Nine Mile Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here.

Right off the bat, the next week and a half is looking pretty grim for Nine Mile Reef. We’ve got a lot of cross-onshore junk and lumpy conditions, which is a recipe for frustration. The swell energy is mostly moderate, but it’s just not lining up with clean winds. There’s a bit of a window early on Monday the 7th when the wind swings light offshore and the clean lines start to show, but it’s a tease as it gets chopped up again by the afternoon. The water’s sitting at 58°, which is a touch colder than normal for this time of year—you’ll want the hood.

The surf comes and goes over this stretch. Saturday the 5th is poor, with a weak 6ft SE swell at 7 seconds and moderate energy (407). Sunday the 6th sees a bigger groundswell from the SSW at 18 seconds with strong energy (1906), but it’s still cross-shore and messy. Monday the 7th morning cleanup is the best on offer early: 4ft SSW swell at 14 seconds, light offshore, clean conditions. It’s a small window, not a standout, but it’s the only proper surf to start with.

From Tuesday the 8th through Thursday the 10th, we drop right off. Swell fades to under 3ft, and onshore winds ruin it. There’s a brief pulse on Thursday the 10th morning, 6ft SW at 16 seconds with strong energy (1771), but the southerly wind is straight onshore, so it’s a no-go. Friday the 11th is another write-off with fresh cross-onshore and lumpy waves.

Saturday the 12th is poor again, and then things start to clean up on Sunday the 13th morning. The wind goes offshore from the NNW, and we get a 4ft SSW swell at 14 seconds—clean, moderate energy (755). That’s a decent look for a reef, though the swell’s a bit small. Monday the 14th is also clean with light cross-offshore wind and a smaller 3ft swell. These are okay, but not firing.

The best of the run looks like Sunday the 20th. The swell pushes up to a powerful 12ft from the SW at 14 seconds, with very strong energy (7643). That’s a big, solid groundswell. But here’s the catch—the wind is onshore and it’s raining, so the surface will be chopped up. At 12ft, this is only for the experienced crew. It’s a true standout in size and power, but you’ll be battling the wind and rain. The Saturday before, the 19th, is small and clean but not worth the paddle.

For the second week, from the 15th onward, things are more promising but less certain. Tuesday the 15th morning has strong offshore wind at 28 mph—clean but a real fight to paddle out. The 17th Thursday has a 7ft SSE swell at 9 seconds, but it’s predicted to be too big for this break. Then Friday the 18th morning brings 5ft SW at 11 seconds with clean offshore winds—that looks like the pick of the second week, a solid, reliable session. After that, it fades.

Overall, the standout window is Sunday the 20th for sheer size and power (12ft SW, 14s), but only if you’re an expert and don’t mind the chop. For clean waves, your best bet is Saturday the 13th morning or maybe Friday the 18th morning—moderate size, clean conditions, and a bit more user-friendly.

Nothing’s perfect, but there’s enough to keep you honest.

Rusty.

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