Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. Look, I’m gonna be straight with you – this 16-day window for Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) is a tough one. We’ve got a consistent run of south-southwest swell coming through, but the wind is just about always blowing onshore or cross-onshore, and that’s killing the quality. The water temp is sitting at 83°, which is a full degree warmer than usual for this time of year, so it’s noticeably toasty.

We kick off on Sunday, the 19th of July. The swell is small at 3 ft from the SSW with a 13-second period, but the wind is howling onshore at 16 mph and there’s a risk of thunderstorms. The combined energy is moderate (507), but the conditions are just poor. Nothing to get excited about. Monday the 20th sees the swell pick up a bit – 4 ft in the morning, rising to 6 ft in the afternoon from the S, with a long 18-second period. That’s a proper groundswell, but the cross-onshore wind at 12–16 mph has it messy and choppy. Energy is strong (1606–1917), but the surf is marginal at best. The S direction isn’t matching the optimum SW direction for this reef, and the wind is a dealbreaker.

Tuesday the 21st through to Sunday the 27th of July is a real grind. The swell hangs around 2 ft to 5 ft, mostly from the SSW or SSE, with periods between 10 and 16 seconds. The wind stays stubbornly onshore or cross-onshore, 9–16 mph, and the energy is mostly moderate to strong (343–1068). But every single session is rated as poor surf. It’s not worth paddling out – the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, with that consistent wind and choppy water.

Now, there’s a little flicker of hope around the end of the month. On the 29th of July, Wednesday afternoon, we get a glimpse of something better: 3 ft from the SSW with a very long 20-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 1505. Still cross-onshore and choppy, but that period is special. Then on Thursday the 30th, the swell is 3–4 ft from the SSW, 18-second period, and the energy is strong (1565–1661). Still cross-onshore, but the waves will have more push and shape. Friday the 31st of July sees the biggest swell of the run – 5–6 ft from the SSW, 17–18 seconds, and energy is very strong (2116–2301). But again, the cross-onshore wind at 16 mph and the risk of thunderstorms mean it’s all poor surf quality. For experts only, if they’re desperate.

The first week of August is more of the same. Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd have 3–5 ft SSW swell, moderate to strong energy, but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore. Monday the 3rd of August has the last kick: 5–6 ft from the SSW, 17–18 seconds, and very strong energy (1982–2034). But it’s another poor surf day with onshore wind.

The only standout that might be worth a look is Monday the 20th of July, but only if you’re an advanced surfer and can handle the chop. The swell is 6 ft from the S, 16-second period, and the energy is strong (1917). The direction is close to the optimum SW, but the wind is cross-onshore and choppy. It’s the best of a bad bunch, but don’t expect perfection. The rest of the window is a write-off – gaps of days with no real recommendations. The conditions are just too windy and messy. We’ll see if the forecasts change, but for now, leave the board on the roof.

Rusty.

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