Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the Hikkaduwa area over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – this is a tough outlook. The only spot we’ve got any info on is Inside Reef, and the story is pretty grim for the entire 16-day window.

Right from the start, Saturday the 5th to the end of the period on Sunday the 20th, it’s all the same story at Inside Reef: poor surf conditions. The whole run is plagued by onshore wind, mostly from the WSW or W, blowing at 9 to 19 mph. That’s the kiss of death for quality here. The water temp is sitting at about average for this time of year, which is one small comfort, but it doesn’t help the waves.

We start off with a bit of swell on Saturday the 5th, around 4 ft from the S, with a period of 10 seconds and moderate energy levels (422). But with that wind, it’s messy. The situation doesn’t improve. The swell sticks around, and actually builds significantly by the second week. Look at Thursday the 10th: 4 ft to 5 ft from the SSW, with a very long period up to 18 seconds, and the energy is strong (1402). That’s decent groundswell potential on paper, but the wind is still on it, ruining the shape.

The real standout in terms of raw power comes on Saturday the 12th. Swell jumps to 7 ft from the SSW, period of 18 seconds, and the combined energy hits a massive 3572. That is very strong wave energy. For a reef break, that’s expert territory. Anything over 8 ft is only for the brave, and 7 ft is getting proper big. The problem? The wind is still howling from the W at 16 mph. It’s a shame, because with that long period (over 15 seconds), the reef would be handling it beautifully, but the onshore wind will chop it to pieces.

The only other time we see a change in wind state is on Wednesday the 16th afternoon, when it shifts to a cross-on direction. Even then, the wave comment says "moderate cross-onshore and choppy." So, no real relief.

This break is rated for advanced surfers, is fairly consistent with the swell, and it’s exposed, so it’s getting everything. The optimum swell direction is SW, and we’re getting swells from S and SSW, which is close enough. But the wind is the enemy here. The crowds are listed as "sometimes," but with conditions this poor, I doubt many will be out.

Honestly, there is no good surf on offer in this 16-day window. The guidance doesn’t give us any other breaks to look at, so this is it. For a spot like this, which is a reef break, the setup looks more interesting for a kite session than a paddle session when the wind is this strong and consistent. The swell is too good to waste, but the wind is just wrong for us.

We’ll have to wait for a change in the weather pattern. For now, this is a blank run, and it’s a long one. Keep your hopes up, though – forecasts can change.

Rusty.

Read more