Inch Reefs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get real about the next couple of weeks. Honestly, the surf calendar looks pretty patchy, with a definite dry spell before we see anything worth getting excited about.

The long-range picture is where the real hope lies. We’re looking at a window around the 22nd of August that has some serious potential. But for the next week or so, it’s mostly about small, messy waves and waiting for the ocean to sort itself out.

Right off the bat, the surf is pretty uninspiring. On the 12th, we’ve got some chest-high swell at Inch Reefs, but the winds are all over the place, making it messy and unappealing. The following days, from the 13th through the 16th, are a write-off. The swell drops right out, and we’re left with tiny, weak waves. It’s one of those stretches where you’re better off doing a beach clean-up or fixing your gear than paddling out. The energy in the water during this time is really low (values in the low hundreds and below), and there’s just nothing to work with.

We finally see a pulse of energy arrive on Monday the 17th. The morning still looks shaky, but the afternoon session shapes up with a clean, cross-off breeze and some waist-to-chest-high waves. It’s not perfect, but it’s the first real glimmer of surfable conditions. The energy is moderate (201), so there’s a bit of push behind it.

Then, hold on to your board. The 18th sees a significant jump in size, but it’s a total mess. The wind goes onshore and cranks, blowing out what could have been a fun few waves. The swell is solid – a good 7 to 10 feet (2.1m to 3.0m) – with strong energy (567 jumping to 1629), but it’s lumpy, bumpy, and not worth the fight unless you’re a glutton for punishment. This is followed by gale-force winds on the 19th that just destroy any chance of a wave. The coast is a washing machine, and the swell direction is all wrong.

After that storm blows through, the ocean needs a couple of days to settle. The 20th and 21st are small, clean, but pretty weak. It’s the kind of surf that’s there if you’re desperate, but you won’t be telling your mates about it.

Now, for the standout. The real story is the 22nd of August. We’re looking at a solid pulse of west-southwest swell that lines up perfectly with what Inch Reefs loves. The waves are going to be a solid 7 feet (2.2m) with good energy (768), and to top it off, the morning is forecast to be glassy. This is the day you want to clear your schedule for. This point break is a fair-weather friend, but when it’s on, it’s on. Expect a proper session. Just know it’s a fairly consistent spot, and with those conditions, crowds are likely.

The window after that fades pretty quickly. The 23rd and 24th see the swell drop back down to the waist-high range, and the winds become a bit more variable. The 25th through the 27th are pretty poor again, with the 27th seeing another big storm blow through with strong onshore winds and a jump in size to 8 feet (2.5m), but it’s not going to be clean. That's just a wild, blown-out mess.

So, if you’re looking for the one to circle, it’s Saturday the 22nd. That’s the one with real potential for a memorable surf. Everything else before that is just a filler. Stay patient.

I’m Rusty, signing off.

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