Nine Mile Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Alright, we’ve only got one spot for this whole outlook – Nine Mile Reef – and the next 16 days are a real rollercoaster. Don’t expect much right away, and when the big stuff finally arrives, it’s only for the keen and the skilled.

Starting Friday the 21st of August, it’s a slow one. The southwesterly swell is running about 5ft with an 11-second period, but the wind is onshore from the SSE at 6 mph. The combined energy is moderate at 993, but the surf is marginal – not worth the paddle.

Saturday the 22nd of August is a nice turnaround. The swell drops a little to 4ft from the SSW, still a solid 11-second period. The big difference is the wind: a clean offshore from the NNW at 9 mph. It’s a gentle breeze, giving you clean lines. This one is good for beginners given the size. Water temp is 57°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year – bring the thick rubber.

Sunday the 23rd heads back into messy water. The swell is 5ft from the SW, but the wind swings onshore from the south at 9 mph. No good. That trend sticks through Monday and Tuesday – onshore, choppy, and poor.

Wednesday the 26th of August is a split day. The morning brings a bigger 8ft swell from the ESE, but it’s a short 7-second period and a light cross-shore wind. The energy is moderate at 990, but the swell is too big for this reef – really just for experts. The afternoon though – glassy, with a 3ft SSW swell, 12-second period, and combined energy of 533. That’s a peaceful, clean little window.

Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th of August are the true standout. Thursday morning gives you a clean 4ft S swell with 11-second period and a solid offshore from the NNW at 12 mph. Thursday afternoon is even nicer: 4ft S swell, 11-second period, light cross-offshore wind, energy at 533. The crowds can show up sometimes here. But Friday morning the 28th is the best – glassy, 4ft S swell with a 13-second period, and energy of 550. That’s smooth, long-period groundswell with no wind at all. That’s the one to aim for.

Then it goes quiet and messy through the weekend and into the start of September. There’s a long gap of poor surf until Tuesday the 1st of September – a tiny 2ft S swell, glassy but very ordinary.

On Wednesday the 2nd of September, the ocean switches on. A solid 7ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period, strong offshore winds from the north at 16 mph, and very strong combined energy at 2062. The swell is too big for beginners, and the period is so long it might break a bit straight at the reef – experts only. Thursday the 3rd of September goes massive – 16ft SW swell and a huge 10808 energy reading. That’s not for paddling.

The final few days into early September have some smaller, cleaner windows but also more onshore wind. The Friday the 4th of September afternoon has a 6ft S swell with 13-second period and light onshore – could be okay for the determined.

Bottom line: the clear standout is Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th of August. Clean, glassy, moderate swell, and perfect wind. Get in the water then.

Rusty.

Read more