Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, this is Rusty. I’m calling it as I see it – the next 16 days are a tough stretch for Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa). The water temp is about normal for this time of year, nothing special.

The whole forecast is plagued by a steady moderate breeze out of the west and northwest, leaving the ocean choppy or just plain messy. The swell is mostly from the south and southwest, with some long-period groundswells in the mix, but the wind is ruining any chance of clean waves. For a reef break, that’s a real bummer.

We kick off on Tuesday 21 July with a 5ft south swell, 15-second period, and combined energy of 1138 (moderate). The cross-on wind makes it poor and choppy. Wednesday is similar, just smaller. From Thursday through the end of July, it’s all “poor” or “marginal” at best, with heights mostly under 4ft, and the wind staying cross-on or onshore. The combined energy drops into the 300s and 400s some days (weak to moderate), telling you the power is just not there.

There’s a real gap in the middle – from Friday 25 July right through the second week – where the score is basically zero every session. The only hint of life is on Friday 31 July afternoon, which gets a marginal “1” but it’s still cross-on and choppy.

Heading into the first week of August, the swell builds. Saturday 1 August brings 5ft from the SSW with a 16-second period and combined energy of 1854 (strong). But the cross-on wind kills it, and it’s rated poor. By Monday 3 August, the energy jumps to 2924 (very strong) with a 5ft SSW swell at 18 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell – but it’s onshore and unknown. The standout in size and power is Tuesday 4 August: 8ft from the SSW, 18-second period, and combined energy of 3667 (very strong). That’s expert-only territory, but it’s cross-on and choppy. For a reef, that’s no good. Honestly, it’s more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

There’s not a single day I’d recommend paddling out. The wind is the enemy, and the swell direction never matches the optimum SW direction for this break. If you’re desperate, the last week of July has the smallest swell and the gentlest breeze, but it’s still poor. Keep an eye on the charts – this blank run won’t last forever, but for now, save your energy.

Rusty.

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