Tamarama Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Well, it’s a tough stretch ahead for Tamarama Reef. The first week is a write-off, with a massive pulse of stormy energy slamming the coast. From Tuesday the 7th right through to Thursday the 10th, we’re looking at strong, lumpy onshore winds and a solid 8ft to 12ft SE swell – the combined energy is pumping through the roof, reading 2203 up to 2574, but it’s all cross-on, messy, and just plain ugly. Not a wave worth paddling for. The water’s sitting at 64°, pretty much average for this time of year.

Things start to turn late Friday the 10th – a glimmer of hope. The wind swings light offshore from the WNW, and the swell drops to a clean 5ft from the SE, period 9 seconds. Still a bit small, but the glassy conditions on Friday afternoon, with the wind going glass at 3 mph, will have a few clean lines. Saturday the 11th morning stays clean with a gentle offshore, though the swell’s only 4ft. By Saturday afternoon, the swell drops to 2ft from the ESE, but the period stretches to 13 seconds – a touch of groundswell in the mix, and near glassy conditions. It’s not epic, but it’s surfable and clean.

Then we hit a flat spell. From Sunday the 12th through to Thursday the 17th, the swell barely tickles 3ft, with combined energy sinking to 19 to 124. Mostly clean, but tiny. A few afternoons go glassy, but you’ll be scratching for a wave.

Now, the standout – and it’s a doozy, but it’s a long way off. On Tuesday the 21st of July, watch out. A massive S swell is forecast to push through, hitting 15ft on the morning with a 12-second period. The combined energy reading is 5682, which is huge. The wind is strong offshore from the W at 28 mph, meaning the faces will be clean, but this is strictly for experts only – over 8ft, and 15ft is a beast. The offshore wind will groom it, but at a reef break that’s inconsistent, this is a serious, serious session for the brave. The afternoon holds 13ft, still clean. This is the one to circle on the calendar, but with over two weeks out, it’s a promising look rather than a guarantee.

Wednesday the 22nd settles back to 7ft to 8ft from the S, with clean offshore winds, but it’s nothing special.

Overall, the first week is a no-go, the middle week is flat, and the only real highlight is that massive pulse on the 21st – if you’ve got the skill and the nerve, that’s your window.

Rusty.

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