Roaches Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s see what’s cookin’ at Roaches Reef.

First off, don’t get your hopes up for the first week. It’s a slow start with barely a ripple and the conditions are junk. There’s a real dry spell of quality surf here.

Come Tuesday the 11th, there’s nothing—just 0.7ft dribbles from the west with a weak 8-second interval and a cross-onshore breeze. The water is sittin’ at 68° which is over five degrees warmer than normal for this time of year—that’s pretty wild. The combined swell energy is a measly 10. Wednesday the 12th stays tiny, 2ft to 2ft, still cross-onshore. Not worth paddlin’ out.

Thursday morning the 13th shows a little life. We get a bump to 3ft from the WSW at 10 seconds with a light cross-off wind, so it cleans right up. The energy hits 149—that’s moderate. But at this size it’s just a knee-slapper. The guide says it’s surfable but very ordinary. The afternoon gets lumpy with onshore wind.

Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th drop back under 3ft. The wind is okay but the waves just ain’t there. Sunday the 16th is glassy early with 1ft west swell at only 7 seconds—that’s flat. Monday the 17th is a washout with rain and onshore wind.

Now Tuesday the 18th we get a bump: 4ft from the west at 7 seconds, clean in the morning with a cross-off northwesterly. Energy is a moderate 136. Still short-period and the score is poor, so not a standout.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Wednesday morning the 19th we get a solid 5ft west swell at 7 seconds, and it’s clean with that cross-off wind. Energy jumps to 280. That’s proper short-period swell pumping. Over 5ft is getting into intermediate and above territory. The afternoon gets messy though.

The real standout is Thursday the 20th. Morning is a bit bumpy with a 7ft west swell—that’s expert only territory, over 8ft if you’re strict—but the magic is Thursday afternoon. The swell drops slightly to 6ft from the WNW at 8 seconds, with *glassy* conditions and a light southerly breeze. Energy is pumpin’ at 437. The guide says *expect good surf conditions*. This is your window if you’re experienced. Keep in mind the short period can make it sectiony at the reef, but with glassy water and that size, it’ll be on. Crowds? Roaches can have a crew sometimes—get out there early.

After that, Friday the 21st drops to 3ft and stays small and clean but weak. Saturday the 22nd bumps back to 4ft but the cross-onshore wind ruins it. Sunday the 23rd sees another pulse to 7ft west but the wind is cross-onshore all day—choppy and messy.

The second week fades out into small, windy crap. Nothing from the 24th onwards. By the 26th we’ve got near gale force winds and rain. Total bust.

Bottom line: Thursday 20th afternoon is your best bet. Paddle out if you can handle the size. Rest of the window is either tiny or trashed.

Rusty.

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