Inch Reefs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Howdy, Rusty here. Gotta be honest with ya—this stretch of August into September is lookin’ mostly flat and blown out at Inch Reefs. We got a lot of little, weak swell and windy days, so you’ll be sitting on the beach for a while before anything half decent shows up.

Right now, from the 20th through the 24th of August, it’s a bust. The water’s a touch warmer than normal for this time of year at 64°, which is a nice surprise, but that’s all. Swell is tiny—1ft to 2ft—with combined energy mostly under 100 (weak). Winds are cross-off or cross, and the surf is poor. Don’t bother.

Then, on the 25th of August, we get a little pulse. Tuesday brings in a 3ft W swell with a 9-second period, combined energy around 164-172 (moderate). It’s still just surfable but ordinary—winds are light cross-off, so the surface is clean, but the size and shape ain’t gonna light you up. Not a standout, but it’s a step up.

Now, the first real highlight comes on Wednesday the 26th of August. The morning is glassy—dead calm—with a 5ft W swell and a 9-second period. Combined energy hits 360 (moderate). The wind is offshore, so expect clean lines. This is the best early window for a paddle. The period is short, so the waves won’t have heaps of push, but for a point reef like Inch Reefs, it should still give you some fun ones. Just keep in mind this spot can get a crowd ‘sometimes’, so if it’s on, you might have company.

Friday the 28th of August morning is another runner. Another glassy morning, 5ft W swell but now with an 8-second period, energy at 258 (moderate). Again, short period, but clean and surfable. It’s not gonna blow your mind, but if you’re keen, it’s your next best shot.

Then we hit a long dry spell. From the 28th afternoon right through to the 3rd of September, it’s practically flat or blown out—tiny swell under 2ft, cross-on winds, and very low energy. That’s a solid 6-day blank run. Stay patient.

But hold onto your stick—on Thursday the 3rd of September, things get serious. The morning brings a 8ft WSW swell with a 9-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 1134 (strong). That’s over 5ft, so it’s too big for beginners, but for the advanced crew at Inch Reefs, it’ll be on. The wind is light cross-on, so there’ll be some chop on the face. It’s marginal with questionable tide, but the size is there. This is the standout of the whole forecast—big swell, decent period, and a point break that can handle it. If you’re an experienced surfer, mark this date. The only bummer is the wind isn’t perfect, but for 8ft at a point, you take what you get.

Friday the 4th of September morning keeps the size with another 8ft WNW swell, 11-second period, and combined energy at 1773 (very strong). But the wind is cross-on and choppy, so expect lumpy conditions. It’s big power, but messy. For experts only.

After that, it drops off quick into tiny junk.

So, bottom line: the best bet for clean, fun waves is the morning of Wednesday 26th August or the morning of Friday 28th August—both glassy with chest-high swell. The real charge is Thursday 3rd September for the big stuff. Don’t bother before the 25th. This is a patient man’s forecast.

Rusty.

Read more