Long Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming.

First couple of days are dead. Friday (3rd July) – you’d be wasting your time. Tiny 2ft waves from the NE with a weak period, energy at 45, and even though it’s offshore wind at 15 mph from the WNW, there’s nothing to surf. Friday afternoon is the same – 2ft, forget it.

Saturday morning (4th July) is the first real sign of life. Long Reef starts pumping. Swell hits 4ft from the south with a solid 12-second period – proper groundswell – and energy jumps to 424 (moderate). Offshore wind from the west at just 6 mph, glassy and clean. The south swell matches the optimum SE direction for this exposed reef. This is a standout morning for anyone who knows what they’re doing. Water temp is 66°, about normal for this time of year. It’s a reef, so be careful, and it’s fairly consistent. Crowds can show up – sometimes busy.

Saturday afternoon fades: 4ft, period drops to 9 seconds, wind swings onshore from the SE. Choppy. Skip it.

Sunday 5th July: big but tricky. Morning has 10ft from the south, 10-second period, massive energy at 2097 (strong). Fresh cross-off wind from the SSW at 18 mph keeps it clean, but this is expert territory only. Too big for most. Afternoon stays 10ft but wind goes cross-shore with rain – messy and marginal.

Monday 6th July: 8ft from the SSE but onshore wind and rain. Choppy, ugly, not worth it.

Tuesday 7th July: morning has 7ft from the SSE, 10-second period, cross-off from SSW at 12 mph. Clean but marginal. Energy is moderate at 1183. Not great, not terrible. Afternoon similar but messier.

Wednesday 8th July morning: now this is a beauty. 7ft from the SE, 10-second period, offshore from the west at just 6 mph. Energy at 977 (moderate). Clean, lined-up, perfect wind. This is very good surf. Afternoon gets choppy.

Thursday 9th July morning: another solid session. 5ft from the SE, 10-second period, cross-off from WSW at 9 mph. Energy 515. Clean and fun. Afternoon goes messy.

Friday 10th July: morning has 4ft from the SE, 9-second period, clean with light cross-off wind. Afternoon stays tidy: 3ft, cross-off from SSW at 6 mph, energy 247. Both clean but nothing to write home about.

Saturday 11th July: morning small at 3ft from the SE, 9 seconds, offshore from WSW at 6 mph. Ordinary. Afternoon drops to 2ft and goes onshore.

Sunday 12th July and Monday 13th July morning: flat or tiny. Monday 13th afternoon though – big standout. Swell builds to 8ft from the south, 10-second period, offshore from the west at 12 mph. Energy 1233 (strong). Clean, powerful, excellent for experienced surfers only. Circle this one.

Tuesday 14th July through Friday 17th July: mostly poor – clean but small or blown out. Then Saturday 18th July morning: massive. 10ft from the south, 11-second period, offshore from WSW at 9 mph. Energy 2213 (strong). Excellent but expert-only. Afternoon hits 13ft from the SSE but wind goes onshore – messy and marginal.

Best bets: Saturday 4th July morning for the first clean swell. Wednesday 8th July morning for clean, solid waves. Monday 13th July afternoon for big, clean power. Long Reef delivers when it lines up.

Rusty.

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