Kings Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

Look, I’m gonna be straight with you – the first week and a half of this outlook is a tough one for the paddle crew. We’ve got energy coming in, but the wind gods are just not playing ball. The whole forecast is for our one spot, Kings Reef, which is a reef and point setup that likes a good NNE swell. The issue is the wind is stuck cross-shore or cross-onshore from the ENE, keeping the surface messy and choppy. For a spot that’s advanced and exposed, that’s a no-go. From Wednesday the 5th of August right through to the weekend of the 16th, it’s all "poor surf conditions" with zero scores. The swell ticks up slowly, but with that moderate breeze and cross-chop, it’s not worth a paddle.

The combined energy stays moderate at best, with values like 234 and 357, but it’s all wasted on the wind. By the 8th of August, the swell is hitting 5 ft, but still with that cross-chop, so it’s just a frustrating wall of bump. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Now, we do see a shift in the second week. The swell builds steadily, and by Monday the 17th of August, we’re talking 8 ft to 8 ft from the ENE with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy jumps into strong territory, hitting 905 and then 1148 on the afternoon of the 17th. That’s solid groundswell energy. The wind stays cross, but the forecast flips to "marginal" with a score of 1 and 2, which is a big step up from the zero. On Tuesday the 18th, we get the biggest of the run: 10 ft swell with energy at 1318. That’s heavy, and at 8 ft+, it’s for experts only. The period is 9 seconds, so it’s not super long, but it’s enough to get some decent shape. The caveat? It’s still cross-shore, so it won’t be perfect, but it’s the only window that looks remotely interesting.

The standout here is Tuesday the 18th of August. The morning shows 8 ft and the afternoon hits 10 ft, both from the ENE. The energy is through the roof, and while the wind isn’t ideal, it’s the best we’ve got. Keep an eye on it, but don’t expect glassy perfection. Crowds are likely at Kings Reef, so be prepared for company.

Honestly, if you’re a kite surfer, this whole period is more interesting with that side-off wind and building swell. For paddle surfing, it’s a long wait for a marginal shot.

Rusty.

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