Ricks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Ricks Reef.

Right now, the outlook is a mixed bag with a few moments of real potential if you’re patient. The next few days are a write-off for any decent surf, with poor conditions and cross-onshore winds ruling the roost. Saturday the 22nd has 3ft of NE swell, but a WSW cross-on breeze at 15 mph and a risk of thunderstorms make it a no-go. The combined energy is weak (167), so don’t even bother.

Sunday the 23rd morning sees a small bump to 4ft from the north, with a cross-off SSW wind at 15 mph, and the afternoon holds 4ft from the north as well, with a period of 11 seconds. The energy climbs to 325 and 420 (moderate), and the wind is cross-off, keeping things clean. But the score is still a zero – the quality just isn’t there. Monday the 24th is similar, with 3ft NNW swell, cross-off winds, but again, poor surf conditions.

Tuesday the 25th is where you start to see a glimmer. Morning has 2ft NNW swell, 11-second period, with a light SSW breeze. The energy is only 103, but it’s clean. The afternoon is the real standout early in the period: 2ft NW swell, 11-second period, and glassy conditions with zero wind. The energy is 133. It’s small, but glassy and clean at an exposed reef break? That’s a rare treat. The water temperature is 85°F, which is spot on for this time of year – no anomaly. This is your best window if you’re a patient soul on a longboard. Keep in mind Ricks Reef is an advanced, inconsistent, reef break that rarely fires, so when it’s glassy, you’ve got to move.

Wednesday the 26th builds on that. Morning has 3ft NW swell, 11-second period, with a cross-off SSW breeze at 6 mph (300 energy). The afternoon is even better: 3ft NW swell, offshore SE wind at 9 mph, and clean. The energy is 262. This is another solid option for the skilled surfer. Crowds are possible here sometimes, so you might have a few friends out.

From Thursday the 27th onward, things get messy. The swell jumps to 7ft from the west, but the period drops to 7-8 seconds, and cross-on winds pick up. Thursday the 27th morning has 7ft W swell, 7-second period, with a cross-on NNW breeze, and the energy is 496 (moderate). The conditions are poor and choppy. This trend continues into Friday the 28th with 8ft to 8ft from the west, 8-second period, and fresh cross-shore winds at 18-22 mph. The energy climbs to 926 and 1179 (strong). This is too big for beginners and only good for experts, but the wind is junk – it’s more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The weekend of the 29th and 30th is much the same: 7ft to 8ft west swell, periods of 9-11 seconds, but cross-onshore winds at 15-18 mph keep it lumpy. The energy is 955 to 1467 (strong to very strong). The quality is poor, with only marginal scores on the 30th morning.

The first week of September sees a massive pulse. Monday the 31st to Wednesday the 2nd has 8ft to 10ft west swell, 11-13 second periods, and even stronger winds (22 mph). The energy is 1622 to 2779 (very strong). This is big, powerful, and messy – expert only, and even then, the cross-onshore wind will ruin it.

Thursday the 3rd drops off dramatically to 2ft-2ft from the NNE, with a near gale SW wind at 28-31 mph. The energy is only 98-114 (weak) – completely blown out.

Friday the 4th brings a massive 12ft west swell, 12-second period, but with a strong breeze cross-onshore at 25 mph. The energy is 3098-3516 (very strong). This is a dangerous, messy beast for experts only.

The final weekend, Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th, offers a slight improvement. Saturday morning has 10ft west swell, 12-second period, with a cross-off SSW wind at 22 mph, and the energy is 2229 (very strong). The conditions are clean, but it’s huge. This is the standout of the second week – promising but less certain. The afternoon and Sunday drop to 7ft-8ft, but the wind turns cross-shore, making it lumpy again.

Overall, the best on offer is Tuesday the 25th afternoon for glassy, tiny waves on the reef, and Wednesday the 26th for clean offshore conditions. Later on, Saturday the 5th morning is the big-wave highlight, but only for the experienced crew.

Rusty out.

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