Long Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks.

First up, the overall pattern: we’ve got a mix of very small, clean windows and a couple of bigger pulse days. The next few days are pretty ordinary, but don’t write it off just yet. There’s a solid run of swell building into the second week, with a couple of proper standouts for the crew who know what they’re doing.

Let’s start with the here and now. Monday morning at Long Reef is nothing to get excited about – tiny 3 ft swell from the SE, period of 11 seconds, but the wind is a light cross from the north. The wave energy is weak (282), and the water is sitting at 63°, which is about 1° cooler than normal for this time of year. Not a huge deal, but you’ll feel it. The afternoon cleans up a bit with a WSW offshore breeze, but the swell drops to 3 ft, so it’s still a real ankle-snapper.

Tuesday stays tiny, with 1 ft junk. Wednesday morning is clean with a light offshore from the west, but the swell is only 1.0 ft. You’d be better off staying in bed.

Thursday morning offers a glimmer of hope. We get a clean 3 ft from the south with an 8-second period and a light offshore breeze from the WNW. The energy is moderate (119). The surf is surfable, but it’s ordinary. The afternoon gets messy with a NE cross-onshore, so stick to the morning.

Friday morning looks similar – 3 ft south swell, 9-second period, clean offshore from the west. Energy is moderate (151). Still just a little wave for a longboard.

Then Saturday the 8th of August is a real treat for the patient surfer. The wind goes dead calm, glassy conditions, and we have a clean 3 ft south swell. The energy is moderate (111). It’s small, but those glassy conditions will make it feel better than it is. A good option for a few friends and a quiet paddle.

Sunday the 9th turns ugly again. The swell jumps to 4 ft from the NE, but it’s only 7 seconds, and the wind is a moderate cross-shore from the north. That’s a messy, choppy combo. Not worth it.

Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th are a mixed bag. Monday sees a strong offshore wind (22 mph from the WSW) but the swell is tiny at 3 ft. The energy is weak (95). Tuesday morning, however, is a standout. A clean 2 ft swell from the south with a very long period of 13 seconds. The energy is moderate (211). That long-period groundswell will wrap nicely into the reef, and the light offshore from the west will keep it clean. It’s small but the quality will be there.

Now, the real meat and potatoes. On Thursday the 13th of August, the swell jumps to 6 ft from the SW, but the wind is a fresh 22 mph cross-shore from the south. That’s lumpy, choppy, and a mess. Not for the faint of heart.

But hold onto your leash, because Friday the 14th of August is the big one. Morning brings a solid 8 ft south swell with a 12-second period, and the wind is a gentle offshore from the SW. The wave energy is huge (3142). This is a serious swell – big, powerful, and clean. This is for advanced surfers only. The reef will be working, but it’s not a day for beginners. The afternoon stays big but gets a bit of a cross-onshore from the ESE, so it’ll be less clean.

Saturday the 15th of August is still pumping. A 7 ft south swell, 10-second period, with a light offshore cross-off wind from the SW. Energy is still strong (876). This is a very good option for experienced surfers – the morning will be clean and powerful.

From there, the swell drops slowly. Sunday the 16th has a clean 4 ft SSE swell in the morning, and Tuesday the 18th of August is glassy with a small 3 ft SE swell. Both are decent small-wave options.

The standout: Friday the 14th of August, morning session at Long Reef. That 8 ft south swell with a 12-second period, clean offshore wind, and a reef break that loves that direction. It’s a big day for the crew who can handle it. The energy is massive (3142). Don’t be late.

The other good one: Saturday the 15th of August, also the morning. 7 ft south swell, still clean, and a bit more manageable. Still a proper expert-only option.

Stay safe out there, and don’t get caught inside on that Friday pulse.

– Rusty

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