Slade Bay/Boot Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ at Slade Bay/Boot Reef. This is a reef break, fairly exposed to the swell, and the optimum direction is from the southwest. Honestly, for the whole 16-day stretch, it’s gonna be a proper struggle to find a wave worth paddling for.

We kick off on Sunday, the 5th of July, and there’s just nothing to get excited about. The swell’s tiny, only 3 ft from the WSW, with a weak period of 6 seconds. The combined wave energy is a measly 74 (weak energy), and the wind is a messy cross-off at 9 mph. It’s poor surf conditions, and that pretty much sums up the whole first week.

There’s a real dry spell here. From the 5th through to the 12th of July, the swell hovers between 0.3 ft and 3 ft. Most days are a write-off. The combined energy dips as low as 12 on the 8th, which is about as weak as it gets. You’ll see some glassy conditions on the 8th and 9th of July in the mornings, with the wind going light, but with a 1 ft swell and a short period, you’d be better off taking up kayaking. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so that’s one small mercy.

Into the second week, things don’t get much better. On the 14th of July, the afternoon session nudges up to a marginal score of 1 out of 10. The swell picks up to 2 ft from the west with a 10-second period, and the combined energy hits 86 (still weak). But the trouble is the wind: it’s onshore from the south at 3 mph. That’s not good for a reef break like this.

The rest of the outlook is flat. The 19th and 20th of July see some 0.3 ft and 0.7 ft swell with very long periods of 18 to 19 seconds, but that’s just a whisper of a groundswell with no size behind it. Winds get fresh and lumpy, and you’re looking at 19 mph cross-onshore on the 20th. This whole setup, with the strong wind and tiny, poor quality surf, honestly looks more interesting for a kite surfer than someone on a paddleboard.

So, to be straight with you, there are no standout sessions here. It’s a long, flat run. When a spot like this has very few consistent waves, a blank run like this is just what happens. The forecasts can always change, but for now, I’d leave the board at home.

Rusty.

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