Surf Forecasts:
Long Reef surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, ESE swell with 248 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Long Reef this week:
The surf forecast for Long Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Long Reef in the next 16 days are 1.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Long Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Long Reef.
Looking at the whole 16-day stretch, it’s a mostly flat, blown-out affair. There’s a big dry spell for the first week and a half, with only a couple of proper sessions on offer. The best bet is around August 25th and the morning of the 26th, with a smaller glimmer on the 29th.
The first half is a bust. From Monday the 17th through to Sunday the 23rd of August, the swell is tiny, around 2 to 3 feet, mostly from the east or northeast, with periods under 8 seconds. The wind is onshore or cross-onshore, making for choppy, messy conditions. Wave energy is weak, topping out at 262 on Wednesday afternoon before it gets chopped again. Water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year.
There’s a clean, glassy morning on Wednesday the 19th, but you’re looking at a 2-foot swell from the east-southeast with a 10-second period. The energy is just 170. It’s surfable but nothing to write home about. A few more clean mornings on the 21st and 23rd, but the swell is barely 2 feet. The energy drops to as low as 25 on Saturday the 22nd afternoon.
The one to circle is Tuesday morning, August 25th. We get a 6-foot set from the south-southeast with a 9-second period. The combined energy hits 590, which is solid. Light cross-off wind from the northwest keeps it clean. This is a reef break and it’s for experts only. Crowds are possible.
Wednesday morning the 26th is also good. Swell drops to 4 feet from the south, but with an 11-second period and fresh offshore wind from the west-northwest. Energy is still high at 511. The wind is blowing 30 km/h, so it’ll be clean but challenging.
A small northeast swell shows up on Saturday morning, August 29th. You’re looking at 4-foot waves, but the period is short at 6 seconds. Light cross-off wind from the northwest keeps it clean. The energy is moderate at 279. It’s okay, but not a standout.
After that, it’s back to small and messy, with a glassy morning on September 1st but only 3-foot waves.
Keep your eyes on the 25th of August. That’s your best shot. The rest of the time, it’s mostly a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | S 11 | SE 7 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 182 | 113 | 83 | 93 | 82 | 69 | 100 | 80 | 248 | 162 | 68 | 104 | 68 | 53 | 34 | 26 | 19 | 19 | 16 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:45PM1.37m | 11:22AM1.35m | 11:29PM1.21m | 12:06PM1.33m | 00:16AM1.06m | 12:54PM1.30m | 1:11AM0.94m | 1:50PM1.27m | 2:23AM0.87m | 2:55PM1.26m | 3:45AM0.85m | 4:00PM1.28m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:02AM0.20m | 5:32PM0.36m | 5:37AM0.30m | 6:28PM0.43m | 6:14AM0.39m | 7:33PM0.49m | 6:56AM0.47m | 8:49PM0.51m | 7:52AM0.53m | 10:06PM0.50m | 9:00AM0.56m | 11:09PM0.45m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — |
mm | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | ESE 7 | S 9 | S 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 6 | E 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | S 5 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | 182 | 102 | 76 | 49 | 57 | 69 | 85 | 66 | 248 | 162 | 68 | 2 | 68 | 53 | 34 | 26 | 19 | 2 | 16 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | S 10 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | S 8 | S 8 | ESE 8 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SE 7 | S 5 | S 5 | SE 7 | S 6 |
| kJ | 46 | 113 | 53 | 24 | 82 | 56 | 100 | 80 | 12 | 5 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | ENE 10 | SSW 12 | SE 10 | E 9 | ESE 14 | S 10 | S 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 | — | S 13 | — | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 |
| kJ | 23 | 10 | 30 | 16 | 6 | 61 | 46 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | — | 9 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | — | — | — | NNW 3 | — | ENE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | W 3 |
| kJ | — | — | 83 | 93 | 31 | 16 | — | — | — | 3 | — | 104 | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 17 | 6 | 23 | 17 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 128 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 274 | 190 | 274 | 264 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sydney North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Long Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Long Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Long Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Long Reef surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Long Reef) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Long Reef may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Long Reef is 2 km (1 miles) from Dee Why. If you plan a holiday in Sydney North Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Dee Why. Dee Why has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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