
Surf Forecasts:
The Reef (Culebra) surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, ENE swell with 228 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 1.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 11PM. 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Reef (Culebra) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve got the lowdown on the surf outlook for The Reef in Culebra. Let’s be straight with each other – this one’s a tough run. The next 16 days are looking pretty grim for a proper paddle session. We’ve got wave energy, but the conditions just aren’t lining up for a classic surf. The water is sitting at a warm 84°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first few days this week, from Monday, July 20th through to Thursday, July 24th, are a write-off. We’re looking at small, short-period swell – around 3ft to 3ft from the east and northeast, with a period of just 6 to 7 seconds. That’s not enough push for a proper wave, and the wind is a real problem. It’s blowing cross-onshore or straight cross at 12 to 19 mph, making everything choppy and messy. The combined energy is weak, sitting between 46 and 93 – not enough to get excited about. The models are screaming “poor surf conditions” and I’m not going to argue with them.
Friday, July 24th and into the weekend, the swell starts to pick up a bit, hitting 4ft to 5ft from the east, but the wind stays a problem. It’s a fresh cross-shore breeze at 19 mph, so while the energy climbs to 231, the wave face is going to be lumpy and cross-chopped. It’s not clean, and it’s not inviting. This is a reef break that’s exposed to the north, and we’re getting swell from the east and northeast, so the direction isn’t ideal for the setup.
By Sunday, July 26th, we get a bit of a change. The wind drops to a cross-offshore 16 mph in the afternoon, and the period stretches to 8 seconds. The combined energy is still moderate at 107, but the surface cleans up. Still, the swell is only 3ft, so it’s marginal. Not a standout, but the best of a bad bunch for the first week.
The following week, from Monday, July 27th through to Sunday, August 2nd, the pattern is similar. Cleaner conditions with cross-offshore winds, but the swell is still small and short-period. The combined energy fluctuates between 108 and 194. The heights are around 3ft to 4ft. It’s surfable on a longboard, sure, but there’s no punch or power. The real issue is that this swell is from the east, and The Reef is a spot that really needs swell from the north to shine. The wave comment stays “poor surf conditions” right through, so nothing is clicking.
The final few days of the forecast, looking at August 3rd and 4th, we finally see some size. Swell hits 5ft to 5ft from the east, with a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy climbs to 250, which is moderate wave energy. That’s the biggest swell we’ll see. But the wind is back to cross-shore, with a fresh breeze kicking up a lumpy chop. It’s not the clean, offshore day we need to make the most of the size. The energy is there, but the quality is missing.
The best on offer? Honestly, there’s no true standout. If I had to pick a window, the afternoons of Sunday, July 26th, and then the cross-offshore days like Tuesday, July 28th or Wednesday, July 29th, offer the cleanest conditions. But the swell is just too small and short-period to get excited. The bigger swell at the start of August is too messy. This is a time for a longboard and low expectations, or maybe just wait for the next system.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 26°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 27°C on Thu afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 6 | E 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
73 | 28 | 40 | 64 | 78 | 63 | 55 | 67 | 62 | 65 | 131 | 93 | 120 | 114 | 215 | 191 | 149 | 186 | 107 | 133 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 6:56PM0.34m | 4:40AM0.16m | 7:40PM0.35m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:59AM-0.02m | 2:06AM0.15m | 11:49AM-0.03m | 2:44AM0.15m | |||||||
— | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 3 | — | 3 | 2 | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SE 6 | — | ENE 9 | NE 8 | — | — | SE 6 | ENE 8 | S 8 |
12 | 26 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 63 | 55 | 67 | 62 | 65 | 18 | 28 | — | 7 | 16 | — | — | 1 | 107 | 1 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 5 | ENE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | — | SE 5 | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | 6 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 5 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 6 | E 7 | SE 5 | E 8 |
73 | 28 | 40 | 64 | 78 | 16 | 14 | 32 | 31 | 44 | 131 | 93 | 120 | 114 | 215 | 191 | 149 | 186 | 20 | 133 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 454 | 69 | 270 | 243 | 77 | 186 | 69 | 69 | 105 | 878 | 68 | 825 | 270 | 414 | 200 | 871 | 414 | 79 | 79 | 74 |
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.










