Tamarama Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break down what’s happening at Tamarama Reef. The next couple of weeks are a mixed bag—some windy junk, a few clean windows, and one real standout if you’ve got the patience.

Water temp is sitting around 63°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The first few days are a bust. Thursday afternoon (30 July) brings a 6ft south swell, but it’s getting hammered by a 12 mph SSE cross-onshore wind. The combined energy is moderate at 890, but the conditions are poor. Friday and Saturday are similar—decent size but with cross or cross-on breezes that mess up the surface. Not worth getting wet.

Then Sunday morning (2 August) is the real deal. Swell drops to 5ft, but it’s a long-period SE groundswell with 12 seconds between waves. The combined energy is solid at 792. The wind is light from the NNW at 6 mph, cross-offshore, and it’s clean—glassy, lined up. This is the one to aim for. The comment says “expect very good surf conditions,” and I’m with that. It’s a reef break, so that long period should wrap in proper. Just remember it’s an advanced wave, and it can be inconsistent, so don’t expect a set every minute. Crowds are possible.

Sunday afternoon the wind swings NE and picks up to 16 mph, putting a cross-shore chop on it. Monday morning (3 August) still has a little life—a 3ft SE swell at 11 seconds, with a moderate offshore from the NNW. Clean, but small. Energy is down to 210, so it’s a longboard morning at best.

After that, it’s a long stretch of nothing. From Tuesday (4 August) through the second week, it’s mostly tiny, weak swell with poor to ordinary conditions. The wind is often cross-off or offshore, but the swell just isn’t there. The combined energy drops into the double digits and low hundreds. A few days are clean, but with waves under 3ft and short periods, it’s not worth the paddle.

Then, on Friday morning (14 August), we get a spike. Swell jumps to 8ft from the south, with a 9-second period. The combined energy is 893—strong. Wind is a fresh 19 mph WSW cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean but powerful. That’s pushing into expert territory. Friday afternoon gets even bigger—8ft, with a 9 mph SSW cross-on making it a bit lumpy. The energy hits 1097, which is serious. For the experienced crew, this could be a late-week reward, but it’s a long way off, so treat it as promising but not locked in.

If you’re a beginner, stay away from those 5ft+ days. The first week already has some 6ft swells that are too much for less experienced surfers.

Bottom line: Sunday morning (2 August) is the clear winner. Don’t miss it.

Rusty.

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