Inch Reefs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about Inch Reefs. This is one of those stretches where we’ve got a whole lot of nothing before something shows up, and then it might be a bit too much of a good thing. This south-west facing point break is exposed, likes swell from the SW, and needs a good alignment of conditions to really fire. We’re looking at a solid gap here.

So, right now and for the next week and a half, it’s pretty grim. From Tuesday the 4th all the way through to Saturday the 16th, it’s a desert. The swell is tiny, the winds are mostly onshore or cross-shore, and the energy is weak—down in the double digits most days, for example just 29 on the morning of the 4th. The water is sitting at about 63°F, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year, but that’s about the only interesting thing. You won’t want to paddle out.

The first real glimmer comes on Sunday the 16th. The morning session looks glassy with a clean 3 ft swell from the WSW, but the energy is still weak (133) and the wave comment says "very ordinary conditions." Not a standout, but a sign of life.

Now, the true hope is for Monday the 17th. This is the one. It’s the clear standout. The morning shows a solid 5 ft swell from the west, with a clean cross-offshore wind from the north. Energy jumps to 990—which is strong energy. By the afternoon, the swell bumps up to 7 ft from the west, the wind stays clean cross-off from the NNW, and the energy is massive at 1371. The wave comment for the afternoon says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. This is the best window. The swell period is 11 seconds, so it’s a solid groundswell, with good shape and power. The wind will keep it clean, and with a point break like this, those lines should reel off. Just be aware, at 7 ft it’s pushing into expert territory, so you want to know what you’re doing. Crowds are possible here.

Tuesday the 18th, though… look, the morning has a massive 10 ft west swell, the wind is glassy, but the forecast is clear: the swell is too big for the break. That’s a no-go unless you’re chasing a washing machine. The afternoon drops a bit to 8 ft, but the wind goes cross-on, and it’s only a marginal call. The real window was Monday.

So to sum it up: stick it out through the long quiet spell, and aim for Monday the 17th. That’s your best chance for clean, powerful waves at Inch Reefs. The long-range call is promising, but with any forecast over a week out, keep your fingers crossed.

— Rusty

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