Tamarama Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Tamarama Reef.

To be straight with you, the next couple of weeks are looking pretty quiet. There’s a real lack of proper swell energy, and the conditions are mostly ordinary. We’ve got a long gap of small, weak surf and messy wind until late next week. It’s not a total write-off, but you’ll need to pick your moments.

The only spot worth talking about here is Tamarama Reef. It’s an advanced, inconsistent reef break that only works when the swell and wind line up perfectly, and that’s a rare thing in this forecast.

The water’s sitting at 62°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year.

Thursday afternoon (August 20) is a non-starter: tiny 3 ft of short-period ENE swell (6 seconds) with a cross-offshore breeze. The combined swell energy is weak (59), and the call is poor surf. Not worth paddling out.

Friday morning (August 21) is the closest we get to something rideable early on. The wind swings NW and goes offshore, light at 10 km/h (6 mph). Swell is still tiny at 3 ft from the ENE, period a short 6 seconds, and energy is very weak (49). It’s surfable but very ordinary. If you’re desperate, you could get a few soft ones.

After that, we’ve got a run of days with practically nothing. From Saturday (August 22) through to Tuesday (August 25), swell drops to 1.0 ft to 3 ft, winds are mostly cross or onshore, and the energy is pathetic (mostly under 100). Don’t bother.

Now, Wednesday morning (August 26) is where things finally get interesting, but it’s for experts only. We’ve got a 8 ft southerly swell arriving, period a short 8 seconds, but the combined energy jumps to strong (933). The wind is cross-shore from the SW at 25 km/h (16 mph), so it’ll be lumpy and challenging. This is big, powerful, and messy – not for the faint-hearted.

Wednesday afternoon (August 26) drops slightly to 7 ft from the south, but the wind goes cross-offshore from the WSW at 30 km/h (19 mph), cleaning it up a bit. Energy is still strong (687). If you’re an experienced charger and you don’t mind a bit of wind, this could be the best of a rough bunch.

From Thursday (August 27) onward, it’s back to small, weak, and mostly poor. The swell drops below 3 ft, winds are cross or onshore, and energy levels are low. There’s a brief moment on Tuesday morning (September 1) with glassy conditions and 3 ft from the ENE, but it’s weak (143 energy). The same goes for Wednesday morning (September 2) – glassy, 3 ft from the south, but energy is still only moderate (127).

Honestly, the standout here is Wednesday, August 26. That southerly swell at 7 ft to 8 ft is the only time we see any real power, and the offshore wind on the afternoon session makes it marginally cleaner. But it’s big, the period is short, and it’s a reef break – you’ll need your wits about you. For everyone else, keep the board in the car and wait for a better run.

Rusty.

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