Long Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what Long Reef is offering over the next couple weeks.

First off, the opening days are rough. Sunday the 9th sees some 3ft waves from the ENE, but the wind is a cross-off breeze and the energy is weak (174). It’s surfable but nothing special – just ordinary.

Monday the 10th is a total loss. Swell jumps to 7ft in the morning, then drops to 5ft in the afternoon, but the wind is screaming at 22-25 mph from the NNW and NW. Combined energy hits 679 (moderate), but with that wind, it’s just blown-out junk.

Then we get a little break. Tuesday the 11th morning has a tiny 3ft ENE swell with light offshore wind – clean but tiny. The real highlight is Tuesday afternoon: glassy conditions, light air from the NE, and a 3ft south groundswell with a 11-second period. That’s long period, so the waves will have some punch. Combined energy is 283 (moderate). It’ll be clean and fun for a small-wave session, but it’s not a standout.

Wednesday the 12th morning is also decent – 3ft from the south, 10-second period, clean offshore breeze from the WNW. Nice and tidy, but still small.

Now, the big one. Thursday the 13th morning: a solid 7ft south swell with an 8-second period. Combined energy is a hefty 1074 – that’s strong. The wind is cross-off from the SW at 9 mph, keeping it clean. This is the best of the first week – proper size for experienced surfers, with good shape and power. For beginners, that’s too big. The water temp is 63°, which is about 2° cooler than average – nothing crazy, just a typical winter chill.

Friday the 14th morning is also good: 6ft south swell, clean cross-off wind, moderate energy (586). A solid follow-up, but not the standout.

After that, it’s mostly a mess. From Saturday the 15th through Monday the 24th, we get cross-shore winds, onshore slop, and short-period windswell. There are a few clean moments – like Tuesday the 18th morning with a 4ft SE swell and light cross-shore wind, or Saturday the 23rd morning with glassy conditions and 5ft from the ENE – but they’re inconsistent and not worth planning around.

The second week has a few *okay* windows. Wednesday the 19th morning has 5ft from the ESE with a clean cross-off breeze. Thursday the 20th morning has 5ft from the ENE with light cross-off wind. Friday the 21st morning is similar. The long-range maybe is Saturday the 22nd morning – 7ft from the NE, but the wind is cross-shore and the period is only 7 seconds. Energy is strong (761), but it’s more of a kite-surfing setup than clean paddle surfing.

To sum it up: Thursday the 13th morning is the clear winner – solid south swell, clean wind, strong energy. Tuesday the 11th afternoon is the glassy small-wave session for the patient crew. For the rest, keep your expectations low and your wetsuit ready.

Rusty.

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