Inch Reefs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll level with you – the next couple of weeks are a real mixed bag for Inch Reefs. There’s some solid swell on the horizon, but the wind’s going to be a pain in the arse for most of it. The water’s sitting at a very unusual 64°, way warmer than we’d expect for this time of year, so at least you won’t need the thickest rubber.

The first few days are basically a write-off. Friday afternoon (28th August) through to Monday morning (31st August) we’ve got next to nothing – swell height is a measly 0.7ft to 3ft, and what little there is has a short period of 6 to 9 seconds. The combined energy is very weak (3 to 168), and the wind is cross-onshore or onshore pretty much the whole time. It’s choppy, messy, and not worth paddling out for.

We get a bit of a pulse from Sunday (30th August) to Tuesday (1st September) with the swell lifting to 5ft to 6ft from the WSW and W, and the period hanging around 8 to 10 seconds. The wave energy picks up into the moderate range (277 to 606). But the wind remains cross-onshore or onshore, so the quality is marginal at best. It’s not a complete flat spell, but you’d be fighting the wind for a so-so wave.

Then from Wednesday (2nd September) right through to the first week of September, the swell gets a bit more grunt, but the wind becomes a real problem. On Wednesday afternoon (2nd September), we’re looking at 7ft from the WSW with a short 7-second period and a solid 16 mph cross-onshore. The energy is moderate (559), but it’s choppy and lumpy. Thursday (3rd September) sees a big spike: a 8ft WNW swell with a 10-second period and a huge combined energy of 1250 – that’s strong wave energy. But with a fresh 19 mph cross-onshore wind, it’s blown out and messy.

Friday (4th September) drops right off again to a tiny 1ft swell, though it has a very long period of 14 seconds. The energy is weak (53), and the wind is still cross-onshore. That long period groundswell would be better for a point or reef, but there’s barely any size and the wind’s no good.

The real standout, and the only time I’d get genuinely excited, is Thursday morning, 10th September. We’ve got a clean 4ft swell from the SW with a 7-second period. The wind is a light, cross-offshore breeze from the ESE at 9 mph, and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” The combined energy is moderate at 260. It’s not huge, but for this stretch of poor conditions, that offshore wind will make it clean and fun.

Later on Thursday afternoon (10th September), the swell jumps to 6ft from the SW with a longer 10-second period and energy of 569. The wind goes light and cross-shore, so it’s still a decent option, though the tide might play tricks on you.

The second week gets messy again. Friday (11th September) and Saturday (12th September) have some size – 5ft to 8ft – but the wind is strong and often cross-shore or cross-offshore. The Saturday afternoon (12th September) has a 8ft WSW swell with a 9-second period and massive energy of 997. The wind is cross-offshore from the NNW at 19 mph, so it’ll be clean, but that’s a lot of power. Over 8ft and it’s only for the experts. With a beach break setup and that much energy, the kite surfers might be having a better time than the paddle crew.

Overall, if you’re keen, aim for Thursday morning, 10th September. It’s the only time the stars line up for clean, manageable waves at Inch Reefs.

Rusty.

Read more