Long Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for this stretch of the coast. We’ve got a classic reef setup that’s going to keep us on our toes over the next couple of weeks.

The overall pattern starts with a bit of a slow grind, builds into a cleaner run mid-week, then drops off before a really interesting, powerful end to the forecast. Water temps are sitting right on the money at 64°F for the time of year, nothing to complain about there.

We kick things off on Saturday the 1st. The morning has a bit of light rain but the wind is light offshore from the west, helping to keep that 5ft SSE swell (9 seconds) pretty clean. The wave energy is moderate (450). It’s not the biggest, but the conditions are tidy. By Saturday afternoon, things get a bit sketchy with a light onshore breeze, so the morning is the go.

Sunday the 2nd is a bit of a write-off. The morning has a cross-shore wind messing up a 5ft groundswell that has plenty of power (1012), and a long 13-second period means it’s better suited to a setup like this, but the wind just isn’t cooperating. The afternoon gets worse with a stronger onshore breeze. Leave it.

Monday the 3rd is a nice little window. Morning brings a clean, cross-offshore breeze and a smaller 3ft SE swell (11 seconds, 282 energy). It’s not big, but it’s clean and rideable. The afternoon is even lighter with a clean offshore breeze, but the swell drops to 3ft.

Tuesday the 4th through the morning of Wednesday the 5th is a dead zone. Swell drops to almost nothing. Don’t bother getting the wetsuit on.

Wednesday the 5th afternoon sees a pulse of 5ft S swell come in, but the wind is cross-onshore, making it choppy and messy. Not great.

Now, Thursday the 6th morning is a highlight you want to circle. We’ve got a clean 5ft S swell with a light offshore wind from the west. The energy is solid (391) and the conditions are clean. This is good, quality reef surf. The afternoon gets bigger (6ft) but the onshore wind kills it.

Friday the 7th morning is another standout. Glassy conditions with a 6ft S swell and a light offshore breeze. This is about as good as it gets for a solid session. The afternoon is blown out again.

Saturday the 8th morning is magic. Flat calm, glassy conditions with a 5ft S swell. The board will feel like it’s on rails. The afternoon turns into a choppy mess.

Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th are a bust. Strong winds, tiny or messy swell. A real gap of poor quality until the middle of the week.

Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th are mostly poor, but pay attention to Wednesday the 12th afternoon. A 7ft S swell shows up, but it’s being shredded by a strong cross-shore wind. It’s a messy one, but if you are desperate it’s there.

The real standout of the whole forecast, and I mean the one you’re setting an alarm for, is Saturday the 15th morning. This is a special one. The forecast shows a 3ft S swell, but look at the period: 21 seconds. That’s a very long period groundswell, and the combined energy is massive (1500). This is for experienced surfers only. The wind is a light cross-offshore, and the water will be clean. This is classic reef territory, and that long-period energy will wrap in beautifully. It’s deep, powerful, and the sets will be widely spaced. This is a session for the crew who know what they’re doing. The afternoon gets chopped by an onshore breeze.

Finally, Sunday the 16th shows a solid 5ft to 8ft S swell with a very long period (13-14 seconds) and a lot of energy (1340-2626), but it’s onshore wind all day. For a reef, that’s a bit of a messy, washing-machine scenario. One for the experts only, and even then, it’s a gamble.

The best of the best? Thursday the 6th morning and Friday the 7th morning for clean, solid, fun reef surf. But the absolute top-tier, don’t-miss-it session is Saturday the 15th morning for the deep, powerful, long-period groundswell. That’s the one.

Stay safe, watch the sets.

Rusty.

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