Nobbys Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. Let’s look at what’s on the table for Nobbys Reef over the next couple of weeks.

The surf story starts off a bit slow. The first few days are pretty ordinary, with only small, messy waves. The real action kicks off properly on Friday the 24th of July, and there’s a big pulse of energy coming through at the end of the month. The best window is Friday morning through to Sunday morning, with another standout on the Thursday the 30th of July.

Monday the 20th is a write-off, with 5ft east swell and a cross-on wind – real bumpy and not worth paddling out. The energy is moderate (692). Tuesday the 21st morning cleans up nicely with a northerly cross-off breeze and 4ft, 10-second swell from the east. The energy is still moderate (325), but the clean conditions make it a decent option for a quick session. Tuesday arvo goes messy again.

Wednesday the 22nd morning has a 3ft ENE swell with a moderate offshore NW wind, so it’s clean but tiny. The energy is weak (135). Wednesday arvo actually goes glassy, but with the same small 3ft swell. Hard to get excited, but it’s a chance for a glide.

Thursday the 23rd is flat and not worth talking about.

Now, Friday the 24th of July is where it gets good. The morning brings a 6ft south swell with a clean cross-offshore wind from the west. The energy is moderate (568), and the water temp is 66°F, which is about average for this time of year. This is a solid pick for experienced surfers – the swell is a bit over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners. The south swell direction matches the optimum for this exposed reef break. Friday arvo goes glassy with 5ft south swell – still a good session.

Saturday the 25th morning has 4ft south swell, but the period jumps to 12 seconds, which is a long-period groundswell. The reef setup here is ideal for that. The energy is moderate (402). The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but the score suggests it’s marginal, likely due to tide. It’s worth a look. Saturday arvo is cross-on and messy.

Sunday the 26th of July morning is another standout – 5ft south swell, 11-second period, with a clean cross-offshore wind from the WNW. The energy is moderate (583). This is a great morning for a surf. The water temp is still around 66°F, pretty average. Sunday arvo is onshore and blown out.

Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th mornings offer clean, smaller waves in the 4ft to 4ft range, with a good offshore wind. Energy is moderate (around 280). Worth a paddle if you’re keen for a smaller session.

Wednesday the 29th is a write-off with strong winds and lumpy conditions.

Now, Thursday the 30th of July brings a massive pulse of energy. There’s a 5ft south swell with a very long 17-second period, and the energy is strong (2678). This is a big groundswell – the reef will handle it well, but it’s going to be a serious session. The wind is cross-shore, so it’s not perfect, but the power is undeniable. Thursday arvo sees 8ft south swell, 15-second period, and very strong energy (2792). This is big – only for experts. The cross-onshore wind will make it tricky.

Friday the 31st of July morning still has a solid 7ft south swell, 12-second period, with moderate energy (1106). The wind is cross-shore, so it’s a bit lumpy but still powerful. This is a good window for experienced surfers who can handle size.

The first weekend of August (Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd) sees a slow drop in size, but the wind stays messy, with cross-onshore or strong cross-shore winds. The energy is still moderate (around 400-1100), but the conditions are choppy and hard to enjoy. Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th are similarly poor with onshore winds and messy waves.

The bottom line: Friday the 24th, Saturday the 25th, and Sunday the 26th of July are your best bets for clean, fun surf. The big pulse on Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st of July is for the experts only. Nobbys Reef can be inconsistent, so when it comes together like this, it’s a treat. Crowds can show up sometimes, especially on the weekends.

Rusty.

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