Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what we’ve got for the Reef. This is a spot that’s exposed to the swell, and it’s a reef break that needs an advanced surfer to handle it. The water temp is 64°, which is a solid 5° colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll be wanting a good 4/3 wetsuit – that’s properly chilly.

For the next few days, it’s pretty grim. Swell is tiny and the wind is all over the shop. Friday 11th and Saturday 12th are a write-off – tiny, weak, and messy. Sunday 13th morning is where it starts to get interesting. The wind goes glassy, absolute magic, and there’s a nice 3 ft NW groundswell with a 13-second period. The combined wave energy is moderate (330). This is the first real window of clean surf, but it’s not a huge swell. That afternoon the wind turns onshore, so the morning is the one.

Monday 14th looks a bit marginal with lighter wind, still some NW swell around 3 ft. Then we hit a real patch of nothing from Tuesday 15th through to Sunday 20th. Tiny swell, strong winds, and constant cross-chop. A proper flat spell that lasts nearly a week.

Now, look ahead to Monday 21st September. That’s the first sign of life again. A clean morning with NNE cross-offshore breeze and a 3 ft NW swell with a long 15-second period – that’s some proper groundswell energy (258). It’s clean, but the period is so long that at a beach break it might stand up too straight, but this is a reef, which will handle it beautifully.

The standout, though, and I mean the real standout, is Wednesday 23rd September morning. Glassy conditions, a 5 ft NW groundswell coming from the ideal SW direction, and a solid 506 moderate-to-strong combined wave energy. This is where the plan should be. That morning window is going to be clean, lined up, and rewarding for the crew who paddle out.

After that, Thursday 24th and Friday 25th see a big jump in size. Friday morning has 8 ft of NW swell (2674 energy) – that’s a serious amount of power. It’s glassy too, but frankly, at 8 ft, this reef is going to be pumping and it’s going to be for experts only. Beginners, stay well clear. That’s a big, heavy day.

The run continues into Saturday 26th September morning with a 6 ft NW swell, clean with an offshore E wind. Still plenty of size and energy (935), and by now the water may have warmed a touch.

So, to sum it up. The first week is mostly a dud. The first real clean window is Sunday 13th morning. The stand-out, the one to circle on the calendar, is Wednesday 23rd September morning – glassy, solid groundswell, and the reef will be on. The following Friday is for the brave. Crowds at this spot can be often, so if it’s good, expect company.

Rusty.

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