaks: 21ft SW groundswell in the morning, 14-second period, and a staggering 18052 energy. Afternoon sees 20ft with a 15-second period and a fresh offshore wind – clean, but this is only for absolute experts. Massive swell, heavy, dangerous.

If you’re an experienced surfer and you can handle serious size, the absolute standouts are Tuesday the 25th with that clean 10ft offshore swell and the massive Friday the 4th and Sunday the 6th – but those last two are only for the brave. For the everyday surfer, Sunday the 23rd afternoon and Monday the 24th offer the best balance of size and clean conditions. Crowds are possible at Hullets Reef, so keep that in mind for the better days.

Rusty.

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