Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

Honestly, for the next 16 days, the surf outlook is a real struggle. We’re looking at a long, frustrating stretch of mostly poor conditions at Reef. The first solid recommendation doesn’t come until Sunday the 13th of September, and even then it’s barely a looker. Before that, it’s grim. The wind is a constant issue – mostly cross-shore or cross-onshore, with a lot of fresh breezes, so the surface is going to be lumpy, choppy, and messy. You’ll see a few pulses of swell, like a 6 ft WNW groundswell on Monday the 7th, but with that 15-18 mph cross-shore wind, it’s just a big, blown-out mess. The combined energy is moderate (942) but the quality is zero. That’s the story for the first week plus.

The first real chance to get wet is Sunday morning, September 13th. Reef is showing a tiny 2 ft swell from the WNW, but the wind is a light cross-offshore from the NNE at 9 mph. The wave comment says “clean,” and the combined energy is moderate (159). It’s not big, but it will be the best-looking conditions we’ve seen. The water temp is about 68°, which is pretty normal for this time of year.

After that, the next slight glimmer is Tuesday morning, September 15th. Another clean session with light cross-offshore winds from the NE at 6 mph, and a 2 ft NW groundswell with a very long 15-second period. That long period is a classic groundswell, so it should have some shape, but it’s small. The combined energy is moderate (184). The best part of the whole forecast is probably Wednesday morning, September 16th. We get a 5 ft NW groundswell (11-second period) with almost no wind – just a light 3 mph cross-shore from the NNW. The combined energy is strong (617). It’s the biggest clean swell of the whole window. The only downer is the wind is cross-shore, not offshore, so it won’t be completely glassy, but it’s the standout. For a solid, clean swell, that’s your best bet.

The final decent look is Saturday morning, September 19th. Light offshore wind from the ESE at 6 mph, with a 3 ft WNW swell. The wave comment says “clean” again. Combined energy is moderate (148). It’s a small, clean, fun day if you’re keen.

So, to sum it up: the first 11 days are a write-off. The only two real standouts are Wednesday morning, September 16th for the biggest clean swell, and Saturday morning, September 19th for a cleaner, smaller option. Wait for those windows.

Rusty.

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