Lighthouse Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk Lighthouse Reef. This spot is a tricky one – an exposed beach and reef setup that’s inconsistent and really only for advanced surfers. It rarely breaks, so when it does, it’s a bit of a special thing. The water temp is sitting at 50°F, which is about 1°F warmer than normal for this time of year, so nothing too wild.

Right now, early on Thursday the 9th of July, we’ve got a small 3ft swell from the ESE with a period of 11 seconds, and glassy conditions with a light SW wind. The combined energy is moderate (309). It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about.

Through Friday the 10th, the swell drops a touch to 3ft from the ESE, but the wind goes offshore WNW in the morning, and then glassy again in the afternoon. That’s clean, small surf. The energy is still moderate (257 and 249).

Saturday the 11th sees the swell drop further to 2ft from the E, period 10 seconds. Morning is offshore WNW, and the afternoon goes glassy with a north wind. It’s ordinary but surfable, with energy dropping to 160 and then 130.

Sunday the 12th is a write-off. Swell down to 1ft, weak energy (48 and 44), and cross-off/cross winds. Not worth paddling out.

Monday the 13th brings a bump back up to 3ft from the ENE, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so it’s a bit crumbly. The wind is cross-off from the north. Energy is moderate (134) in the morning, but drops to weak (66) in the afternoon. Ordinary.

Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th are flat and poor. Swell under 2ft, weak energy, and mostly cross-off or onshore winds. Skip it.

Thursday the 16th is even worse. A tiny 1.0ft swell with a long 13-14 second period, but the wind goes cross and then moderate rain with a 16 mph SSW cross. The energy is still weak (54 and 70). Not worth it.

Now, here’s the standout. Friday the 17th of July – this is the one to circle. The swell jumps to 4ft in the morning and 4ft in the afternoon from the ESE, with a very long 16-second period in the morning and 15 seconds in the afternoon. This is a proper groundswell. The wind is offshore from the west in the morning, and glassy in the afternoon. The combined energy is strong (674 and 785). This is the best surf on offer. Just remember, with that long period, it can be a bit straight at a beach break, but given it’s a reef setup, it should line up nicely. For advanced surfers only, as it’s over 3ft.

Saturday the 18th still has good energy, with 4ft in the morning and 4ft in the afternoon from the ESE, period 13 seconds. The wind is cross-off from the NW and NNW, so a bit less clean than Friday, but still very good. Energy is strong (621 and 469).

Sunday the 19th holds at 3ft in the morning and 3ft in the afternoon from the ESE, period 12 seconds. Offshore NW wind in the morning, glassy in the afternoon. Very good conditions, with energy dropping to moderate (295 and 264).

Monday the 20th drops to 2ft, but the afternoon goes glassy with a 2ft ESE swell at 12 seconds, and energy jumps back to moderate (271). It’s surfable, but not a standout.

Tuesday the 21st brings a 3ft ESE swell with a short 7-second period, but the wind is offshore WNW in the morning and glassy in the afternoon. The energy is moderate (209 and 269). Good for a small wave session.

From Wednesday the 22nd onward, it fades. Swell stays under 3ft, periods are short, and winds go cross-on or cross. By the 24th, you’re looking at 2ft with weak energy. The last week is pretty flat.

So, the bottom line: the best surf in this 16-day window is Friday the 17th of July at Lighthouse Reef, with a 4ft ESE groundswell, glassy conditions, and strong energy. That’s the one to get excited about. The 18th and 19th are also solid, but Friday is the pick.

Rusty

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