Tamarama Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down.

Right off the bat, I’ve gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough run. For the first four days, from Monday the 6th through to Thursday the 9th of July, it’s all cross-onshore winds and lumpy, messy conditions at Tamarama Reef. Swell is solid enough, between 6ft and 12ft from the SSE and SE, but with a period around 10 seconds and those winds, it’s just blown-out and poor. The combined swell energy is moderate to strong (1406 to 2528), but it’s wasted.

Friday the 10th is still marginal, with light cross-shore and onshore winds on a 5ft SE swell (energy 457 to 493). Not really worth getting wet.

Then we get a window. Saturday morning, July the 11th, sees a clean-up with a light offshore wind from the NW, swinging the door open. The swell is a modest 4ft from the SE (energy 397), but with that gentle offshore breeze and clean conditions, expect good surf. The water temperature is about average for the time of year. This is the best we’re going to get in this first week – small, clean, and fun for the experienced crew.

After that, the surf drops right off. From Sunday the 12th through to Tuesday the 14th, we’re scraping the bottom with tiny swell under 3ft and clean but weak conditions. There’s a gap of a few days where there’s nothing doing.

The next real chance comes on Wednesday the 15th, with a 7ft S swell (energy 1055) but the wind is cross-shore and lumpy, making it only marginal. By Thursday morning the 16th, the swell jumps to 10ft from the S (energy 1982) – the wind is cross-shore, and the file says it might be too big for this break. That’s a heads-up; that’s expert territory and the lumpy cross-chop will make it a battle.

Now, here’s the standout to look forward to. On Saturday the 18th of July, we get a clean cross-offshore breeze from the WNW with a 7ft SE groundswell (period 11 seconds, energy 949). This is a long-period swell, so it’s got shape and power, perfect for a reef. With gentle winds and clean conditions, this is the best session on offer – a real solid, well-shaped wave. Expect crowds to be possible, so get out early.

Sunday the 19th is still okay with a moderate offshore wind, but the swell drops to 4ft. The last note on Tuesday the 21st shows a massive 13ft S swell (energy 2687) with clean cross-offshore winds, but it’s flagged as too big for this break – definitely for experts only, and even then, it’s heavy.

So, if you’re looking for the one to pick, go for Saturday the 11th for clean, fun waves, and circle Saturday the 18th for the best quality, bigger swell. The rest is a write-off or a gamble.

Rusty.

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