Nobbys Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s see what we’ve got for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, the outlook is a bit of a slow burn for Nobbys Reef. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak waves and poor conditions to start, with a real standout window mid-week and into the weekend that looks worth waiting for.

The water is sitting at 65°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

For the first few days, don’t get your hopes up. Tuesday afternoon (28 July) has a tiny 1ft south swell with a short 7-second period, and combined energy is a weak 33. The wind is offshore, but there’s just no power. Wednesday (29 July) is even smaller, with a 0.7ft south swell, and though the period is a very long 18 seconds, the energy is just 31 – it’s a ghost. Thursday morning (30 July) is where things start to flicker. The swell jumps to 5ft from the south with a 9-second period and combined energy hitting 440 (moderate). The wind is light cross-offshore, making for clean conditions. This is a solid option for the experienced surfer, as 5ft can be a bit much for beginners. The session is clean, so it’s worth a look. Thursday afternoon turns choppy as the wind swings cross-onshore, so don’t bother.

Friday (31 July) morning has 6ft south swell, 11-second period, and energy at 675 (moderate), but the wind is cross-shore. It’s marginal, but the size is there. Friday afternoon gets bigger at 7ft, with energy at 1653 (strong), but a strong cross-onshore wind makes it choppy and messy.

The standout is Saturday morning (1 August). That’s the one to circle. The swell is 5ft from the SSE with a 10-second period, and combined energy is 453 (moderate). The wind is glassy – absolute glass, dead calm. For Nobbys Reef, that’s about as good as it gets. Clean, lined-up waves, and with the swell direction coming from the SSE, it’s right in the optimum for the spot. For an advanced reef break, this is the pick of the forecast. Just be aware it can get crowded here sometimes, so get out early.

Sunday morning (2 August) is still very good, with 4ft from the SSE, 10-second period, and clean offshore NNW winds at 6 mph. Energy is 321 (moderate). A solid backup day.

After that, the waves drop off quickly. Monday (3 August) has small 3ft waves, and by Tuesday (4 August) we’re back to 1ft and weak. The rest of the second week stays small, with onshore winds and rain showers, and nothing really breaking 4ft until the following Thursday (6 August), when a 5ft south swell shows up, but the wind is wrong and conditions are just marginal. The second week looks like a write-off for quality surf.

Bottom line: The best bet is Saturday morning, 1 August, at Nobbys Reef. Glassy, clean, solid 5ft SSE swell. Get in the water. Sunday morning is your backup.

Rusty.

Read more