Inch Reefs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. Looking at the 16-day window, truth be told, there’s a lot of average to poor conditions ahead. The first real chance of anything worth paddling out for is on Monday the 10th, but even then, it’s pretty small and weak. Most of the run is filled with onshore or cross-onshore wind, messy chop, and tiny swell. There’s a stretch from the 11th through the 13th where the energy jumps up, but the wind just doesn’t play ball. Standout in this whole outlook? Honestly, Monday morning the 10th at Inch Reefs is about as good as it’s gonna get, and I say that without much excitement.

Alright, let’s start with the first real recommendation. Monday the 10th of August, early. It’s glassy at Inch Reefs – proper glass – with a clean little 3ft swell out of the west, period at 8 seconds. The combined energy is weak at 82, so don’t expect much push, but for a quiet paddle it’s surfable. The wind is absolutely still, so the surface will be smooth as silk. Water temp is 64°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Crowds can be an issue here sometimes, but on a Monday morning with this size, you might have it quiet. That’s your best window.

Then things go a bit pear-shaped. Tuesday the 11th brings a cross-shore breeze and a tiny 1ft swell in the morning, energy at 85 – still weak. By the afternoon, a 3ft WSW swell rolls in with 11-second period, energy jumps to 307 (moderate), but the wind turns cross-onshore and choppy. Not ideal.

Wednesday the 12th sees the swell build a little – morning has 5ft from WSW, 9-second period, 373 energy – but again, cross-onshore breeze. Afternoon gets bigger: 6ft, 12-second period, 776 energy – that’s moderate to strong energy. But the wind is onshore from the SW, so it’s messy. That size is getting into expert territory, and with the onshore wind, it’s a no-go for me.

Thursday the 13th keeps the swell in the 4ft to 5ft range, energy still moderate (304 to 456), but wind stays cross-on or onshore. Marginal at best.

From Friday the 14th onward, the swell drops back under 3ft, and the wind chops things up or goes offshore but the swell is tiny. There’s a clean moment Friday afternoon with a cross-off breeze from the NNW at 12 mph, but only 3ft – not worth rushing for. The rest of the second week into late August is a mix of tiny swell, onshore wind, and occasional glassy mornings with almost no energy (down to 10 to 69). There’s a big blow on the 20th with 22 mph cross-winds and 5ft swell, but that’s a kite session if anything – 313 energy but messy cross-chop.

Overall, Monday the 10th morning is the only quiet standout. After that, it’s a long haul of poor to marginal conditions. Don’t hold your breath, but this time of year it can turn around quick.

Rusty.

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