Lighthouse Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, Rusty here. Let's be real – it's a slow one for Lighthouse Reef. A long wait for anything you'd want to paddle out for, with heaps of flat, weak, or blown-out junk in between. Water temp is about 50°, which is a tad warmer than usual for this time, but that doesn't put the fun in the waves.

We kick off with two days of rubbish on Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st. Sunday's got tiny 0.7ft to 1ft dribble from the SSE with a long period, but cross-off winds and bugger-all energy (29-106) make it a no-go. Monday afternoon turns into a total mess with a strong southerly wind and a short-period 5ft south swell, just cross-shore chop.

We finally see a tiny window on Tuesday morning, the 1st of September. The swell bumps up to a clean 4ft from the SSE with a solid 12-second period, and the wind goes glassy. Energy is moderate (378), so there's a bit of push. But it's a quick hit, as the afternoon gets choppy again.

Wednesday the 2nd is our first real shot, though. Morning brings a clean, 3ft SE swell with a nice 15-second period and a gentle offshore. The energy is strong (468), and it’ll be clean. This is the standout of the first week, but even then, it's an advanced wave and the spot is inconsistent. That long period means it'll be looking for the reef, which is good, but be ready for lulls. The afternoon gets messy with a cross-off, so hit it early.

Thursday the 3rd is pretty ordinary, with a dropping swell (energy 104). Then from Friday the 4th all the way to Tuesday the 9th of September, it’s a dead zone. We're talkin' tiny waves, onshore slop, or glassy flatness. A 0.7ft SSE swell and a 2ft S swell just aren't gunna cut it. That's a solid five days of nothing.

Now, the second week. There's a glimmer on Wednesday the 9th morning when it goes glassy again, but the swell is tiny. Thursday the 10th morning has a 4ft NE swell with a short 7-second period and a light offshore, but the energy is low (181) and the period's too short to get excited about. Surfable, but only just.

Then, lookin' ahead, Saturday the 12th has some serious potential, but it's a way off. The morning shows a punchy 7ft SSE swell with a short, punchy 8-second period. The energy is very strong (696). And it's glassy. That size at Lighthouse Reef is expert territory – way too big for beginners – and with that short period, it'll be heavy and dumpy. Only for the experienced crew, and the crowds here can be sometimes a factor.

The final nod goes to Monday the 14th of September. The morning shows a clean 4ft ESE swell with a 10-second period and a light cross-off breeze. The energy is moderate (279). It's the most consistent-looking wave in the second week, with decent shape and clean conditions. Not classic, but your best bet overall.

Stay patient, keep an eye on that Saturday the 12th morning if you're advanced, and don't waste your time on the rest.

Rusty.

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