The Reef (Culebra) Surf Break

Lat Long: 18.34° N 65.32° W

The Reef (Culebra) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Reef (Culebra) sea temperature is
28.6° C
0.5° 

The Reef (Culebra) surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


The Reef (Culebra) surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, E swell with 279 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Reef (Culebra) this week:

The most powerful waves expected at The Reef (Culebra) in the next 16 days are 1.6m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (AST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 2PM (Sat 25th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Reef (Culebra) over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's break down the Culebra scene for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, this is a tough outlook. We've got a 16-day window, but the first thing I see is a lot of "poor surf conditions." The pattern is stuck in a persistent east-northeasterly flow that's gonna keep a messy cross-shore chop on the water for the majority of the run. The wave energy is there, but it's never hitting The Reef (Culebra) the way it wants to. For a spot that craves clean north swell, getting hammered by east energy with side winds is just not the ticket.

Starting from Saturday, July 18th, we're looking at waves around 3 to 5 ft from the east, but the wind is screaming from the east at 18-19 mph, putting a nasty cross-chop on everything. The combined swell energy is moderate (185-224), but with a short period of 6-7 seconds, the waves are weak and messy. This holds through Monday, July 20th. The water temp is a warm 84°, about average for this time of year.

Tuesday the 21st sees the swell drop off hard, down to around 2-3 ft, and the energy plummets (45-54). The wind eases a bit, but it's still cross-shore.

Now, a glimmer of hope. From Wednesday, July 22nd into Thursday, July 23rd, the wind backs off to a lighter east-southeast offshore breeze. The swell stays small – around 2 to 4 ft – but those "clean" conditions are a big deal. With the wind slimming the surface, the waves will at least have some shape. The energy bumps back to moderate on the 23rd (194) with a 7-second period. It's the best of a tough bunch, but not a standout.

The pattern goes south again Friday and into the weekend of the 25th-26th. The swell bumps up to 5-6 ft, and the energy is strong (217-253), but the east wind is back up to 19-22 mph, ruining the surface. That setup on a reef break is a battle; more of a kite or windsurf session, honestly.

The beginning of the next week, from the 27th onward, is bleak. Swell flatlines to practically nothing (0.3-1 ft) with only a handful of energy points (0-29). This dry spell lasts for several days. There's a slight uptick on Wednesday, July 29th with 5 ft east swell and moderate energy (177-198), but again, that howling east wind returns. The last few days of July and into August 1st-2nd look tiny and clean, but barely a ripple.

Bottom line: If you're desperate for a paddle, Thursday the 23rd is your best bet for the cleanest conditions on small, workable waves. Otherwise, I'd be waiting for the next forecast. For now, it’s mostly a wait-and-see.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 26°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Tue morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
E
7
1.3
E
7
1.5
E
5
1.5
E
7
1.1
ENE
7
1.3
ENE
5
1.4
E
6
1
ENE
7
1
ENE
5
0.8
NE
6
0.9
NE
6
0.9
NE
6
0.7
NE
7
0.7
NE
7
0.7
NE
7
1.2
E
7
0.9
NE
7
1.1
E
6
1.3
E
5
1.3
E
6
1.5
E
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
173
163
120
204
108
102
139
85
54
39
54
56
43
45
51
134
79
91
87
112
154
Wind (km/h)
25
E
25
E
35
E
30
E
30
E
30
E
30
E
25
ENE
25
ENE
15
ENE
15
ENE
20
E
20
ESE
25
ESE
25
ESE
25
ESE
30
ESE
25
E
35
E
30
E
35
E
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
High Tide
11:44AM0.26m
00:04AM0.33m
12:52PM0.28m
00:34AM0.29m
2:00PM0.30m
1:01AM0.25m
3:07PM0.31m
1:29AM0.22m
4:13PM0.32m
2:01AM0.20m
5:13PM0.32m
2:42AM0.18m
6:08PM0.33m
3:37AM0.17m
Low Tide
5:44PM0.07m
6:49AM0.06m
6:51PM0.12m
7:22AM0.04m
8:07PM0.15m
7:58AM0.02m
9:32PM0.17m
8:37AM0.01m
11:00PM0.17m
9:20AM-0.01m
00:19AM0.17m
10:09AM-0.02m
1:20AM0.16m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
clear
thunderstorm
clear
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:56
5:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:00
7:00
7:00
6:59
6:59
6:59
6:59
 mm
1
2
1
1
1
3
2
1
Temp °C
27
28
28
27
27
28
27
27
27
27
27
27
27
27
27
27
27
27
27
27
27
Feels °C
26
27
27
26
26
27
26
27
27
30
30
29
28
27
27
27
26
26
26
25
26
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the The Reef (Culebra) Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for The Reef (Culebra) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Reef (Culebra) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Reef (Culebra) surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (The Reef (Culebra)) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for The Reef (Culebra) may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

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