Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. Let’s not beat around the bush – the next couple of weeks are looking slim for this stretch of coast. There’s a long run of poor conditions, and I’m not going to lie to you. There’s one window that’s worth getting excited about, but you’ll need to time it right.

For the coming days, it’s a bust. Onshore and cross-onshore winds, lumpy, messy surf, and a lot of chop. It’s going to be frustrating if you’re keen for a wave. Through Thursday morning, the swell builds, but the wind is going to ruin it. A fresh breeze out of the west and poor surf conditions. Not worth the drive.

Now, here’s the one real standout. On Friday, August 28th, things briefly line up. The morning is your best bet. The swell is pushing 7ft from the WNW with an 11-second period. The wind is a light cross-onshore out of the NNW, so it’s not glassy, but it’s the cleanest it’s going to be. The combined energy is strong at 1054. The catch? This spot, Reef, is a heavy, exposed reef break, and at this size, it’s moving into expert-only territory. Anything over 8ft is a no-go for most, and while this is just under that, it’s still a solid, powerful swell. It’s going to be a big, serious wave. Also, this is a fairly consistent break, so it should have some rhythm, but crowds are likely. The water temp is 67°, which is a bit colder than average for this time of year, so you’ll want a good suit. The afternoon on Friday sees the wind pick up, turning more cross-shore, and it gets bumpy. So, the call is simple: Friday morning is your window. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only real surf on offer.

After that, it’s back to the grind. Saturday and Sunday are poor, with cross-shore winds and messy conditions. The swell drops, but the wind stays stubborn. The following week is a dead zone. From August 31st through September 10th, it’s mostly flat or tiny, with a northerly cross-shore wind blowing. There are a couple of light-wind mornings, but there’s just no swell. The energy is almost nothing, and it’s not worth getting wet. There’s a small pulse on the 5th and 6th, but the waves are weak and the conditions are marginal. Long story short: if you’re not out there Friday morning, you’re waiting a long time.

It’s one of those stretches where the ocean just doesn’t want to cooperate. If you’re desperate, the setup looks better for a kite than a surfboard. But for the rest of us, we wait.

Rusty.

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