Lawrencetown Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’re looking at a pretty slim run ahead for Lawrencetown Reef. Don't get your hopes up too high just yet – there’s a long stretch of mediocrity before we see anything real. The water temp is about where it should be for this time of year, nothing unusual there.

The next week and a half is mostly a write-off. You’ve got some tiny swell and messy wind for days on end. Sunday morning, the 2nd of August, starts off with a glimmer of hope – glassy conditions and a 3ft south swell, but the energy is weak (136) and the period is short, so it’s pretty fat and gutless. After that, it’s a tough watch. Winds turn onshore or cross-onshore, the swell drops, and we’re stuck with chop and poor conditions right through to the following Saturday, the 9th. That’s a solid week of barely surfable junk.

There’s a bit of a pulse trying to build on Tuesday the 11th. The morning is still ordinary, but Tuesday afternoon brings a 5ft south-southwest swell and clean conditions with a light cross-offshore breeze. The energy picks up to 202, which is moderate, and the waves will have a bit more shape. It’s not huge, but after a week of nothing, it’s the first real chance to get wet in some half-decent lines.

The standout window, if you can wait, hits on Sunday the 16th of August. We get a 5ft southerly swell jumping to 304 energy – that’s solid, punchy stuff. It’s a little short period at 7 seconds, so it’ll be a bit dumpy on the reef, but with a moderate offshore breeze from the north-northeast, it’s going to be clean and rippable. The morning is the pick, with some proper power behind it. By the afternoon, the swell pushes to 6ft and the wind holds offshore, but the conditions start to get a bit more challenging – still good for the crew who know the lineup.

That Monday the 17th hangs in there with a 4ft south swell and a clean offshore breeze. The energy drops off a bit, but it’s a solid follow-up session.

For the size, this stuff stays in the 3ft to 6ft range, so it’s manageable for intermediates, but on the bigger afternoon of the 16th, the stronger current and punchy waves will be more for the experienced heads. Crowds are often a factor here, so get out early if you want a clean peak.

Overall, the best call is the Sunday 16th of August morning session. The swell has the most power and the wind is perfect. Second best is the Tuesday 11th of August afternoon for the first decent sign of life.

Stay patient, folks. It’s a long wait but there’s something worth paddling out for.

Rusty.

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