Nobbys Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. We’ve only got one spot in play, and it’s a specific one.

We’re looking at Nobbys Reef for the whole forecast. This is a reef break that’s best on an offshore from the NW, and it loves a swell from the SE. It’s an advanced wave, and it can be inconsistent, so you’ve got to be on your game and pick your moments.

Right off the bat, there’s a bit of a slow start. The first session worth talking about is Monday morning, the 10th of August. We’ve got a clean 5ft swell rolling in from the ENE with a period of 9 seconds, and a fresh NW wind blowing offshore. The energy is moderate (304), but the swell direction isn’t quite the magic SE it wants. It’s surfable, but it’s marginal, so don't get your hopes up. That afternoon the wind picks up to a strong breeze and the swell drops to 3ft, making it a tough paddle.

Tuesday the 11th is a write-off for any real action. The swell drops to nothing in the morning, and while there’s a little bump of 2ft from the S in the afternoon with a light breeze, the conditions are just ordinary.

Wednesday the 12th stays clean with a moderate offshore wind, but we’re stuck with a small, weak swell under 3ft. The energy is low (186 and 133), so it’s a good day for a longboard or a beginners session, but nothing to write home about.

We see a spike in energy on Thursday the 13th, with the swell jumping to 6ft from the S, and a solid 743 energy in the morning. But the period is a short 8 seconds, and the wind is cross-shore, creating a cross-chop. By the afternoon, the wind turns cross-onshore and choppy. It’s got some push, but the quality is poor. This one is for the die-hards only.

Friday the 14th morning is where we get a little clean-up. A 4ft swell from the S, 10-second period, with a light cross-offshore breeze. It’s clean and the conditions are good, but it’s still not a standout.

After that, we hit a real dry spell. From Saturday the 15th all the way through to Thursday the 21st of August, it’s pretty grim. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, the swell is messy and short-period, and the energy is all over the place. There are a few moments with bigger swell (like 6ft on the 18th and 19th), but the wind is ruining it. This stretch looks better for the kite surfers than for us paddle guys.

Things finally look up on Friday the 21st of August. The morning is a dream: 4ft of E swell, 8-second period, and the wind is completely glassy. Zero wind. It’s clean as a whistle, and the conditions are good. This is the first true highlight.

The next morning, Saturday the 22nd, is clean with a light cross-offshore breeze, but the swell is only 3ft, so it’s not the same quality.

But the real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, lands on Sunday the 23rd of August. We’ve got a clean 4ft swell from the E, but the period stretches out to 10 seconds. By the afternoon, the wind goes light offshore from the NW, the swell is 4ft with an 11-second period, and the energy is building (425 in the morning, 372 in the afternoon). It’s clean and shaping up nicely.

Then, Monday the 24th of August is the pick of the entire forecast. The morning brings a solid 6ft swell from the SSE, an 8-second period, but the key is the moderate offshore wind from the NW. It’s clean, it’s got power, and the energy is strong at 633. The conditions are very good. This is the big one. It’s a little short-period, but the offshore wind at Nobbys Reef with that size is a proper session.

Looking way out to Tuesday the 25th of August, the afternoon session is another beauty. The swell settles to 5ft, but the period jumps to a long 12 seconds from the E, with glassy conditions. The energy is still high at 629. It’s a different kind of wave, a proper groundswell, and it’ll be breaking clean. A solid way to finish the run.

So, if you’re picking your battles, Monday the 24th morning is the standout for size and clean conditions. The Friday the 21st morning is your pick for a glassy, mellow session. And that Tuesday the 25th afternoon has the best quality swell.

Stay safe out there.

- Rusty

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