Long Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The next couple of weeks have some real standouts but you’ve gotta be patient and pick your moments. We’re looking at Long Reef mostly – solid reef break that needs the right conditions to shine.

The forecast kicks off on Tuesday the 25th, but to be honest, that’s pretty ordinary. A bit of NE swell coming in at 5.2 ft with only a 7 second period – not much shape there, and a lumpy cross-off wind isn’t helping. Wednesday and Thursday look even worse, with messy winds and dropping energy. There’s a gap of a few days here where there’s really nothing to get excited about.

Now, Friday the 28th morning is where I start to pay attention. We’ve got clean conditions with glassy, offshore wind from the WSW at just 5 km/h. Swell is 5.2 ft from the SSE with an 11-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy (combined energy 635 – moderate). That setup will have the reef singing. It’s still manageable for strong intermediates, clean and lined up. Crowds are possible at Long Reef, so get in early.

Saturday the 29th morning bumps up to 7.2 ft from the S at 9 seconds (combined energy 866 – moderate), but it’s cross-off wind and clean. That’s getting into bigger territory – strong intermediate or above only. If you’re a beginner, that’s too much. We see a little drop off again after that, with some cleaner but smaller days.

Now, the real standout – mark Thursday the 3rd of September. That’s the best on offer across the whole outlook. We get a very long period groundswell from the S at 20 seconds. Swell height is 4.6 ft to 5.6 ft, but that combined energy is massive (2015 to 2503 – strong). Offshore wind on Thursday afternoon – WNW at 20 km/h – and clean conditions. This is a point-break-style setup at a reef, so that long-period energy will wrap in perfectly. It’s only for experienced surfers though – not a day for learners.

Another solid window hits on Saturday the 5th September afternoon – 6.6 ft from the S, 12-second period, light NNW cross-off wind at 10 km/h. That’s clean, powerful swell. Combined energy is still strong (1127). Again, that’s expert territory with the size.

Outside of those, the middle of the first week of September sees some smaller, clean options but nothing to write home about. There’s a bit of a gap from around the 6th onward, with small, short-period leftovers and some onshore winds. Not much going on.

Water temp at Long Reef is about 63.5°F at the start, which is about average for this time of year – nothing unusual there.

So, in short: the real days to circle are Friday 28th morning, possibly Saturday 29th morning if you’ve got the skills, and then Thursday 3rd September is the absolute gem – clean, big groundswell, offshore winds. Saturday 5th afternoon is another expert session. The rest is mostly filler or too messy.

Stay keen.

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