The Reef (Culebra) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here, and I’ve got a pretty honest look at what’s coming up for the next couple of weeks. The short story is, we’re in for a rough patch with a lot of average to poor conditions, but there’s one very promising window if you can wait for it.

Right now, the surf is a bit of a mess. The water temperature is sitting at 84°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. The first few days are all cross-shore winds and lumpy, choppy conditions. Friday afternoon kicks off with 5 feet of swell from the east at 8 seconds, but the wind is a fresh 22 mph cross-shore, making it messy. The combined swell energy is a weak 265, so there’s not much push either. Definitely not worth paddling out.

Saturday and Sunday don’t get any better. Saturday morning swells up to 8 feet from the east, but with a short 7-second period and strong 25 mph cross-shore winds, it’s just a washing machine. The energy climbs to 588–659, which is moderate, but it’s all chop. Sunday sees a drop back to 6 feet, but still cross-shore, still lumpy. The wind does ease a bit to 19 mph late Sunday, but it’s not enough to fix the mess.

Monday through to the following Monday are all small, weak, and cross-shore. There’s a stretch from the 18th to the 21st of August where the swell drops below 3 feet and the combined energy is under 100, so barely a ripple. The 20th of August offers a small window with a cleaner cross-offshore wind, but the swell is only 2 feet at 8 seconds, so it’s rideable but not exciting.

The real standout is Tuesday, the 25th of August. This is the one to circle on the calendar. The morning looks glassy, with a light SSW breeze at just 3 mph, and 8 feet of east swell at 8 seconds. The energy is a strong 858, and the conditions are expected to be very good. By afternoon, the wind switches to a gentle offshore at 9 mph, keeping it clean, with 8 feet swell. This is a solid, powerful wave, but that 8 feet size means it’s only for experienced surfers—beginners should sit this one out. The Reef (Culebra) is a consistent reef break, so it’ll handle that east swell well, just be aware that crowds are sometimes an issue.

After that, the surf drops off fast. Wednesday the 26th of August is back to tiny, weak swell, and the rest of the week is just small, clean but unrideable stuff. The 27th and 28th have a bit of a longer period (9 seconds), but the swell is only 0.7 feet to 1 feet, so it’s flat.

So, if you’re keen, aim for Tuesday the 25th of August. The rest of the 16 days is mostly a write-off, but that one window is worth the wait.

Rusty.

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