Tamarama Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – this is a pretty lean run for Tamarama Reef. We’ve got a whole lot of marginal surf and dodgy conditions over the next couple of weeks, with only a few brief windows that might get you excited. The water’s sitting at 64°F, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.

We kick off on Friday, July 24th, with a 5ft south swell, but it’s coming in at a short 9 seconds and the wind is a cross-shore from the SW at 9 mph, so it’s chopped up and messy. It’s a write-off, really. The afternoon bumps to 5ft with a longer 12-second period, but the wind swings onshore from the SE at 6 mph, making for marginal, questionable conditions. Not worth paddling out.

Saturday the 25th offers the first real chance. Saturday morning brings a 5ft south swell (11-second period) and a clean, cross-offshore breeze from the west at 12 mph. It’s a bit average in size and energy (605 combined energy, so moderate), but it’s clean and the wind is working for the reef. Saturday afternoon drops to 4ft (10 seconds) with lighter north winds, still clean. This is likely one of your best bets – a solid Saturday session for the advanced crew, though crowds are sometimes a factor here, so expect company.

Sunday the 26th has similar size (6ft morning, 5ft afternoon) but the wind turns cross-shore and onshore, bringing chop and marginal conditions. Monday the 27th morning is a highlight: 4ft south swell (9 seconds) with a clean cross-offshore WNW breeze at 6 mph. It’s small, but clean. The energy is weak (208), so it’s a quiet, mellow session – good if you’re keen for a longboard.

After that, we hit a dry spell. From Tuesday the 28th through to Monday, August 3rd, the surf drops below 3ft most days, with teeny 1ft to 2ft swells and short periods. Winds are light and sometimes offshore, but the waves are just too small to get excited about. This is a gap of several days with nothing really worth chasing.

Tuesday, August 4th sees a pulse of 5ft to 6ft south swell, but the period is a dismal 6-7 seconds and the wind is onshore, creating choppy, poor surf. Skip it.

Wednesday, August 5th is cleaner with a 4ft south swell (6 seconds) and offshore WNW winds at 9 mph. Short period, so the shape won’t be stellar, but it’s surfable and clean. Energy is low (180). Again, more of a longboard day.

Now, here’s the standout. Thursday, August 6th looks the best on offer: a solid 6ft south swell (8-second period) with a light WSW cross-offshore breeze at 6 mph, making for clean waves. This is the day with the highest combined energy we’ve seen in a while at 549 (moderate). The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions” – that’s the one to aim for. It’s still a bit short-period, but the wind and size make it a proper reef session. Friday, August 7th morning is also clean with 5ft (7 seconds) and westerly winds, but the period is even shorter.

Saturday, August 8th sees a 3ft south swell, but check this out – the period jumps to 12 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. The morning is clean with a light WSW wind, so if you like long, lined-up waves at a reef, this is promising but less certain being a week and a half out. The energy is moderate at 265. Better for the reef than a beach break.

Overall, if you’re picking one day, make it Thursday, August 6th. The Saturday, July 25th and Monday, July 27th are your other solid windows. The rest is mostly flat or blown out. Stay patient.

Rusty

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