Magna Tubes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. Alright, we’ve got a look at Magna Tubes (reef) for the next couple of weeks, and it’s a bit of a slow burner. There’s no real surf to get excited about for a few days, so we’re looking at a gap until Saturday the 19th morning where things start to get interesting. Water temp is sitting at 18°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – you’ll probably want a thicker suit.

Saturday 18th July – We’re kicking off with a mediocre one. There’s a 5ft SW swell pushing in, but the wind is cross-off from the WSW at 9 mph – keeps the surface clean enough, but the energy is only moderate (917) and the waves are just marginal. Not worth rushing out for.

Sunday 19th July – Now this is a standout window. Sunday morning is where it’s at – clean skies, a light 3 mph cross-off from the W, and 5ft SW swell with moderate energy (881). It’s not huge, but the wind is near enough to perfect, so expect clean, fun lines. Avoid Sunday afternoon, though – wind howls up to 25 mph and the swell jumps to 8ft, making it a messy, blown-out mess.

Monday 20th July – Monday morning is a real gem. Glassy offshore conditions from the W at 3 mph, 4ft SE swell with a 12-second period – long period groundswell for such a small size. Energy is weak (423), but for a little rip bowl on the reef, it’ll be clean and lined up. Monday afternoon goes cross-shore and gets a bit bumpy, so make the most of the morning.

Thursday 24th July – Alright, now we’re talking. Thursday morning sees a big pulse of 13ft SSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period – this is serious energy (7473) and will be too big for most. Only for the experts. The wind is a friendly cross-off from the WSW at 9 mph, so it should be clean, but at that size a reef like Magna Tubes is going to be heavy and hollow.

Saturday 25th July – Saturday morning is the absolute pick of the whole run. Glassy conditions, a light 3 mph offshore from the W, 10ft SW swell with a 14-second period, and strong wave energy (2995). This is supreme quality – clean, powerful, and the reef will be throwing down proper barrels. If you can handle it, this is your session.

Through the last week of July – Things get messy from the 29th onward. A lot of onshore wind, rain, and lumps of 10ft plus swell with poor conditions. Not worth your time unless you’ve got a kite.

Saturday 1st August – A new pulse shows up: 13ft E swell with a short 9-second period (3013 energy), but glassy conditions again in the morning. That short period means the reef might be a bit bumpy and the waves a bit walled, but it’ll be clean and very big – experts only.

Sunday 2nd August – The final standout. Sunday morning is glassy again, with 13ft ESE swell and an 11-second period – huge energy (6324) and near-perfect wind. This is exceptional swell for expert surfers only. For the rest of us, it’s a spectator sport.

So, bottom line: the real magic is Saturday 25th July morning and Sunday 2nd August morning, with Thursday 24th July morning a close third for the brave. Crowds at Magna Tubes can be a problem sometimes, but with swell this size, only the solid crew will be out. Get on it.

Rusty

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