Inch Reefs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee and settle in, this is a long-range look at what’s on the cards for Inch Reefs. It’s a pretty average start to the period, but if you’re patient and an experienced surfer, there’s something special waiting for you deep in the second week. Let’s break it down.

The water temperature right now is sitting at 64°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Nothing wild, but you might notice it’s a little more comfortable than usual.

The next couple of weeks start off flat and messy. The weekend of the 29th and 30th of August is a write-off. We’ve got a tiny 0.7 ft to 3 ft swell from the south, with cross and onshore winds. The surf is poor and the energy is weak (3). Honestly, don’t bother. Sunday the 30th sees a bit more size – 7 ft from the west-southwest – but with a risk of thunderstorms and onshore wind, it’s just not happening. The wave energy is moderate (666), but the conditions are too rough.

The entire first week of September is pretty grim. Monday the 31st through to Thursday the 5th, the swell sits between 5 ft and 10 ft, but it’s all from the west or southwest with cross-on or onshore wind. The wind is a real killer here, stirring up chop and making it messy. The wave energy fluctuates from moderate (255) to very strong (1364), but the quality is never there. This stretch is a good time to check your gear or take a holiday. There’s not a single standout session for a surfer.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Sunday the 6th of September morning is a bit of a beast. The swell is a solid 12 ft from the west-southwest, with a period of 11 seconds and a massive wave energy of 2716. The wind is light and cross-on, so it’s fairly choppy but the wind comment says it’s favorable for this break. But, and this is a big one, it’s predicted to be too big for this spot. That’s a warning sign. However, later that afternoon, things change. The wind swings to a light offshore from the north-northeast at just 3 mph, the swell is a still-pumping 8 ft from the west-southwest, and the energy is 1430. The forecast says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. That’s your window. The waves will be clean, the wind is perfect, and it’s a point break that handles the long-period groundswell well. This is the standout of the entire outlook. Get out there if you can handle the size.

Monday the 7th of September morning holds a 10 ft swell from the west, with a 9-second period – that’s shorter, more windswell-like energy. The wind is offshore from the northeast at 6 mph, and the water is clean. The wave energy is 1559, very strong. Again, it’s flagged as too big for the break, so only for experts. The afternoon is similar, with a north cross-offshore wind and a 10-second period.

After that, the swell drops off a cliff. From Tuesday the 8th of September right through to the end of the forecast on the 13th, the surf is tiny, from 0.7 ft to 4 ft, with weak energy (as low as 6). The winds are mostly onshore or cross-on, and it’s just poor. The 13th of September morning has a longer period swell of 14 seconds from the west at 3 ft, but with a fresh breeze blowing onshore, it’s a wasted opportunity.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a total bust. The real action is a single, high-quality window for experienced surfers on the afternoon of Sunday the 6th of September. Get your timing right, and you’ll be laughing. Otherwise, it’s a long, quiet wait.

Rusty.

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