
Surf Forecasts:
The Reef (Culebra) surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, E swell with 251 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 1.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Reef (Culebra) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the forecast for the Culebra area. I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch ahead. The only break that has any real data to work with is The Reef (Culebra), and for the first two weeks of this 16-day window, the surf is just not cooperating. The winds are howling out of the east and southeast at 15 to 22 mph, mostly cross or cross-offshore, which is keeping the ocean all chopped up and lumpy. The waves are small, disorganized, and the water is just a mess. It’s a long, bleak run of poor surf conditions from now until the 22nd of September. The water temp is sitting at 85°, which is about 2° warmer than usual for this time of year, so the water is lovely, but the waves are not.
Now, there is a faint glimmer of hope right at the very end. On the 23rd of September, we finally see a shift. The wind eases to a gentle breeze from the east, and the swell starts to show some character. It’s a 3 ft north swell with a 10-second period, and the combined energy builds to 199 (moderate wave energy). The real standout is the afternoon of the 23rd, with a light cross-offshore breeze from the southeast, making conditions clean. The wave comment says "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions" – but for this area in this forecast, that’s a win. The following morning, the 24th of September, is actually the best of the lot. We’ve got a 3 ft north-northeast swell with a 9-second period, but the wind is light and offshore from the south-southeast. That’s glassy, clean, and perfect for a reef break like The Reef. It’s an intermediate spot, very consistent, but it can get crowded sometimes. The north swell direction is a good match for the optimum swell direction from the north. The combined energy is 125 (moderate wave energy). This is the one to aim for. The paddle out will be easier with the light wind and the longer period between sets.
For the rest of the time, if you’re desperate, you could consider the morning of the 23rd, but the cross-shore wind will still be creating a bit of chop. Honestly, for the first two weeks, it’s more of a kite-surfing setup with those strong, consistent winds, than a paddle-surfing one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 28°C on Wed afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 28°C on Sat afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | E 6 | E 8 | E 6 | ENE 8 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 5 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 5 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
239 | 212 | 250 | 29 | 24 | 24 | 94 | 32 | 92 | 75 | 90 | 83 | 83 | 45 | 16 | 90 | 50 | 14 | 96 | 59 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 7:49PM0.41m | 7:36AM0.32m | 8:26PM0.39m | 8:34AM0.36m | 9:00PM0.37m | 9:27AM0.39m | 9:31PM0.34m | 10:16AM0.40m | 10:01PM0.30m | 11:04AM0.40m | 10:29PM0.27m | 11:52AM0.39m | 10:58PM0.25m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:17AM0.14m | 1:58PM0.07m | 2:48AM0.12m | 2:56PM0.09m | 3:18AM0.10m | 3:53PM0.12m | 3:47AM0.09m | 4:48PM0.14m | 4:17AM0.07m | 5:44PM0.16m | 4:48AM0.06m | 6:41PM0.17m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
6:29 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | 2 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 4 |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 11 | NNE 11 | NNE 10 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | E 8 | N 7 | SE 6 | N 6 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SE 6 | NNE 7 | ENE 8 | SE 6 | SE 6 |
30 | 12 | 31 | 29 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 32 | 10 | 23 | 3 | 18 | 31 | 29 | 16 | 27 | 5 | 14 | 34 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 10 | N 6 | ESE 8 | N 13 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | N 8 | NE 11 | N 7 | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 11 | N 7 | N 7 | NE 10 |
1 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 6 | — | — | — | — | N 12 | NE 9 | E 8 | ESE 7 | N 14 | N 6 | N 13 | NNE 12 | NE 12 | NNE 11 | E 13 | NE 10 | NE 10 | N 7 |
— | 1 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | ESE 8 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | ENE 8 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | ENE 9 | E 5 | E 5 | ENE 8 | E 5 |
239 | 212 | 250 | 251 | 134 | 96 | 94 | 57 | 92 | 75 | 90 | 83 | 83 | 45 | 62 | 90 | 50 | 80 | 96 | 59 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 871 | 452 | 79 | 79 | 90 | 79 | 105 | 98 | 520 | 878 | 414 | 487 | 487 | 98 | 499 | 270 | 68 | 878 | 796 | 139 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Puerto Rico | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Puerto Rico | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










