Nine Mile Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a good, hard look at what Nine Mile Reef has got cooking for us over the next couple of weeks.

Overall, it’s a frustrating start. The next few days are a write-off with onshore wind and messy conditions. The real action doesn’t kick off until Thursday the 20th, and even then it’s a bit of a mixed bag. There’s a standout window, but you’ve got to pick your moments.

For Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th, we’re stuck with onshore southerly winds and swell in the 5 ft to 6 ft range. The water is a bit colder than normal at 57° and the combined energy is moderate (1691 on Tuesday morning). Don’t bother, it’s not worth it.

Thursday the 20th morning is where things get interesting. We’ve got a solid 8 ft swell from the SSW with a 13-second period, and the wind is a light southerly. The combined energy is strong (1753). The problem is, the guidance says this might be too big for this reef break. For the experienced crew, it could be a proper session, but if you’re not confident in the water, sit this one out. The afternoon goes downhill fast with onshore wind.

Friday the 21st is a step down to 5 ft, but still with that onshore wind in the morning. The afternoon offers a light cross-onshore breeze, but the swell direction shifts to the WSW. It’s marginal.

Saturday the 22nd is a strange one. The morning has a cross-offshore wind from the NW with 6 ft SW swell, but the energy is moderate (614). Then the afternoon brings a big jump to 10 ft from the SSW with strong energy (2940) – that’s a lot of water moving. The wind goes cross-onshore, and the reef will be churning. For most of us, this is a day to watch from the shore; it’s for experts only.

Sunday the 23rd looks like a return to onshore wind and moderate swell. Monday the 24th is flat and poor.

Now, here’s the real highlight. Look ahead to Wednesday the 26th of August. Morning brings a clean cross-offshore breeze from the NNW, with 4 ft of SW swell. The afternoon is pure magic: glassy conditions, light SSW air, 4 ft swell, and combined energy is low but clean (399). This is the best on offer in the first week – a small, clean, glassy session at the reef. Thursday the 27th holds similar clean conditions in the morning, but the swell drops to 2 ft.

The second week starts to look promising but is less certain. Sunday the 30th of August has a big 8 ft SSW swell with a 14-second period, and a glassy window on the Sunday afternoon with 7 ft. The energy is strong (2187 and 1778), but it’s likely too big for the reef for most. Monday the 31st of August is a beauty: glassy conditions, 5 ft SSW swell in the morning, dropping to 5 ft in the afternoon. Combined energy is moderate (746 and 558). This is the other standout – a clean, manageable swell with perfect glass. Tuesday the 1st of September morning is also glassy with 5 ft.

Then Wednesday the 2nd of September looks to be another big one – 8 ft SW swell with a clean cross-offshore breeze from the NE. Strong energy (2032). Again, that’s expert territory.

So, to boil it down: If you want the best of the best, aim for Wednesday the 26th of August for a clean, small session, or Monday the 31st of August for a glassy, fun-sized swell. The big stuff on the 20th and 30th is for the brave. The rest is mostly onshore slop.

Rusty.

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