
Surf Forecasts:
The Reef (Culebra) surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, E swell with 173 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 1.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Reef (Culebra) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s happening at The Reef in Culebra.
Honestly, mate, it’s a tough run. This is a very consistent reef break that’s exposed to the north, and it loves an optimum north swell, but we just aren’t seeing that for the entire 16-day outlook. The water temp is sitting at a pretty standard 82°, about what you’d expect for mid-July.
From Wednesday the 15th through the 16th, it’s looking pretty sad. Tiny, weak energy with a combined energy in the single digits to just over 50, and cross-shore winds are chopping it up. Thursday the 16th has a morning bump to 3ft, but only 5-second period and a cross wind of 19 mph makes it a lumpy mess. No use.
Friday the 17th morning has a brief clean moment with cross-offshore winds, but it’s only 0.7ft, which is barely a ripple. Saturday the 18th afternoon picks up slightly to 4ft, but it’s short period, cross-shore, and lumpy again. Sunday the 19th into Monday the 20th, we see the swell climb to 5ft and 5ft, and the combined energy gets into the 150 to 180 range (moderate wave energy), but it’s all from the east and the wind stays cross or cross-off, keeping conditions poor.
Tuesday the 22nd offers a clean moment in the morning with cross-offshore wind at 12 mph, but it’s only 2ft from the NNE. Not really worth paddling out for.
The standout, if you can call it that, comes on Thursday the 23rd of July. The morning session has a 4ft east swell with 7-second period and clean cross-offshore wind. Combined energy hits 222 – that’s solidly moderate energy for this spot. That will be the best wave shape of the whole run, but still, the swell direction is wrong for optimum performance here.
After that, it’s more east swell in the 4ft to 5ft range through the end of July, but the wind stays cross or strong cross, so you’re looking at choppy, messy conditions. Energy drops off again by the 27th.
Overall, there’s really nothing that screams “go.” The crowds might be light because the surf is so poor, but that’s not a selling point. If you’re a kite surfer, the consistent east wind and waist-high chop might get you out, but for a paddle surfer, there’s nothing in this window.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 27°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 27°C on Sat morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | ENE 8 | N 9 | E 5 | E 5 | N 7 | N 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | E 6 | NNE 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | ENE 5 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
11 | 2 | 41 | 49 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 85 | 10 | 139 | 168 | 162 | 149 | 125 | 154 | 144 | 83 | 39 | 39 | 26 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:21AM0.18m | 10:14PM0.42m | 9:29AM0.21m | 10:54PM0.40m | 10:36AM0.23m | 11:31PM0.37m | 11:44AM0.26m | 00:04AM0.33m | 12:52PM0.28m | 00:34AM0.29m | 2:00PM0.30m | 1:01AM0.25m | 3:07PM0.31m | 1:29AM0.22m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:47PM-0.07m | 5:04AM0.10m | 3:44PM-0.03m | 5:40AM0.09m | 4:43PM0.02m | 6:15AM0.08m | 5:44PM0.07m | 6:49AM0.06m | 6:51PM0.12m | 7:22AM0.04m | 8:07PM0.15m | 7:58AM0.02m | 9:32PM0.17m | ||||||||
5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | |
— | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | SE 6 | NNE 5 | SE 6 | NNE 5 |
11 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 26 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 9 | N 7 | N 6 | N 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | — | N 10 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 7 |
2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 7 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 31 | 6 | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 7 | N 9 | N 9 | N 6 | — | N 6 | NNE 8 | — | — | — | N 6 | — | N 8 | — | — | N 7 | — | SE 6 | NNE 8 | SSE 5 |
1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 3 | 6 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 9 | 6 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | ENE 5 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 |
49 | 58 | 41 | 49 | 58 | 74 | 78 | 75 | 85 | 120 | 139 | 168 | 162 | 149 | 125 | 154 | 144 | 83 | 39 | 39 | 25 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 105 | 454 | 414 | 878 | 105 | 98 | 878 | 796 | 487 | 878 | 270 | 487 | 878 | 796 | 414 | 878 | 454 | 79 | 270 | 853 | 79 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Puerto Rico | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Puerto Rico | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










