Seaford Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got to be straight with you – this outlook is a tough one. We’re staring down a 16-day window with barely a ripple worth paddling for. The long and short of it is: the surf just isn’t playing ball. The water is sitting at 58°, which is a touch cooler than the long-term average for this time of year, but nothing to write home about.

The first real chance to even think about a wave comes on Wednesday, 22nd July, at Seaford Reef. It’s a sheltered reef setup, but the swell is tiny – only 2ft from the WSW, with a short period of 4 seconds. The combined energy is weak (15), and with a moderate 12 mph wind blowing straight onshore, it’s going to be a messy, choppy affair. Honestly, this is one for the die-hards who just want to sit in the water, not for anyone looking for a ride.

The next few days follow the same sad story. Thursday and Friday have a bit of southwest swell, but it’s always small – 2ft to 2ft – with periods under 6 seconds. The wind stays cross or cross-onshore, and the energy never gets above 23. It’s poor surf, plain and simple.

The weekend of the 25th and 26th brings a little more size, with 3ft from the west on Saturday, but the wind is still onshore or cross-onshore, and the period is only 4 to 5 seconds. Sunday drops right back to 1ft. The spot is inconsistent, and it’s really not showing any signs of life.

Things get a bit cleaner from Tuesday, 28th July, through to the end of the month, with some cross-offshore or even light offshore winds, and even a glassy patch on the 30th. But the swell is laughable – 0.7ft to 0.3ft, with periods that hit 8 to 12 seconds on the 29th and 30th. That long period is a sign of groundswell, but with barely any height, it’s just a polished lake. The combined energy drops to 1 or 5. You could paddle out on a handboard and still be bored.

We hit a complete dead zone on Saturday, 1st August, with zero swell. Sunday the 2nd sees a tiny pulse of 2ft from the north, but it’s glassy in the morning, which is nice. The energy is only 12, and the period is short at 4 seconds. It’s a weak offering.

The last glimmer comes on Monday, 3rd August, with 2ft from the north and clean cross-offshore winds. The period is still short (4 seconds), and the energy is only 10. It’s the best of a bad bunch, but that’s not saying much. Tuesday the 4th has 3ft from the WSW, the biggest swell in the whole run, but it’s short period (4 seconds) and cross-shore wind, so it’ll be chopped up.

The standout? Honestly, there isn’t one. The best on offer is probably the clean, glassy morning on Sunday, 2nd August, with that 2ft north swell, but only if you’re desperate for a float. Or the clean conditions on Monday, 3rd August, with the same tiny swell. Neither is worth a dawn patrol. For what it’s worth, Seaford Reef is a beginner-friendly reef, but with swell this small, even the beginners won’t catch anything.

If you’re a kite surfer, the stronger winds and choppy, onshore days (like the 22nd and 23rd) might be more your speed, but for a paddle surfer, this is a 16-day fridge. The area is normally a bit more consistent, but right now, we’re in a flat spell. Forecasts can change, so don’t give up entirely, but don’t hold your breath either.

Rusty.

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