The Reef (Culebra) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's on the menu for the Culebra area over the next couple of weeks. Gotta be straight with you – it's a pretty lean run. The single spot we’ve got intel on, The Reef (Culebra), is a very consistent reef break that needs the right conditions to fire, and unfortunately, the stars just aren't lining up for the foreseeable future. The entire 16-day window is looking like a write-off for decent surf.

The water temp at this exposed north-facing reef is sitting at a warm 84°, which is about average for the time of year.

Right from the get-go, Saturday the 4th of July, we’re seeing tiny 0.7ft swells from the north with a short period around 7 seconds, and a fresh 19 mph ESE wind is blowing cross-offshore. That wind state would normally clean things up, but there's just no energy in the water (combined energy of all swells directed here is only 6). It's a total flat spell that drags on all through Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday morning. The swell energy stays critically low, barely registering on the scale.

We get a brief pulse on Tuesday the 7th of July, with the swell jumping to 6ft from the east. However, the period is a short 6 seconds and the wind is a messy cross-shore at 22 mph, which is a strong breeze. The wave state is described as "fresh cross-shore with lumpy cross-chop." While the combined energy of all swells directed here hits a moderate 191, the onshore wind and short period are just going to turn it into a bumpy, weak closeout. Not worth getting excited about, and likely too big for beginners at 6ft. Wednesday the 8th looks much the same with a bit more size and even stronger wind.

It all drops away again from Thursday the 9th through the weekend of the 11th. The swell fades to almost nothing, with the occasional 1ft pulse from the northeast, but the wind stays on it, keeping the ocean lumpy and uninviting. The only moment that might offer a tiny window is Saturday the 11th morning, with a 5ft east swell showing moderate energy of 211, but the cross-shore wind will ruin it again. That’s as good as it gets, and it’s not good.

The second week is a continuation of the same sad story. Small swells, short periods, and persistent cross-shore winds. The combined energy of all swells directed here rarely climbs above 100. It’s a long, blank run for paddle surfing that looks set to last the full 16 days.

If you’re really desperate, you might find some kite potential on the big east-wind days like the 7th and 8th of July, given the reef setup and decent wind, but for a surfboard? Leave it at home. Forecasts can change, but right now, there’s nothing to recommend. This is one of those times where the blank run is just normal for the region.

Rusty.

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