Jarosite Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks at Jarosite Reef. We’ve got a solid stretch of swell coming, but the wind is going to be the main character for a while.

The pattern kicks off with a chunky southwest groundswell that’s already building. The water is sitting at 57°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Wednesday afternoon the 22nd has a 6 ft SW swell at 13 seconds, but a 12 mph cross-offshore wind from the WSW is blowing. The combined energy is strong (1413), but the conditions are only marginal. It’s a start, but not the pick.

Thursday morning the 23rd is where the real juice arrives. We’re looking at a solid 12 ft SW swell with a 14-second period and a clean 12 mph cross-off from the W. The energy is very strong (7079). This is an advanced crew-only session – 12 ft is too big for beginners. The wind is clean, making it powerful and lined up. That’s the standout of the first week. The afternoon drops to 10 ft but the wind picks up to 19 mph, still cross-off, but a bit more of a handful.

Friday the 24th sees the swell ease slightly to 8 ft from the SSW, period lengthening to 15 seconds, with a 12 mph cross-off in the morning. Clean and chunky, still in the expert range. The afternoon gets windier.

Saturday the 25th dips to 7 ft in the morning from the SSW, then jumps back to 10 ft from the SW in the afternoon. A bit of a mixed bag with the wind staying cross-off.

Sunday the 26th morning is a real sweet spot for the more moderate surfer. The swell drops to 5 ft from the SW, and we get a true offshore wind from the WNW at 12 mph. The energy is moderate (465), but it’s clean. This is a very good window for a strong intermediate.

Monday the 27th keeps a similar, clean offshore flow in the morning with a 4 ft SW swell, 12-second period. Nice, clean, manageable.

Tuesday the 28th is another standout. A 7 ft SSW swell at 15 seconds, with a gentle 9 mph offshore from the NW. The combined energy is strong (2147). This is excellent, clean swell for experienced surfers. The afternoon has a similar 7 ft swell but with a 16-second period, very long period groundswell. This will be lining up beautifully on the reef, but might be a bit too straight for a beach break. On a reef like this, it’s going to be world-class.

From Wednesday the 29th, things turn sour. The wind goes onshore or cross-onshore, and the quality drops off a cliff. The swell is still there, but it’s choppy and messy. This run of poor conditions lasts several days, right through to the end of the month.

The first week of August brings a reprieve. Saturday the 1st of August shows a 3 ft SW swell with a very long 17-second period, and light cross-off winds. Clean, long period groundswell. Sunday the 2nd of August morning is even better: a 3 ft SW swell, 17-second period, with a gentle offshore. Glassy conditions. The energy is moderate (651), but it’s super clean. This is a great window for a longboard or a funboard.

The end of the run from Monday the 3rd of August onwards gets hammered by strong southerly winds, making it a complete write-off.

So, the true standouts are Thursday morning the 23rd July for the big, powerful, clean swell (12 ft SW, 14s), and Tuesday morning the 28th July for the excellent, long-period groundswell (7 ft SSW, 15s) with gentle offshore wind. The early August window is promising but less certain. Just remember, Jarosite is a reef break for advanced surfers, and it can get crowded sometimes.

Rusty.

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