Nine Mile Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’re looking at a solid run of surf coming up on the Nine Mile Reef, and it’s got some real highlights mixed with a few days that’ll test your patience.

The overall pattern is an extended period of SSE swell rolling in, with a real standout session building towards the middle of the week. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, no major anomalies to report.

We kick off Sunday, July 19th, with a bit of a mixed bag. The morning is clean with a 4ft SSE swell under a moderate offshore breeze, but it’s a bit sleepy. The afternoon ramps up to a 5ft SSE swell, with cleaner conditions and a light cross-offshore wind. It’s a decent way to start, but nothing to get too excited about.

Monday, July 20th, is similar. The morning holds a clean 4ft SSE swell with a light offshore, but the afternoon drops off to a weak 3ft cross-shore mess. Tuesday, July 21st, is where the real magic starts. The morning is glassy, dead calm, with a 6ft SSW groundswell (14 seconds) pumping in. The combined energy is a solid 1209, meaning solid, moderate energy. This is the best on offer for the first week. The afternoon gets a bit tricky with an onshore wind, so hit it early.

Wednesday, July 22nd, is a great follow-up. Both morning and afternoon serve up clean 5ft SW swell with a gentle offshore breeze. The waves are well-shaped, with consistent energy in the 500-600 range. Thursday, July 23rd, starts clean with a 4ft SW swell and a gentle offshore, but fades into a small, cross-shore mess in the afternoon.

Friday, July 24th, is a warning. The morning has a 8ft SSW swell with a 15-second period, but the wind is onshore, and the wave energy is strong (2227). The swell is simply too big for this reef. If you’re a solid expert, you might pick one off, but the conditions are marginal. The afternoon is even worse.

Saturday, July 25th, is a write-off. The swell is still too big, and the wind is cross-onshore. It’s lumpy, messy, and not worth the paddle.

Now, Sunday, July 26th, is a real treat. The morning is glassy, with a 3ft SSW groundswell (17 seconds) and a combined energy of 756. This is a very long period groundswell, so it’ll be peeling beautifully down the reef, but the sets will be spaced out. The afternoon is even cleaner, glassy again, with a 4ft SSW swell. This is a true standout for lighter crowds and pure, clean lines.

Monday, July 27th, is again too big. A 8ft SSW swell with a 17-second period and strong onshore winds. The combined energy is over 3000, which is very strong. Not for the faint of heart.

Tuesday and Wednesday, July 28th-29th, are messy. Tuesday is a total write-off with fresh onshore winds and a 10ft swell. Wednesday afternoon, however, is a surprise. The wind goes glassy, and there’s a 7ft SSE swell. The period is short (9 seconds), so it’ll be a bit crumbly, but the glassy conditions make it rideable.

From Thursday, July 30th, through the end of the month, we get a series of fresh offshore winds. The swell holds in the 4ft to 8ft range, but the wind is strong (18-25 mph). It’s clean, but it’s a battle. The waves will be hollow and fast, but only for the fit and experienced.

Finally, Sunday, August 2nd, is another standout. The morning is a small 3ft with a gentle offshore, but the afternoon is a gem. A 6ft SSW groundswell with a 17-second period, clean cross-offshore wind, and a combined energy of 1717. This is a long-period, powerful swell that will be a dream on the reef. It’s excellent for experienced surfers. Monday, August 3rd, follows with a very similar offering: 6ft, 14-second period, and a gentle offshore wind.

So, the bottom line: the clear standouts are Tuesday, July 21st morning, and Sunday, August 2nd afternoon. The second week looks promising, but it’s a bit further out, so keep an eye on it. The rest of the run has good waves, but you’ll need to pick your moments with the wind.

Rusty.

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