Nine Mile Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about what's coming up at Nine Mile Reef.

Look, we've got a bit of a mixed bag on the horizon. The next week or so is pretty lackluster, with small, onshore slop ruling the roost. But hang tight, because the tail end of the period is looking absolutely wild, though it's gonna be a game of nerves for the big wave crew only.

We start off on Wednesday, the 26th of August, with a tiny 2 ft SSW swell coming in with a long 16-second period, but the wind is from the east, putting it cross-shore. The combined energy is weak (717), and the water temp is a normal 59° for the time of year, nothing to write home about. It's a marginal day, not much to get excited about.

Thursday the 27th sees a bit more size, with 5 ft from the S on Thursday morning, period 11 seconds. The wind is from the NNW, giving us a clean, cross-offshore breeze. The energy is moderate (674). It's a clean wave, but nothing special. The afternoon turns onshore and messy.

Friday the 28th is a real tease. The morning starts with a 4 ft S swell and glassy conditions – dead flat wind from the WSW. That’s a beautiful, clean window. The energy is still moderate (347). It’s small, but it will be the best looking wave of this first week. The afternoon turns onshore and goes to crap.

The weekend and start of the following week are a write-off. Onshore winds, chop, and rain. From Saturday the 29th through to Tuesday the 1st of September, the swell is small and the wind is either onshore or cross-on. It's a desert of poor conditions.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting, but you need to be a serious surfer. On Tuesday the 1st of September, the swell jumps to 7 ft from the SW with a 14-second period. The wind is a fresh 22 mph offshore from the NNW. That’s a recipe for a clean, powerful wave. The combined energy is strong (1761). However, the forecast notes the swell is too big for this break. This is a reef, and 8 ft+ is for experts only. It’s a promising but less certain call for the big guys.

That energy keeps building. By Friday the 4th of September, we’re looking at a massive 15 ft groundswell from the SSE, period 10 seconds, with clean offshore winds. The energy is very strong (3997). This is a serious, big-wave event. The following Saturday the 5th sees a 20 ft S swell with a 13-second period and fresh offshore wind. The energy is extreme (11535). This is massive, dangerous, and for experts only. The reef will be a washing machine, but if you're on the right craft and have the balls, it'll be a day to remember.

After that big pulse, it drops back down. Monday the 7th of September morning has a clean 6 ft S swell with a 10-second period, cross-offshore wind, and moderate energy (774). That’s a solid, surfable wave for the average surfer, looking pretty clean. The rest of the week then fades out to small, poor conditions.

So, the standout here is that glassy Friday morning the 28th for the small-wave crew, and the massive, dangerous, clean swell from the 1st to the 6th of September for the big wave specialists. The best all-rounder is that Monday the 7th of September morning session.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

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